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Heeeeeeeyyyy Duuuude...(insert horseshoe emoji)

9/28/2016

19 Comments

 
Being out in the Wild West makes me think of that classic 1990's Nickelodeon show. Those kids sure made ranch living look fun and easy!
After saying goodbye to family and friends in Chicago, we spent a few days hunkered down in a house on the Illinois River. A few days ago, we started our good old fashioned road trip by heading up to Madison, WI and paying our good friend Dom a visit. Thanks, Dom, for letting us sleep in your comfortable bed, play with your awesome puppy, drink all your wine, and eat all your food!
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We left Dom and Abe in Madison and drove straight through Minnesota and into South Dakota. We made a pit stop to take a photo of the famous Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD - a building fully encased in corn cobs. This year's theme was Rock of Ages! Unfortunately, we breezed through after everything closed for the night, so we couldn't learn more about this wonder of the West. Or pan for gold in the little tourist trap that lined the downtown street in front of the palace.
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We spent the next day in Badlands National Park, a land of stone formations and wild prairie. Cool landscapes and lots of animals. In addition to thousands, maybe millions, of little prairie dogs (who sometimes run across the road in front of your car,) the park houses a herd of about 800 American Bison. We spotted a few in the distance, munching on the grass, and one right beside the road. There was even a coyote digging in one of the prairie dog towns, possibly looking for lunch!

[Random Notes from Jake (RNFJ):
1) Badlands feels desolate and awesome in some parts. The pictures taken here channel scenes from the movie Interstellar. If you are a fan you have to go and visit for yourself!
2) The prairie dogs are awesome. You could watch them for hours the same way you would "people watch" outside the Louvre in Paris.
3) The bison by the road we saw was VERY skinny / famished. The ones in Wildlife Prairie Park in Peoria, IL seemed bigger.]
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The Black Hills is also home to Mount Rushmore. Since we are in the area (and good, patriotic American citizens,) we stopped by and said hello to Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln.

[RNFJ: Although an extremely patriotic thing for an American to do, I was surprised how many internationals enjoyed visiting a mountain carving of four American presidents. (I assume this is the same feeling when there are thousands of Americans visiting a larger than life Buddha in Thailand.) Fun fact, Thomas Jefferson is the first person to have written down a recipe for ice cream. So we bought into that gimmick and got ice cream.
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About an hour south of Mount Rushmore is Wind Cave National Park, lesser known than its Badlands cousin. Wind Cave is one of the most complex cave systems in the world and home to 90% of the world's known boxwork, a type of formation which looks similar to honeycomb. We went underground for one of the tours and walked (stooped in some places) the same route people explored over a hundred years ago.
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Within Custer State Park sits South Dakota's tallest mountain, Black Elk Peak (which up until August 2016 was known as Harney Peak.) From Sylvan Lake, we hiked one of the many trails up to the summit where there is an old fire tower and 360 degree views of the Black Hills. At the top, a mountain goat and her kid were having lunch on the mountainside. 
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Micro Moment of the Day
In Badlands, Jake spotted this little ground squirrel scarfing down a snack, fattening up for winter.
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19 Comments
Aniteb
9/28/2016 11:57:04 pm

I, too, have been to Mt. Rushmore, the thirsty Badlands, and the Mitchell Corn Palace. The land is taken for granted by Americans.... Thank you for appreciating the beauty!

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Jake
9/30/2016 11:36:26 pm

Thanks for reading, and you were 100% right about the tourist trap town that is Wall Drug, SD
"free ice water"!

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Jake
9/30/2016 11:48:16 pm

Just want to clarify this statement. The people of Wall, SD are wonderful and hospitable...my above comment was simply to say that the family member who first told me about traveling through SD mentioned everything so perfectly I had to give credit where credit was due to an excellent memory!
#teachers

Ana
9/29/2016 12:04:29 am

Everything looks amazing. I'm glad you guys are getting a chance to explore nature and some of the quirky human offerings around the country. I hope you keep up these in-depth and thoughtful blog posts.

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Jake
9/30/2016 11:37:52 pm

Ana thanks for stopping by to read the blog! You inspired the Interstellar comment!

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Solomon
9/29/2016 11:51:35 am

Great pictures/commentary, love the nature and wildlife! The Badlands and Wind Cave look incredible.

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Jake
9/30/2016 11:38:46 pm

Sol--
Thanks for checking the blog for a quick read at lunch!
Thanks to you we are officially "vagabonding"

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Marco vallej
9/29/2016 04:38:35 pm

Ohh man...the adventure truly begins. I'm so looking forward to reading this. Be safe and hope to be able to cross paths soon!

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Jake
9/30/2016 11:40:14 pm

Marco--
Thanks for the comment man!
We are looking forward to the portion of the trip where we synch up with you.
Also, I think you should become a food network host who just drives around and enjoys delicious food! People would want to watch you do that I think!

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Bryce
9/29/2016 07:50:10 pm

Pics look great!!! So excited for you two that you're going on this amazing adventure together! Looking forward to hearing some stories and following your journey. :)

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Jake
9/30/2016 11:41:47 pm

BT--
Mah man! Thanks for reading. When I was hiking, I was reminded of when we summited Longs Peak, CO! Dang that was a long one, but memorable and fun!

See you soon. #Dale

Jake

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Mike
9/30/2016 10:40:58 am

This journey is inspiring, even in its early beginning stages. It makes me want to quit my job and hop alongside this crazy train. Come through Boulder if you have the time!

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Jake
9/30/2016 11:42:57 pm

Mike-- thanks for reading the blog and the support!

We will see you in CO soon, then a again a bit later in VN.

#NhaTrangSailingClub

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Nicole Shorty
10/1/2016 09:52:20 pm

Hey guys....really enjoyed reading about your adventure. The pictures are great.

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Kim
10/4/2016 01:14:19 am

Thanks for checking out the blog, Nicole! Looking forward to telling you more about it next time we see you and the family!

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Chase Lisenby
10/6/2016 01:29:23 pm

What an awesome adventure! I saw Mom yesterday and she told me all about it. Have fun. Stay safe!

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Jake
10/7/2016 11:36:31 pm

Chase!
Thanks for checking in and thanks for the well wishes! Thinking of you and we have to grab a drink soon! P.s. -- Mom is the best

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M Bridgford
10/6/2016 11:41:11 pm

Thanks for taking the time to do this blog and post pics. I'm really enjoying it. Bringing back lots of great memories from past trips through SD and MT. Very special places and cultures.

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Jake
10/7/2016 11:51:27 pm

Bridge --
Yes! We are all so privileged to have MT as part of the USA. It is --as you said-- a very special place.
Also, the memories are precious and if you take care of them, they can last forever. (Or even possibly "grow")

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