| Lee
and Karen Duquette,
The Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
enjoyed the Corn Palace, Wall Drug
and more
in Mitchell, South Dakota
September 13, 2009
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South Dakota is a state located
in the Midwestern region of the United States of America and is shown
on the map above.
 South Dakota was named after
the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. South Dakota was carved
out of the southern half of the Dakota Territory and admitted to the Union
on November 2, 1889. Centrally-located Pierre is the state capital and Sioux
Falls is the state's largest city. As of 2008, South Dakota had an estimated
population of 804,194.
South Dakota is bisected by the Missouri River, dividing the state into
two socioeconomic distinct halves, known to residents as "West River"
and "East River". Fertile soil in the eastern part of the state
is used to grow a variety of crops, while ranching is the predominant
agricultural activity in the west. The Black Hills, a group of low pine-covered
mountains, is located in the southwest part of the state. The area is
of great religious importance to local American Indian tribes. Mount Rushmore
is a major state tourist destination in the Black Hills.
Historically dominated by an agricultural economy
and a rural lifestyle, South Dakota has recently sought to diversify its
economy to attract and retain residents. However, it is still largely rural
and has the fifth-lowest population density among U.S. states. While several
Democratic senators have represented South Dakota for multiple terms at
the federal level, the state government is largely dominated by the Republican
Party, which has carried South Dakota in the last eleven presidential elections. |
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| The jackalope (shown
above and below) is part-antelope, part-jackrabbit - an antlered species
of rabbit, unfortunately rumored to be extinct, though occasional sightings
of this rare creature continue to occur, suggesting that pockets of jackalope
populations continue to persist in its native home, the American West. The
Jackalope is an aggressive species, willing to use its antlers to fight.
Thus, it is also sometimes called the "warrior rabbit." Jackalopes
possess an uncanny ability to mimic human sounds. In the old West, when
cowboys would gather by their campfires to sing at night, Jackalopes would
frequently be heard singing back, mimicking the voices of the cowboys. Jackalopes
become especially vocal before thunderstorms, perhaps because they mate
only when lightning flashes (or so it is theorized). When chased, the jackalope
will use its vocal abilities to elude capture. For instance, when chased
by people it will call out phrases such as, "There he goes, over there,"
in order to throw pursuers off its track. The best way to catch a jackalope
is to lure it with whiskey, as they have a particular fondness for this
drink. Once intoxicated, the animal becomes slower and easier to hunt. |
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| Below: Badlands / White River - KOA
Campground, Interior, South Dakota - Features: swimming pool and
kids wading pool closes 8:30 P.M. - cook house serves breakfast and dinner
- nature walk - miniature golf - gift shop - basketball, volleyball, football,
softball, horseshoes, bocce ball equipment available for loan at the front
desk - 2 laundry rooms, game room upstairs above main laundry room, NO Wi-Fi
but free broadband wireless internet available within 500 feet of main building
or east restroom - cable TV with limited stations, fax service at front
desk. The two RV Gypsies seldom use any of the services offered by campgrounds
except for maybe the TV and Wi-Fi when available. They are just too busy
touring the sights of the area to be in the campground very long. |
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Below: The new yard of
the two RV Gypsies, which was very peaceful. |
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Below: A sign with a sense
of humor = Wife in car? The sign assumes the
wife does not drive! Hmmmmmmm! |
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| Below: The World's Only Corn Palace
located at 604 North Main Street in Mitchell, South Dakota.
The Corn Palace serves as a multi-use center for the community and region.
The facility hosts stage shows, as well as sports events in its arena.
The World's Only Corn Palace is an outstanding structure which stands
as a tribute to the agricultural heritage of South Dakota.
The original Corn Palace was called "The
Corn Belt Exposition" and was established in 1892. Early settlers
displayed the fruits of their harvest on the building exterior in order
to prove the fertility of South Dakota soil. The third and present building
was completed for it first festival at the present location in 1921. The
exterior decorations are completely stripped down and new murals are created
each year. The theme is selected by the Corn Palace Festival Committee
and murals are designed by a local artist. The current Corn Palace built
in 1921 was designed by Rapp and Rapp the same architects used to design
New York Radio City Music Hall.
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 Over
275,000 ears of Corn are used in the decorating the outside of the Corn
Palace each year. Each year the Corn Palace is redecorated,
selecting a new theme and new designs. All the colors of corn are naturally
grown with special seed raised just for the Corn Palace. Each color must
be planted in separate fields to maintain its pure color. |
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Below: Then the two RV
Gypsies crossed the street from the Corn Palace |
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Below: WALL DRUG |
| Lots and lots of signs on the way in advertising
Wall Drug. Actually, it is a big store - 76,000 square feet, not near as
exciting as the signs made it out to be. But it does have some unique things
such - the backyard with its Branding Iron Arcade, animated T-Rex, panning
& mining experience for fossils and gemstones, Train Station Water Show
& fun picture-taking props in a picnic area, a restaurant for sandwiches
and deserts, 5-cent coffee, lots of stores, and South Dakota made items. |
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Below: Outdoor 80 foot
dinosaur, 1 picnic table and a small slide - indoor animated T-Rex |
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Below: The Train Station
Water Show area |
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There are multiple travel options below, plus the main navigational buttons,
so be sure to choose your route carefully, and scroll completely down
this and every page.
The two RV Gypsies returned to the 
