Rapid City, Sioux Falls, La Crosse and then Chicago. And then from there we pootle towards Pennsylvania to hang with the Amish.
We drove, first, to the Devil's Tower. This was the first ever National Monument. It's a big giant rock tower. In fact, it features in the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Which I haven't seen. But when I do see it, I'll totally recognise the big giant rock tower thing. It's a bit spooky - eery, and other worldly. Like it's come from Mars. MAYBE IT DID.
Anyway, it was cool to see. Very big, and inexplicable - I don't know how it got to look like that. The Native Anericans have a legend to do with some children and a bear. I don't know, I think it's probably some sort of erosion. But maybe they're right. WHO KNOWS.
Then we drove onwards, past about 4,500,000 bikers, to Mt Rushmore. Now, THAT is some amazing erosion! I mean, Devils Tower is just lined and sort of cylindrical. But at Mount Rushmore the erosion has somehow formed the rock into the shape of FOUR PRESIDENTS FACES!
Just joking. It was, of course, a bear who did it.
Just joking. It was, of course, a sculptor man and a team of lackeys. It's pretty impressive, and so madly patriotic. We would just never have anything like that. Can you imagine the faces of Prime Ministers carved into Portsdown Hill? Doubtful.
Anyhoo, we pottered on, past Rapid City, to a town called Wall. Wall is famous for one thing - Wall Drug. Their drugstore, turned tourist shop and cafe. We saw signs along the highway for approx 100 miles, or similar. They advertise (via brilliant vintage billboards) along 250 miles of highway. They spend $400,000 a year on advertising. And the GENIUS of it is that the billboards offer you 5c coffee and free iced water, and it works! You stop. On a good summer day they can get 20,000 visitors.
We stayed at Anns Motel, which was lovely. Very homely and comfortable, and cheap.
Tomorrow, Sioux Falls.
-- Post From My iPhone
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