Where the Deer and the Antelope Play

South Dakota

On this trip, we are constantly reminded that this country is full of surprises.  For example, who knew that there were zombies in Iowa (see previous post) or fabulous beaches in South Dakota.  It's all true, my friend.  Just takes a bit of looking around.

Our hosts in Yankton, South Dakota were our wonderful friends Paul and Cora Van Olson and their family.  We picked up pizzas at Charlie's Pizza House and took them to Lewis and Clark lake.  A regular beach picnic, SD style.

John at Lewis & Clark Lake.  The bluffs on the opposite shore are Nebraska.

Joyce, Anders (aka Captain America), Cora and Paul Van Olson

But where do our feet go?

Once we hit the road, we had to prepare for days of camping ahead.  The Motorcade was a bit more crowded with full provisions on-board.

The South Dakota Corn Palace
(John! Look, John! Corn! Corn!)

I don't care how many miles you have to drive to get to the campsite in the Black Hills. There is no way you can miss the Corn Palace in SD. We will spare you the corny jokes.

Ladies of Crafty Night, this entire building is redone every year using corn and other grains.  I believe the gauntlet has been thrown...

Granted, we got to the campsite at Mt. Rushmore rather late, but the view was spectacular when we got there. We got the tent pitched and dinner cooked in the near-darkness. We also discovered that when you let the kids use the electric lantern for backyard camping (way back in Iowa), chances are that it will not be functioning when you drag it back out a couple states later...

Naturally, all was well with the world the next morning...

Sunrise over Horse Thief Lake, South Dakota

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