Finishing up our time in South Dakota!

Sturgis, SD

We visited Sturgis on a Sunday and it was kinda sad.  Not much open and nobody was around.  I guess you have to be there for the big motocycle rally for it to be fun....yikes.

Wall Drug in Wall, SD

This place is just weird.  It was established in 1931 and it's claim to fame was free ice water for visitors.  Wall is at the entrance to the Badlands so perhaps thats the draw, but it's a giant collection of souvenir shops with a cafe, chapel, crazy taxidermy, and a drug store.  I would not put it on our "recommend" list but Bob says that kids will love it (just bring your wallet!)

The Badlands - beautiful!!

THE CORN PALACE in Mitchell, SD

Mitchell is the home of the World's Only Corn Palace!  Dates back to 1892.  The murals are changed annually and have a different theme - this year's theme was South Dakota weather. All the mural designs are made of different colored corn cobs (over 300,000 cobs).  The cobs are cut in half and nailed to the boards to create the designs. They are very cool. 

There were some 34 Palaces on the Prairie in the late 19th century (grain, alfalfa etc) ...but only the Corn Palace survived!

LESSON LEARNED:  Don't open your windows at night when you are staying in an RV park next to a farm with cows.  VERY SMELLY!!!