| Date & Weather | 6/25/02 (Tue) | Check Out | 7:30 AM (CST) |
| Milage & Route | 290 Miles (Mitchell, SD - Rapid City, SD) | Check In | 4:30 PM (MST) |
| Motel | Motel 6 | ||
| Badlands NP - America's Most Mysterious National Park Since today's main destination was Badlands NP, I planed to directly go there. However, I  happened to find an interesting place along I-90. It was "Lewis and
Clark Information Center," near Chamberlan where they set up camp
on their expedition west. There are many interesting displays such as a
replica of their keelboat, reproductions of the equipment for their camp,
and documents of Native Americans they encountered. In addition, since
it stands on the top of the hill along Missouri River, I could see brilliant
views from there. After all, it took about one hour to stay there. In spite
of spending this accidental time, it was before noon that I got to "Badlands
NP" because of "Time Zone Change." So,  I come back to "Mountain Time Zone." According to a brochure which a staff of the South Dakota Welcome Center gave me, Badlands NP is "America's Most Mysterious National Park." It was a right word that my expectation of the park stood for.  Although real impression of the park was not so impressive as I had expected,
its scenery was fully satisfying to me. Above all, the contrast among beautiful
green grassland, strange-shaped rocks, and rugged cliffs was the most impressive.
I think although shape of its erose rocks and cliffs really seemed "Badlands."
However, as to color, the park was rather  beautiful lands. Although wild animals such as Buffalo and Prairie Dogs
which I had expected didn't appear, I hope I can see them tomorrow because
the Custer State Park where I will visit is famous for habitat of unusual
wild animals. |
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| What I Learned Today - Was "Wall Drug" Really Drug Store? After visiting at Badlands NP, I looked in at "Wall Drug" to drink its famous free water; Although "Wall Drug" suffered "The Great Depression" in the end of 1920s, it had survived  because an idea of serving free water to passing travelers led to its
big success. At first, "Wall Drug" looked like an amusement park
or a shopping mall rather than a drug store. According to its brochure,
"Wall Drug" fills prescriptions and carries a full line of remedies.
However, I couldn't find any evidence of it there. |
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