Diaries Magazine

The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2

Posted on the 06 May 2014 by Shangi @lifefruitbasket
DAY 2 Wyoming→South Dakota→Minnesota
Well, I pretty much dozed off the whole entire time we passed from Colorado to Wyoming since seeing so much of the same thing---grass, grass, grass and more grass---turned out to be somewhat hypnotic and it instantly knocked me out.
I was only able to snap this 'coz they woke me up for a stop over at a rest area. Then back I went to doze off.
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
To my surprise, I woke up to beautiful rolling hills and magnificent forests in South Dakota. I even spotted some horses running free on the beautiful, green land. I wish I took better photos but there's only so much you can do when you're inside a speeding vehicle.
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
We drove past a huge military convoy, I think they were transporting equipment and personnel to another base.
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
The rolling hills was just a prelude to what I would say is by far the highlight of my day, which was finally seeing the four Presidents towering over the forests at Mount Rushmore!
Walking towards the Grand View Terrace, you can see the walkway decorated with all the flags of every state. Hey, there's California on the upper left. Reprezent.
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
My first impression? It's actually not as big as I expected it to be. It looks bigger in movies and on TV. Ha!
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
Just seconds before this pic was taken, I was literally huffin' and puffin' to get up on that damn thing with my sister. That's me on the left, just in case you're confused who's who.
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
Right down below from the Grand View Terrace, they have an amphitheater with the famous sculpture in the background.
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
They have an exhibit as well right next to the amphitheater, showcasing original artifacts and the history surrounding the famous monument. Let's get our education on!
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
They used this type of dynamite to make the sculpture. Talk about extreme sculpting!
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
They use linseed oil, white lead and granite dust to repair the stone sculptures.
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
They have several trails open to the public so for those of you who are planning to visit, make sure to pack your walking/hiking shoes so you can enjoy the trails. Unfortunately, I didn't go to any of the trails since my parents were getting hungry and tired from all that time lying idle in the car so we bade goodbye to the four Presidents and started heading out to find somewhere to grab lunch at. 
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
We went down to Rapid City, South Dakota and it won me over. It’s an urbanized area but with lots and lots of trees and better scenery than what I’m accustomed to in Southern California (metro area).
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
We dropped by and tried out Perkins, which I believe is a popular franchise around here in the Mid-West, or at least the surrounding area.  It’s got a diner-vibe to it but it's definitely more homey than Denny’s.
I ordered the Southern Chicken Biscuit platter. I wasn't selfish today, I gave mom one of my biscuits. Yey!
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
Wait a minute! Is that a real cowboy I see with a Dairy Queen cup ? You go, cowboy.
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
After fattening up the cow a.k.a. ME, we started to drive out to Minnesota but not without stopping over at this really old funky Western complex called Wall Drug, in a town called Wall. The place transports you back to the old Mid-West setting when people had spurs on their boots and do gun duels in the middle of a dirt road.
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
I ain't sayin' she a gold diggah, but she ain't messin' with no broke, broke.
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
Mounted trophies and stuffed animals make an interesting décor to this souvenir slash convenience store slash food parlor. And when I say interesting, I mean scared shhh-less interesting.
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2 The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
The buffalo head leads to another room where the food parlor is at.
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
Across the other room, next to the food parlor, is a souvenir shop where they have stuff like--- Holy crap, real rabbits foot. Wait 'til Bugs Bunny hears about this.
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
Rattle snake tail. I thought this was fake, but it is 100% real. Shiver.
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
Lotion made from Buffalo tallow. Hmm. I know it may be all psychological but it smelled kinda weird…like… a buffalo smell to it.
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
Their version of  putting Windex on everything.
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
Okay, on to less gross stuff and cute novelty items like these Coke collectibles.
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
Dream Catchers
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
Old fashioned candy, taffy and popcorn.
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
The Reluctant Road Tripper: Day 2
It was a great day but an exhausting one as well. I wish I stayed longer to explore Rapid City but time was not on our side so I’m now settled in for the night in Minnesota, which ate up the rest of our day to travel to. I just had some homemade bread and some great rhubarb pie---you know what that means! S.S.B. (Sakit Sa Baboy) time. To roughly translate it, Sakit (sickness) + sa (of) + Baboy (pig) = sickness of the pig. Because you know, after you pig out, you tend to get sleepy.
So good night to all.. and to all, a good night!
Toodles!

Back to Featured Articles on Logo Paperblog