The Long & Winding Road Ahead - Day 2

Today would mark the first of a number of 'bucket list' destinations to be ticked off on this inaugural road trip in the US. It would also mark the first experience that Trace & I would have with 'glamping' where stunning nature intersects with modern luxury....well at least we hope it effin does!

With a full tank of gas, oh please it's fuel or petrol, we left Sioux Falls in our wake on course for Under the Canvas - Mount Rushmore, our glamping base for the next two nights. Tucked away within the Ponderosa and Common Juniper Pines, Under Canvas Mount Rushmore is located on an original gold mining settlement less than 4 miles from Mount Rushmore National Monument. Offering majestic views of Mount Rushmore and the surrounding Black Hills the camp is situated within Custer State Park and the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Before we arrived at Under the Canvas, we had approximately 388 miles (625 km's) of driving to complete as we travelled West across South Dakota along the I-90W. My very capable co-pilot and navigator, Tracey, plugged in the coordinates for our first pitstop, Al's Oasis. Nestled along the Missouri River in Chamberlain and Oacoma, Al's Oasis has historically been the premier resting stop for travelers along I-90. The major attraction, other than the 19th century period buildings cunningly disguised in the Las Vegas strip like parking area, is the 5 cent 'Cuppa of Joe'. Fortunately, I had a decent coffee beforehand to avoid the nasty reaction with my now rectumless waste disposal unit.

Al's Oasis...

With Al's Oasis and their dishwater coffee well in the rear vision mirror, we set off for our next destination along the I-90W, 1880 Town. My trusty navigator input the coordinates for the authentically furbished buildings and exhibits only to find that the location was closed due to COVID-19!!!

But unlike the coaches in the AFL, we did have an executable Plan B. In lieu of 1880 Town, we headed directly for the Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway to cruise through the Black Hills. The Badlands Loop may only be little ol' state two-lane road but this 31-mile stretch passes through some of the most amazing buttes, cliffs and multi-colored spires of Badlands National Park. Badlands National Park is like no place else on Earth...at least that I have witnessed! This road cuts directly through the middle of the northern most area of the park taking its visitors through a labyrinth of wonderful landscape. Its roughly 38 miles contains numerous passes, 15 overlooks and a number of trails to get and stretch the weary legs.

And You're Here...

Badlands Valley...

Badlands Lunar Surface...

Eroding Buttes, Pinnacles & Spires...

The striking geologic deposits that are Badlands contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Badlands National Park consists of 244,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires surrounded by a mixed-grass prairie ecosystem.The park protects an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets that roam this unforgiving surface. Fittingly, the Badlands National park was the location used in the filming of both "Dances with Wolves" and "Armageddon."

Prairie Doggin'...

No I'm Not a Meerkat!!!

Badlands Grasslands...

Not So Much Grass...

Ain't Nutting To Plow Here...

Well that almost concludes our 388 miles (625 km's) full day of driving...what a spectacular end to a great day. However we're not quite done yet! There is that little item of detail I referred to earlier in the piece...Under the Canvas at Mount Rushmore. Our final 60ish miles would be filled with anticipation as my navigator called out the final left / right cadence of directional instructions to the small town of Keystone. Just outside of the town was a long dirt road that lead up to the camp site that would be our home for the next two nights. First impressions were a big, fat WoW!!! The site is massive with well over a 100 tents dotted across the landscape. Our deluxe tent boasted a plush king size bed, a private ensuite bathroom with a shower, sink and flushing toilet coupled with a private deck to enjoy the night stars with a bottle of red before retreating into your upscale tent kept warm by a wood-burning stove.

The Reception Area at Dawn...

Our Deluxe Tent Interior...

Our Tent + Neighbours At Dusk...

Well that brings Day 2 to an end...after our dinner that included charcuterie plate and a honey + goat cheese plate, it was time to retreat to our marquis minus the ring master ( 😃😂😅 ) for a well earned sleep under the South Dakota stars.

Good night...look out for the next installment as we explore the region around the Mount Rushmore National Park...