July 6, 2006

July 6, 2006

Palisades State Park is six miles north of I90. Somehow I take a wrong turn and end up crossing the highway where no entrance ramp exists. We find some unpaved country roads that take us to the next exit cloverleaf. The RV is not meant for four-wheeling. The unpaved road shakes every glass item we have and covers the entire exterior in so much dust I can taste it.

We head west to Sioux Falls, I think the largest city in South Dakota. It is on very few tourist agendas, but we head to see the waterfalls that are the namesake of the city. The Big Sioux river almost encircles the town and the falls are located in a nice park near the center of town. The city fathers have done a nice job restoring the falls closer to what they might have looked like two hundred years ago. In 1881, a dam was built and the water bypassed to run a grain mill and later electrical generators. They are now only ruins. I also learn that two hundred years ago, the prairie grass ran right up to the edge of these rivers. It was only with the homesteaders did trees appear which now line most rivers.

Heading west again, we hit the city of Mitchell to see the Corn Palace which is on most maps. Expecting a tourist gimmick and a quick photo opportunity, I am pleasantly surprised to encounter a nice town. The corn palace is actually a multi-use municipal auditorium/arena, that is decorated on the exterior and interior with mosaics of corn and other grains. The decoration has been completely redone in changing themes almost every year since the 1890’s. It’s original purpose was to celebrate the bountiful harvest at the end of the season. We have a tasty lunch of smoked pork sandwiches down the street in a cute western saloon. We also stop at Cabella’s retail store. I am disappointed. Aimee and I both like Bass Pro Shops better.

We head west again till we hit the Missouri river. It is still very wide here and looks like what I had imagined. A broad river with high mostly barren banks. We spend the night here in a private campground. What it lacks in scenery, it makes up in internet and cable TV access and shower facilities. It feels good to be a little closer to civilization for awhile.