South Dakota, Part Two

When people say there's nothing to do or see in South Dakota, they simply haven't looked. There's a lot to see. In fact, I'm going back when I can, to see the stuff I missed this go around, especially in the Badlands/Black Hills.

I think next time I come out here, I will focus more on my geology/paleontology/anthropology interests. I even brought my rock hammer this time. I haven't used it yet. I am just too dazzled by the wonder of it all. I keep getting flashbacks from my college geology days. I know I have forgotten a lot, but images and facts pop into my head every once in awhile. I'll have to do some brushing up until I get back here, so I won't look like a complete doofus.

So back to the trip.

The first photo show the breech of a 16 inch gun from the BB-57 USS South Dakota. That little white semi-circle is a US Quarter Dollar coin to better show scale. The gun is a monster.

The second photo shows some relics in the BB-57 South Dakota museum. That Japanese flag and the two signal flags on either side, are ones "liberated" from the battleship INS Nagato. That was the last surviving dreadnought in the Japanese Navy. It was in the fleet that attacked Pear Harbor. That piece of metal in the case to the left is a piece of the battleship USS Arizona. The Nagato was later used as a target in a couple postwar nuclear tests in the Pacific.

My next stop was Ellsworth Air Force Base, Air & Space Museum, just outside Rapid City, SD. It is home to a B-1B Lancer squadron, and thus the major focus was on bombers. It wasn't a bad museum. They did have a nice outdoor static display of some significant aircraft: B-29, B-52, FB-111, and a B-1B lancer, as well.





The next item is Mount Rushmore. Not much to add about that except this was my third visit. It still amazes me. They have really improved the monument viewing area over the decades. I had fun taking pictures of the Japanese tourists taking pictures. It seems they all want to pose as if they are holding it up with their hands. Weird. Mebbe they want to feel like a Godzilla monster or something.

For the most part, my photos speak for themselves; nothing to add. But if you haven't seen it, it's worth the $10 parking fee. The buffalo burger wasn't bad, either. My only souvenir from there is another squished penny. Yup, first class all the way!




Next, I just happened to be in Sturgis, SD for the annual Bike Week festival. Really. Obviously, driving through in a "cage" wasn't in the spirit of the thing, but as it was a Challenger with a big-ass HEMI, I was accepted and I got more than a few "thumbs up". I imagine some of the gals and 'wannabees' wished they were in my air conditioned comfort. Aleksandra was happy enough. She slept through the whole thing. She perked up when I next went to Deadwood, SD. Now THAT is a place to go anytime. No photos from there because it too was packed with Bikers and I had to pay attention to my driving. I'm going back there.