Days 17 & 18

So, everyone tells you that stepping into the Badlands is like entering another country. That's because it's really the only way to describe it. The stark, rocky formations are out of this world, eery and beautiful at the same time. I could have cruised through them all afternoon, but Jun and I got caught in a little storm and the gravel roads were slippery and bumpy and my darling husband was ready to pull the plug early instead of taking the scenic loop around.

Right as we were getting out of the car to take a few pictures, a coyote crossed our path and dozens of prarie dogs popped up through their holes to stare at us. I've had a soft spot for these critters since we studied them in school in third grade.

After the Badlands, we cruised past the infamous Wall Drug without giving in to its beckoning billboards, cut through Rapid City and soon found ourselves winding through the mountains in sight of Mount Rushmore. We took the trail that leads you closer and closer to the monument, and each time I saw it I was in awe at the detail and scale. Giant presidential faces! In the mountainside! How crazy is that?

We went next to the Crazy Horse Memorial, which my friend Marisa found more dazzling than Rushmore, and I'm inclined to agree. It's not even close to finished since the original sculpture died, but it's massive and incredibly moving. Honestly, we are on a fairly tight budget and didn't pay the $20 to enter the area, but seeing it from the road was more than enough.

Lodging that night took place in the form of a covered wagon straight out of Little House on the Prairie. Cozy and sparse, and when I woke up Jun in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, the stars were so brilliant I nearly tripped and fell.

The next morning, we drove through the winding mountain roads of Custer State Park and soaked up the incredible vistas for hours. Down in the grasslands, a herd of donkeys was blocking the road, moseying up to cars in search of a snack. Then a little bit further, buffalo were wandering across the pavement and causing a ruckus. I had been waiting to see one in the wild all week. So worth it. Although, I did feel bad about having a bag of bison jerky in the car.  And I had eaten buffalo ravioli for dinner the night before, but they didn't need to know about that.

You can see straight up their noses from here.