Day 4: Excitement in South Dakota

Today was one of those "relaxation" days that I have always been told about, but never really got around to doing. I always seem to have to be moving, worrying, thinking, etc. But not today. Today was a full on no thinking, enjoying South Dakota and doing whatever you damn well fell like day.

The first order of business was a 7 mile hike with my brother through parts of the Badlands (originally planned for 6.6 miles, but we found some hills we wanted to climb). This hike was through an area much different than I was expecting. There was a ton of wildlife (black tailed deer, rabbits, birds) and vegetation that neither of us expected but really enjoyed.

In order to keep my loyal readers happy, we took several action shots of the hike. Please do enjoy my white, fleshy limbs and awkward climbing poses. Also - my inability to wear clothes that are not free or related to the Sox or UNC is amazing.

After this quick hike (2 hours 15 mins) we decided to pay a visit to Wall, South Dakota. Now, as everyone that has ever driven Interstate 90 West across South Dakota knows (and really, who hasn't made this drive), Wall is famous. No, it wasn't the birth place of some big time celebrity. No atomic bombs were ever set off there and no aliens have ever landed there (so the government would lead us to believe...). No, Wall is the home of Wall Drug, which posts advertisements on billboards for the hundreds of miles leading to Wall.

This is more than your typical CVS. You can buy anything from homemade donuts (absolutely amazing and gut wrenching) to shampoo (I can finally wash my hair) to a rubber mallet for driving tent posts farther into the ground. Of course, since it is a tourist trap, there are also touristy type shops.

Need an Indiana Jones hat? They got 'em.

Going to a rodeo, but your best shirt is on your mistress' floor? Wall Drug can help you out.

Or maybe you are just a lonesome soul on the long haul looking for a little companionship. Yup, Wall Drug even has you covered there.
So after explaining to the Wall Drug SWAT team that it was just an innocent photo, we headed on down the road to Mt. Rushmore. What can I say - there are 60 foot high heads carved in a cliff side. It's an amazing feat, but what are you supposed to do after looking at them for two minutes? Well, apparently the correct actions are:

1. Buy an ice cream cone
2. Drop half of ice cream down your "Real tits are amazing" t-shirt (again, I can't make up sayings like that - we actually saw it at Mt. Rushmore. And it was evident that, no, they aren't always)
3. Do something to make your child cry, holler, screech, kick and wimper
4. Return to your car and go suffer in the tourist hell that is Keystone, SD

Unfortunately, we were too tired (although my moobs are pretty nice), so we just took a few pictures and headed back home for a quick supper and much needed night of sleep.

Off to Yellowstone tomorrow!!!