Libations: South Dakota Before the Crowds of Summer.

We are here early, and many of the places we could camp with our trailer are still closed. Many spots don't open until May 1. It has made things more difficult, but I'm not sorry we came at this time of year. All the attractions are quiet and empty. We've enjoyed having National Parks to ourselves (at least it feels that way). I knew that because our timing was dictated by the total eclipse, we could have chancy weather, and we have, but it all worked out for the best, because South Dakota is amazing!

We moved through the state from East to West, and after leaving the family farm near Vermillion, we went directly towards Badlands National Park, with a stop at the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site first. Our weather for exploring the park was perfect, cool but sunny. We only did one short hike, but we stopped at every pullout all the way through the park to the city of Wall. I especially loved the big views, big prairie dog towns, and big bison. As we left the park, several of the bison blocked our road out and posed for photos at the park entrance sign. Perfect.

A quick and corny stop.

Our campsite in Chamberlain, SD.

Out our back window.

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site.

Looking good in Badlands.

Every view a masterpiece.

Russ takes a hike.

View from the Cliff Shelf Nature Trail.

Amazing erosion features.

Only the backs of the signs were stickered.

Painted hills. The colors are from different minerals in the soil layers.

Prairie dog town.

Homesteads did poorly here.

A long way down the wall to the valley.

A bison goodbye to the park.

Charlie Russell, one of my favorite western artists.

Lots of western art at Wall Drug.

Everyone stops here; there are not many other choices.

Sunset at American Creek Campground.

Moonrise at American Creek Campground.

Next up in South Dakota... the Black Hills. We started with Mount Rushmore National Memorial and then the Crazy Horse Memorial. Mount Rushmore benefited from a small number of visitors when we were there, and I did enjoy our walk, but I have mixed feeling about Mt. Rushmore because of the outright theft of native lands by the United States after the discovery of gold in the Black Hills in defiance of our treaty obligations agreed to in the Treaty of Fort Laramie. The Monument displays showed the Lakota traditions and their original use of the land, but never once showed the despicable treatment they suffered. The sculptor was celebrated, but there was no mention of his involvement with the KKK. The drive around and through the Black Hills was beautiful though, and we stopped for a nice lunch at Miner Brewing Company.

Breakfast at Bestro. A nice surprise.

My favorite part of Mt. Rushmore was the solar panel covered parking.

Standard selfie.

The rock formations with the pine forest was stunning.

More stone and trees.

Uplifted layers.

Tunnel.

Great beer.

A nice selection of healthy food, too.

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Crazy Horse Memorial.

When it is finished. Someday.

We spent the following day in Rapid City, enjoying the trappings of civilization and getting chores done. After a coffee shop breakfast, we couldn't resist Mary's Mountain Cookies. Recommend. Next up was the Museum of Geology at the South Dakota School of Mining and Technology. They had a good collection. Finally we finished up our day in town with a late lunch/early dinner at Firehouse Brewing Company.

Mmmm.

Help finding the building on campus.

Lots of rocks.

So lovely. It reminds me of the sea.

Russ loves rock and bone museums.

Spring arrives on campus.

These were all over town to promote Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Bravo.

Going in.

Meat free burger. Russ had shepherd's pie.

Our spot above Rapid City.

Wind Cave National Park needed an early start, since I did not get tickets for a cave tour in advance. We were again blessed to be here before the majority of seasonal visitors, and were able to get tickets to the early Natural Entrance Cave Tour with Ranger Louise. I will always go to any national park I can; every one is a great example of the best this continent has to offer. Wind Cave has unique "boxwork" formations and a mixed-grass prairie surface full of bison and prairie dogs. Again, we put together several short hikes through different areas of the park for a more varied experience.

Mixed-grass prairie.

Bunny near the visitor's center.

The natural entrance. Too small to use.

Dark when not lit. One part of the tour turned off all the lights. I loved it.

Narrow passages are typical of this cave.

Boxwork.

Not many people at Wind Cave today.

Prairie Vista Trail.

More Prairie Vista Trail.

Spring flowers on the prairie.

Bison scratching post.

Big view and Ponderosa Pine.

Butting heads.

Lily.

Russ takes a picture.

Rankin Ridge Trail.

Views all around.

Lookout tower on Rankin Ridge.

Bison and Prairie Dog.

Dinner at Joe's Place. Veggie wrap with onion rings.

Sunset from the R-Pod.

Another great coffee joint.

Essence of Coffee.

Hailstorm! Biggest hail I've seen, plus thunder and lightning.

Our final attraction in South Dakota was the town of Deadwood. We stopped there in the middle of our driving day to eat lunch at Jacob's Brewhouse & Grocer. Honestly, it was the best food of the trip so far, and the place had a great vibe.