It has been a few years since we drove across South Dakota on I-90. I have to admit, I wasn't looking forward to this stretch. So many times, it was an "endurance" situation to just get across the state. Today was different.
South Dakota is divided between "East River" and "West River"... the Missouri River being the dividing line. East River is farmlands and Sioux Falls (SD's largest city). West River is ranchlands, high prarie, the Black Hills, Rapid City (SD's second largest city) and a more independent spirit. We fit in better in West River.
We laid over in Mitchell, waiting for the 1.5 to 2 feet of snow that fell over the weekend to melt. Looking at the SD-DOT Road Conditions, and seeing the evidence of vehicles that had gone into the median or off the side, I'm glad we stayed put.
Now, about that title to this post... South Dakota doesn't have a ruling against highway billboards. Personally, I think that is a good thing - the billboards give you information. On these long stretches of not-much, they also provide some entertainment: something to read. Seeing what new billboards have gone up in the past few years.
Of course as anyone who has traversed South Dakota can attest, Wall Drug is the granddaddy of highway billboards in this stretch...
We saw several flocks of white pelicans making their migration north (many of these are "winter Texans")...
Crossing from East River to West River at Chamberlain, you get a brief glimpse of one of the lakes formed by the Missouri River (known as South Dakota's Great Lakes)...
The terrain changes, from farmlands to rolling high planes prarie...
A sign I haven't seen before in South Dakota...
This is wide open country - this speed limit makes sense. (A West River idea, I'm guessing)
Then, what I was hoping to not see: the first bits of snow...
Then, more...
And more...
I was hoping to not see snow on the road. Guess I must be living right. The heaviest snow was reported in the Black Hills; these photos were 100 miles from the Hills. And then, the snow lessened... a strong southerly wind... not warm, by my standards, but the temp was into the 50s, and the snow was melting fast.
Melting snow is a sign of springtime in South Dakota. So are construction zones...
Not a fan of those orange signs, but this wasn't a bad situation.
Another new sign...
No, that's not a new attraction - Pioneer Auto Museum has been around since I can remember... but it was called "Museum"... I guess "Auto Show" sounds more fun and less educational? Plenty of new signs.
And more Wall Drug Signs...
I was running along at 58 to 59 mph... sometimes with a quartering tailwind, sometimes with a crosswind. But, I've found that speed gets me the best MPG. I once accused a friend of mine of "driving so slow that we got passed by a VW bus full of nuns, who flipped us off and said, 'Drive it or park it!!' "...
Hey, look - a sign for Hart Ranch...
That's our destination for today. We have been members there since the early 90s. It is the RV park that we compare all others to.
Near Wall, SD (yes, the home of Wall Drug), you get a glimpse of what makes up the Badlands...
No time to take the Badlands Loop this time. Another trip, we will come back and play tourist.
We gawked at the changes as we drove on the outskirts of Rapid City. Down Hwy 79 and checked in at Hart Ranch...
Nice paved double wide sites. Full hook-ups. All kinds of amenities that we won't use on this short stay. It has been 4 years since we were last here, and we just wanted to see the place again... it is one of the few parks in the country rated 10/10/10, and it is kept up very nicely. I'm looking forward to some time here when we can kick back and enjoy.
And... no snow! Amazing how fast that melted off!
We plan to add to our summer "island supplies," then roll again.
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