Sturgis, SD Bound

Jim and I left Forest City, Iowa Friday morning. We spent the first night in a place called Presho, SD. I was hoping to get my nails done while there but the lady at the desk said the nearest place to get your nails done was at least 50 miles away so I forgot that. Saturday we headed out on Interstate 90 W and were hoping to intersect with Judy and Mason (Jim's brother & wife). We decided after looking at maps we would meet up with them at the famous Wall Drug in Wall, SD. But first Jim and I went through the Badlands National Park. (pic to left). What an incredible place. All Jim could think of was all the Gunsmoke movies he watched and how Matt Dillon used to ride thru the Badlands to catch the bad guys. I had to keep reminding him it was just a TV show and Matt really didn't ride for 6 months at a time through the Badlands. We did meet up with Judy and Mason at Wall Drug later that afternoon. (2nd Pic). Wall Drug really has an interesting story to it. It seems this young man left his hometown with a wife and baby to start a pharmacy in 1931. His family told him not to go because people were broke and starving in that part of the country and he could never make a living. Well he decided to give it 5 years and at the end of 5 years he was beginning to think he had made a mistake. But his wife had an idea. She decided they would put signs along the highway offering Free Ice Water. Well guess what, people came and before you know it people came not only for the water but started buying other things and the rest is history. It has grown to a huge establishment offering many jobs for the community and offering not only pharmacy stuff but has many resturants, galleries, gifts, jewlry, animal displays, etc and yes they still offer free ice water! And it is still family owned and operated. We really enjoyed our visit there, especially after we found out the history. We got to our campground (No Name City Campground) late in the afternoon. Its about 3 miles from Sturgis. Judy and I went shopping on Sunday - I finally got my nails done in Rapid City which is about 22 miles from the campground; and we discovered a really neat quilt store. That evening we drove into Deadwood for dinner and casinos. None of us won anything to speak of darn it, but we did have a great time. Monday we toured Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse monuments. They are really incredible sights. Judy and I also discovered the Blackhills Jewlry and more quilt shops. Needless to say we came dragging back to the campsight and it will be an early night for all of us. We are tired!!! Hope you all are staying cool. Saturday it got as high as 111, today it cooled down to 101. It does get nice and cool in the evenings though. Take care....