While staying in Tucumcari, New Mexico, we explored their portion of the famous mother road, Route 66:
We had dinner at Kix on 66, a classic Route 66 diner:
Then cruised along Route 66, to take pictures of the classic architecture and signs:
exploring
Attractions and other places we visit.
Kansas rocks
While staying at Lake Scott State Park, we took a drive around some local scenery, including Battle of Punished Woman’s Fork, Monument Rocks, Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park, and Lake Scott itself, including an El Cuartelejo pueblo.
An interactive map of our route:
We started heading south from our campsite, visiting the El Cuartelejo pueblo, the northernmost and easternmost pueblo in the country:
Steele House museum:
Monument of the Battle of Punished Woman’s Fork, the site of the last battle between Indians and the United States Army in the state of Kansas:
Battle Canyon:
An interesting canyon along the road:
Monument Rocks, some impressive chalk formations:
Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park:
We walked along the quarter mile overlook trail, instead of the longer trail, since it was almost 100°F:
Little Pyramids rocks:
Back to Lake Scott State Park; here’s the lake overflow area (it is an artificial lake):
A view across the lake towards our campground:
A peek of the rear of our coach:
An interesting drive. Who knew Kansas had such scenery?!
Iron Mountain Road
Another very scenic and curvy road is Iron Mountain Road, that connects the Mount Rushmore area and Custer State Park.
An interactive map:
Bison:
There are three narrow tunnels on this road:
One-way road:
Another tunnel:
Pigtail loop road:
Low narrow tunnel:
The third tunnel:
This tunnel has a view of Mount Rushmore:
Pigtail loop road:
One-way roads:
Mount Rushmore view:
A fun drive.
Video: Custer State Park timelapse
A timelapse of driving through Custer State Park in South Dakota, one of our all-time favorite parks.
Custer State Park
Perhaps our all-time favorite state park (so far) is Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
A map:
Tunnel:
We had lunch at Sylvan Lake, then did an impromptu hike around the lake:
Sylvan Lake:
GIF of a hidden waterfall behind the lake:
Another tunnel:
Bison Center:
Wildlife Station Visitor Center:
Bison:
Pronghorn:
Prairie dog:
Visitor Center:
“Bison Poo” snack:
The Needles Eye:
Cathedral Spires Trail hike:
Legion Lake Trail hike:
A most excellent park.
Wind Cave National Park
We visited Wind Cave National Park a few times. Unfortunately the caves themselves were closed because the elevator was out of order, so we weren’t able see them, but the surface was still enjoyable, with bison, hikes, and more.
Map:
Entrance sign:
Bison:
Visitor center:
Cave map:
Bison:
Loop road:
We went for a hike on Rankin Ridge Trail:
Lookout tower:
A bison strolling along next to the road:
One-lane bridge:
We’ll have to visit again to see the caves!
Video: Badlands National Park timelapse
A series of clips of timelapse video from my 360 camera as we explored Badlands National Park.
Wall Drug
Near Badlands National Park is the town of Wall, South Dakota, and a famous roadside tourist attraction called Wall Drug Store, or simply Wall Drug. (Wikipedia.)
Billboards along I-90:
Map:
We had lunch in the cafe:
A special gravy-smothered sandwich:
The “backyard”:
Their first attraction, free ice water:
Cheesetastic.
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
“World-wide delivery in 30 minutes or less, or your next one is free.”
The Minuteman Missile National Historic Site features a visitor center, Delta-01 missile control center, and Delta-09 missile silo of the Minuteman II nuclear missile system.
Visitor Center:
We did a ranger-guided tour of the Delta-01 Launch Control Center (which requires an advance reservation):
A small elevator down:
A big door:
A video of a simulated missile launch:
Delta-09 Missile Silo:
Badlands National Park
We visited Badlands National Park several times while staying nearby. Badlands was good lands; we enjoyed exploring the park.
Here’s a map; most of the scenic stuff is in the North Unit:
An interactive map:
Relief map in the visitor center:
Exhibits in visitor center:
Pressed penny:
Badlands:
The Stronghold Unit visitor center:
Back to the North Unit:
RVers camping on the top of the wall:
Big horn sheep:
Cows on the road:
We enjoyed the badlands.