Trip planned for South Dakota
Jul 25, 2018 07:54:44 #
larryim
Loc: Ohio
I believe that part of the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway mentioned above is also called Iron Mountain Road. If I remember correctly, there are three tunnels through which you can see Mount Rushmore.
Jul 25, 2018 07:58:31 #
larryim
Loc: Ohio
I believe part of the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway mentioned above is also called Iron Mountain Road. If I remember correctly, there are three tunnels through which you can see Mount Rushmore.
Jul 25, 2018 08:18:12 #
FrankR wrote:
Don’t forget the Crazy Horse Monument, which is about 17 miles from Mt Rushmore. When it’s completed, it will be among the biggest sculptures ever, if not THE biggest.
I don't think it will ever be finished. We moved here in 1998 and I can barely tell a difference. Supposedly the arm and hand will be done in the next 10 years.
Jul 25, 2018 08:34:25 #
ken patton
Loc: Portland, OR
You should have seen it in 1976. Just a white outline/drawing on the mountain. The artist was still alive back then and you could talk to him in his studio. After he passed, his wife Ruth decided to work on the head to draw in more visitors..worked like a charm. Several times a year you can pay for entry with cans of food for donation. You can also hike up to the top and see a night blast. They're working on the hand now. All of MT Rushmore will fit on just the head of Crazyhorse....awesome! Visit Crazyhorsememorial.org for times/dates of hike, night blasts etc. Great Indian museum and more!
Jul 25, 2018 08:44:59 #
The falls in Spearfish Canyon are beautiful. Someone mentioned "Dances With Wolves". Just above Roughlock Falls is where some scenes from the movie were filmed. There is a marker there. The road thru Spearfish Canyon is designated a National Scenic Byway, deservedly so. Many pulloffs the road to shoot. Lighting is difficult as the canyon walls are steep and the canyon itself is narrow. Enjoy! I will be there late September and am looking forward to it.
Jul 25, 2018 08:52:02 #
DougS
Loc: Central Arkansas
As you drive across the 'boring' plains, you will probably want an interesting break, check out the Pioneer Auto Museum, Murdo, South Dakota. Another museum we found VERY interesting is the Black Hills Institute, Hill City, SD. It is actually a business... very extraordinary fossils, dinosaurs, etc. Then there is the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, SD.
If you want a different route home, swing up thru ND and the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, quite scenic. I was pleasantly surprised, as it was never 'on my radar' to visit.
If you want a different route home, swing up thru ND and the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, quite scenic. I was pleasantly surprised, as it was never 'on my radar' to visit.
Jul 25, 2018 09:04:04 #
steve DeMott wrote:
We are planning a trip from St. Louis, MO - Kansas... (show quote)
I would get in touch with; AAA. They usually have good advise.
Jul 25, 2018 09:06:35 #
Don't miss the Mammoth site digs in Hot Springs SD. Loved staying in Dead Wood and playing black jack at #10 salon. Who could miss boot hill in Dead Wood. Then have the buffet at the Silverado Casino. Take a drive to and through Rose Bud and experience what poverty is. The last time I was there, I took off by boots and gave them to a lad who didn't have foot wear working at a hot asphalt plant. Terry Redman gallery somewhere around Watertown is worth the time. Get off the interstate 90 and have a meal in one of the small towns not on or near the freeway. In the summer bring along a cooler with ice and things to drink. Make sure your air is charged on your car. The only cell phone service that was somewhat dependable if Verizon. Keep your gas tank full and your wallet fuller. I spent a lot of time working out there and would enjoy revisiting. The state is very big and spread out so don't think you can do it all in a week. One more tip, book you motels ahead of arrival and don't think you will get a room a week before of after Sturges bike week.
Jul 25, 2018 09:59:15 #
steve DeMott wrote:
We are planning a trip from St. Louis, MO - Kansas... (show quote)
Needles highway!!!
Jul 25, 2018 11:03:58 #
avman
Loc: Normal IL
orrie smith wrote:
Assuming this is a road trip, check out a website named roadtrippers.com. A great site to map out things to see and do on a road trip. It will show you places of interest, photo ops, places to eat and places to sleep.
Thank you for recommending this site! I travel with my disabled daughter and I would have loved to known about this site earlier this year. I now have it linked on my desktop for easy review.....
Thanks again
Aubrey and Tom
Jul 25, 2018 11:14:15 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
steve DeMott wrote:
We are planning a trip from St. Louis, MO - Kansas... (show quote)
If it is a road trip in your car take what you want. If it is a bus trip only take the 24 and the 70-300.
Jul 25, 2018 11:26:14 #
mizzee
Loc: Boston,Ma
Take less! As you're travelling around, you'll find that you'll actually use only 1 or 2 lenses 99% of the time. Were I you, I'd keep my versatile zoom on the camera. I'd take a wide angle if I had one, and a fast prime, period. The last thing you want to have to do is see something, or an animal by the side of the road and fumble around in your bag to switch lenses. By the time you've got it together, your subject may have wandered off or the light changes. I speak from experience after a multi-park tour last year. Also, remember that all of it has to be able to fit in the overhead or under your seat...
Jul 25, 2018 12:16:02 #
steve DeMott wrote:
We are planning a trip from St. Louis, MO - Kansas... (show quote)
If you are traveling by car there is really no reason not to pack any and all your gear. SD is one big state! Most of the places mentions here are in the western part but keep a lookout elsewhere. The state capital is Pierre, pronounced Peer. There is not really much there but it's location is unique, no Interstate Highway! The entire area around the city (about 40 mile radius) is not developed like other areas. It is off the beaten path but you will see lots of unusual surroundings. The Badlands are just that, but very beautiful.
Jul 25, 2018 12:29:53 #
I am a Black Hills native and love the area. Consider myself lucky to have grown up there. Custer State Park has rebounded from the fire. The grass has come back so good that I had to tone it down a little on my photos because it looked artificial. Several of the donkeys died as a result of the fire. Two were donated to the park to help out the herd, but they are all more skittish and not beggars like the originals. Recently, a new baby was welcomed to the herd. All of the suggestions previously mentioned are great. If you are into hiking, hike up Black Elk Peak (formerly Harney Peak) which is near Sylvan Lake. Tremendous views. The missile base if off I 90 west of Kadoka, not at Philip. Close to the Badlands Loop exit.
Jul 25, 2018 12:43:53 #
steve DeMott wrote:
We are planning a trip from St. Louis, MO - Kansas... (show quote)
I would take the whole kit, you will see something for every piece of equipment. Try to time your visit to Mt. Rushmore to sunset, they have a fantastic patriotic program that they do at sunset and then light up the the monument for nighttime photo opportunities. Be prepared that you probably won't be able to take all the photographs that you want without other tourists in your images, just too many there to avoid that. Belle Fourche, South Dakota has a monument to identify the geographic center of the United States that is interesting to look at, none of my 5 siblings have a picture of that for themselves. Depending on what your accommodations will be(hotels, camping, RV,etc.) maybe add extra batteries to your arsenal.
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