Deadwood, SD Area

There are a couple of highways entering Deadwood and each one has a different sign. It's a really fun town and great place to visit. Lots of things to do and shops, etc.

These are out of sync, but, we stopped to check out the town of Sturgis which was preparing for the beginning of the big Sturgis Motorcycle get together beginning on the 8th of August

It's a quaint little town, however, the happening will bring in many tourists, most of whom are on motorcycles.

We are told that during the weekly event you will not be able to get a hotel room or RV site, etc. within 100 miles because everything will be/and some already booked with no vacancies.

Stands selling all sorts of items from T-shirts, hats, motorcycle parts, etc. are already setting up all over town.

You can see some bikers are already here to check things out.

This is the trolley that runs through the Deadwood area. We used it because it was very convenient and we didn't have to worry about trying to find a place to park. We just parked on the edge of town and took the trolley here and there.

Sturgis stands getting ready for the crowd.

A well-known establishment among the bikers in Sturgis.

The main street in Deadwood where everyone is awaiting the beginning of the Deadwood Days of 76 Parade.

We were watching the parade right where the road surface changed from concrete to red brick. As you can see this little pony was not sure what to do. It seems the change in the color and texture confused several of the horses. The riders had to either dismount and coax them across the line or get help from parade workers.

This burro did not want to cooperate. He said NO WAY, NO HOW, am I going over that line.

You see they in deed needed some help to get the animals to move on down the road.

However, even after crossing over the pavement change this little burro still was in no hurry to continue on with the parade route.

This is the latest (and newest) hotel/casino added to town. We didn't go in to check it out because we had plans to go to the rodeo (perhaps next trip).

Just another hotel/casino in Deadwood. As you can see they aren't as big as the fancy ones in Vegas, etc. with all the lights and glitter (until you go inside).

More I-90 Scenes

An ad for the Reptile Gardens.

We've noticed that the cattle appear to hurdle up close to each other when inclement weather is approaching.

A storm was brewing and look at what the cattle are doing. Strange don't you think?

The sky showing the storm clouds.

More storm clouds approaching.

We were getting close to Rapid City as the storm was moving in.

Look at how green everything is here.

Most towns out here have their names on the water towers. Rapid City is no exception.

A view of the city from the hill of the RV park.

Just another view with some color to the sky.

A better view in the other direction.

The sun was shining in some areas where the storm clouds had come and gone.

We didn't realize just how big the City of Rapid City was until we got up here on the hill.

More I-90 Interstate Scenes

Along I-90 we saw some interesting advertising signs. Hope you enjoy them.

I'm not exactly sure how many miles we saw ads for Wall Drug but they started when we left Sioux Falls and continued across 2/3 of the state until we got to the town of Wall. We had to stop and check out Wall Drug since they spent so much money for their ads.

Another interesting sign along I-90.

Here's another ad for Wall Drug.

And another one. You see they came in all shapes and sizes.

I had to throw in a rock formation.

These ads are really helpful when driving across the prairie. There is often not much more than sagebrush, grasslands, etc. to look at.

Alas, we stopped in the town of Wall. Here's a Time Capsule scheduled to be opened to celebrate an anniversary of Wall Drug.

As you can see, the entire corner block is Wall Drug.

If you want it, they must have it here somewhere. We goofed and forgot to go out to what they call their backyard where they have all kinds of things to entertain the people, arcades, wildlife, music, etc.

You can go from section to the next, to the next.

There are some other shops in town too. This appears to be the main tourist section.

Another view of the main tourist shopping area.

The founders of Wall.

We weren't the only ones who had to stop to check out Wall. They have a special section behind these shops for large vehicle parking.

Sioux Falls to Rapid City, SD

Couldn't resist. No, it's not a sunset, but isn't it an interesting cloud? We had some really interesting weather while here, hot, humid, and some really crazy storms.

Some of the rolly polly hills along the highway. Again, standing water.

I'm not sure what this was an advertisement for but there it was along the highway.

The HUGE motorcycle gathering in Sturgis, South Dakota is held in August (around the 8th) and events go on for about a week. I'm told that bikes have been coming into the area for weeks already and that it has been estimated that in the past about 500,000 people go to Sturgis for the event that week. Here are some who are heading in that direction (west).

We stopped at a Visitor's Center along the highway for some info. plus a rest. What a surprise to find this excellent exhibit of wildlife and indian folklore.

A Teepee. Not much room inside.

A buffalo hide hanging on display. Note they include the tail on the hide (far right-hand side).

These etchings are on the outside the Visitor's Center. The left side of the building.

The right side of the building. Aren't they pretty.

Coming down the interestate from the Visitor's Center. We will be crossing this bridge over the Missouri River. River is really high.

Crossed a bridge over the Missouri River. As you can see, the river is extremely high.

Streams and brooks, etc. are also very high.

We are confused as to what/why some farmers/ranchers have their bales of hay rolled up into large rolls and some have the hay stacked into rectangles. Anyone got any ideas?  We are guessing just personal preference.

Anyhow, look at all the bales/rolls of hay.

More bales of hay (as far as you can see).