Day #1: (THURSDAY): APPLE VALLEY -- RAPID CITY, SD

The much anticipated road trip started....about 3 hours late!    Delays for forgotten sunglasses, store that wasn't open, unscheduled stop at post office...minor stuff.  Finally, on the road.

SCENERY:  The first Rule of the Road Trip was that whoever drove could choose the music.  Consequently, Kathryn chose to drive, even though I also came armed with what I thought would be excellent music for the 9 hours that we would be in the car:  Elvis Presley, Tony Bennett, Willie Nelson.  As Kathryn drove, I settled in for an expected boring trip through southern Minnesota and South Dakota.  What I hadn't expected to see was the beauty of miles of farmland with rows of corn, soy beans, sunflowers!!!  As far as the eye could see, from horizon to horizon.   Like a patchwork quilt with yellow sunflowers interspersed between the acres of corn and soybeans.  At every turn was another beautiful sight, another colorful "quilt."  Combined with the music that Kathryn had chosen, the beauty was mesmerizing and the time passed quickly.

 STOPS:  Corn Palace in Mitchel, SD.  Sorry, don't know the history of it at this moment  but do know that it's worth making the effort to see  as it really was quite impressive.    We jumped out of the car in 98 degree weather, took the photo, then back in air conditioning and on the road again.

 

Also a "required stop" was Wall Drug.  Great place, although it was closing at 7:30 when we got there at 7pm.  Yes, we got caught up in the photos and souvenirs. Doesn't everyone have a "Where in the Hell is Wall Drug" magnet on their fridge???

 

 

HOTEL:  AmericInn -- Arrived in Rapid City at 9PM!!  Ugh!!  Hotel had a  great swimming pool, a great way to end a tiresome day of sitting!!

LESSON FOR THE DAY:  Let Kathryn choose the music, and get out of my house every 20 years or so to see the  beauty of our United States!!!