Taking a moment to look back at old pictures. I managed to save my old phone's photos, and I am very excited! Over 600 photos I got out of it π That is how I made my Garden of the Gods and Temple Stay last week. If you are interested, check those out as well π
This post is about a trip I took with a bunch of international students from my home university last year. The most prominent attraction in my state is Mount Rushmore; it is about the only thing we are known for (no, Fargo is in North Dakota).
Anyways, I honestly didn't want to go at first since I live here but they cut a deal with me by paying my gas and food, can't argue with that now can I? So, we took off it is about a 6-hour drive from Aberdeen, SD to Rushmore. That is the same as going from Seoul to Busan (always blows my students' minds when I tell them that π).
We had your average good ole' car trip snacks, music, playing games, and smoking cigarettes the whole way. We were split into two cars, so smokers rode in my car. We shared stories and bonded and the such. When we got to Rapid City, we unpacked our stuff and got some food for later, and we were off to Rushmore, no playing around, use all that daylight. Lol
As we approached, we drove through all the touristy stuff, and my friends asked e what it was. So, I told them it is like when you go to Myeongdong (λͺ λ), and they say everything is "traditional Korean blah blah," this is what it is. Nothing is genuinely historical just a tourist trap. They understood what I meant, and it killed their desire to want to stop π Sometimes our cultures are not that different lol
Mount Rushmore
!steemitworldmap 43.8791 lat 103.4591 long Mount Rushmore d3scr
So, referring back to yesterday's Barley Festival post. When you are with a group of foreigners, people stare, and you have to cover their faces π
We may have gotten there a little later than the opportune time, but it pays off in a second.
That sky at the end, that is the beautiful part of living in the Dakotas, we at least get this full sunset every day (weather permitting).
After that, we traveled back to our hotel to have dinner. We had bratwurst, steaks, and baked potatoes. There is nothing more Midwest American than that, by yours indeed, the token white guy on the trip π Got to show off my cooking skills, but I didn't take a picture since it is so familiar for me π We also had some dark beer to pair with the steaks and liquor for the night. You all will have to take my word that it was delicious.
The hotel also had an outdoor fire pit, so if you have a bunch of foreigners on vacation with you, and you are already grilling, what is the next logical step? Freaking S'mores, man! Yeah, some of them never had S'mores, so it was a good time for sure, seeing people make their first chocolate marshmallow sandwiches π
After that, we played drinking games and drank till everything was gone. The next morning, was surprisingly not so rough. I drove the car over to a gas station to re-up on smokes and get an energy drink to wake up. They thought I abandoned them. Lol Anyways, we pack up and head to the next destination the Badlands!
The Badlands National Park
!steemitworldmap 43.8554 lat 102.3397 long The Badlands National Park d3scr
So, they have this buffalo that chills outside the park. He has a name, can't remember it off the top of my head but they advise not to approach him since he is only semi-tame and well, he is enormous! Pretty cool to see before going in!
The Badlands themselves were formed from volcanic ash deposits, along with tectonic plate movement, glacier shift, and rivers. It is called the Badlands because of how the area is not suitable for farming; nothing will grow here. For a fuller history and how it ties with the Lakota people, you can follow this link it is worth a read. Now, I am going to shut up and just let you enjoy the beauty of the badlands π
My friend was listening to the wind seemed at peace π
I decided to do a little meditation and listen to the wind as well. It was one of the most peaceful experiences I have had. The way the wind blows through the valleys makes sounds I cannot describe in words here. You have to experience it for yourself when you visit π
Prairie Dogs!!
On the way out
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How awesome! This is a for sure on my bucket list of places to visit! Thanks for sharing your awesome pictures! :)
Thanks, glad you liked it! I live in the state but I have only been to these places once. haha