Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
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The two RV Gypsies drove their RV into South Dakota
May 15, 2016

South Dakota location map South Dakota Mt Rushmore sign
teepee at the SD Welcome Center looking uyp into the teepee
Mt. Rushmore sign at the SD Welcome Center local wildlife sign at the SD Wellcome Center
sign about Pactola Lake sign of Pactola Lake

Travel Scenery

Bobblehead sign windmill part

Jackalope
601 S Burr Street Mitchell
as seen from I-90 by exit 322

The two RV Gypsies were driving on I-90 by exit 322 when they saw Jackalope and other oddities on the hill. This is the second time they have driven by Jackalope, and both times they were unable to stop because they were not sure if the area was RV friendly or what it really was. Now that Karen has done some research, they might just stop there the next time they drive through this area.

To reach Jackalope, take exit 322 off of I-90 and go north on Highway 37/Burr Road about 1/4 mile to Thunderbird Lodge. This was once a magnificent Jackalope photo opportunity but it has been sadly reduced to just a Jack without a lope! Karen was told that his antlers are gone and its one remaining horn was removed. There is or was a saddle on it so people can sit on it for a photo opportunity.

Jackalope Jackalope

The jackalope 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.

Jackalope

Below: Wall Drug Travel Signs: There are supposed to be 87 signs advertising Wall Drug along the highway. Karen photographed a few of them. (The two RV Gypsies did stop at Wall Drug and those photos can be reached from the South Dakota menu link below.)

Wall Drug earns much of its fame from its self-promotion. Billboards advertising the establishment can be seen for hundreds of miles throughout South Dakota and the neighboring states. By 1981 Wall Drug was claiming it was giving away 20,000 cups of water per day during the peak tourist season, lasting from Memorial Day until Labor Day, and during the hottest days of the summer.

Most of Wall Drug's advertisement billboards can be found on an approximately 650-mile-long stretch of Interstate 90 from Minnesota to Billings, Montana. Wall Drug spends an estimated $400,000 on billboards every year.

Wall Drug Travel Sign Wall Drug Travel Sign
Wall Drug Travel Sign Wall Drug Travel Sign
Wall Drug Travel Sign Wall Drug Travel Sign
Wall Drug sign - do Lunch

Hills RV Park and Campground
608 South Main Street
Plankinton, South Dakota
I-90 Exit 308
'605.770.0300
May 16, 2016
SPECIAL COMMENTS and PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS
OF THE TWO RV GYPSIES

Welcome to Plankinton SD sign Hills RV Park sign

The small campground office and laundry room which is inside the office.

campground office and laundry room Lee Duquette entering the office
laundry room office and pool

There were only 4 RVs in this park on this date. The roads were dirt roads with some light gravel on it. Sites were grassy. This was a Passport America park with full hookups, long pull-throughs, and a few 50 amp for only $20 a night(Passport America price). It was easy on and off of the interstate and minimal highway noise at night. No TV. There did not seem to be a lot of amenities here. The two RV Gypsies did not use the campground bathroom, pool, or anything other than parking and set-up utilities.

dirt roads the new yard of the two RV Gypsies

Menu for the two RV Gypsies in South Dakota
Sites 12-15
May 15-20, 2016

You may view these adventures in any order your choose.

(There is also a link to Wyoming at the bottom of this page)

bullet S.D. Welcome Center/Rest Area/travel (this page)

bullet Travel photos in South-Central SD

bullet Mitchell Corn Palace - site 13

bullet Badlands Petrified Gardens - site 14

bullet Wall Drug, the Jackalope and more- site 14

bullet Rapid City, The Berlin Wall, and more- site 15

bullet Bear Country USA

bullet Chapel in the Hills

bullet Cosmos Mystery Area

bullet Dinosaur Park in Rapid City

bullet Formal Gardens and sundial in Rapid City

bullet Pactola Lake, part of Black Hills National Forest

bullet Presidential Statues in Rapid City

bullet Marlins Restaurant

CAMPGROUNDS THE TWO RV GYPSIES STAYED AT IN SD

bullet Sioux City North KOA in North Sioux City, SD

bullet Hills RV Park in Plankinton, SD

bullet Belvidere East Exit 170 KOA in Midland, SD

bullet Three Flags RV Park in Black Hawk, SD

look below

go to the next adventure of the two RV Gypsies AFTER you have seen all of the above sites in South Dakota, please continue on to the adventures of the two RV Gypsies in Buffalo, Wyoming.