Badlands and DeSmet, SD, into NE and IA

We left Arrow Campground on Monday, August 4th and drove the Badlands Loop road.  It was another one of those WOW moments as soon as we drove through the entrance and parked in the overlook section.  The incredible rock formations looked like we were on another planet!  There were buttes, jagged peaks, a stark barrenness and then beyond that lush grasslands.  It was another major picture taking day.  Each rock formation was different and I didn't want to miss any.  I did the same thing with fall leaves when we were in New England a few years ago.  Gene asked if I was going to take a picture of every tree from New England to Florida.  I tried to.  We took about four hours to travel about 40 miles, with many, many stops and then stopping at the Visitor Center to view their exhibits.

We traveled on to Ft. Pierre, SD and stayed at Oahe Recreation Area.  It used to be a COE, but is now managed by the State.  They had nice clean restrooms, which I always appreciate.  On previous trips, I have always wanted to know where I was going to spend the night and have a reservation, if possible.  This trip I have learned to relax more in that area.  There have been many times when we just arrived at a state park, county or city park or corps of engineers park without a reservation, paid our fee and settled in for the night.  It does reduce the stress of keeping to a schedule "have to be in such and such a place tonight".  So, I'm living proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks.

Tuesday and Wednesday we stayed in DeSmet, SD - the "Little Town on the Prairie".  Laura Ingalls Wilder actually wrote four books about her time spent in DeSmet.  This is the town where Pa and Ma finally settled.  Pa had the homestead, but also owned several stores there at various times.  Laura and Almonzo Wilder met and married here, then later moved to Mansfield, MO.  We visited the cemetery and saw the graves of Charles, Caroline, Mary, Carrie, Grace and Laura and Almonzo's baby boy.  I normally don't visit cemeteries, but this was special.  Many of the buildings have placards in the window giving the history of the building in relation to Laura's books.  The streets were very wide.  When we asked one of the long time residents, she said, "They needed to be wide enough for the horse and wagons to pass". We met very friendly people there.  It has the wonderful small town, "everyone helps everyone" atmosphere.  Gene didn't want to leave.  Were it not for the dreadfully cold winters, it would be a lovely place to live.

Prairie grass in the Big Slough

We headed south to Gavin Point Dam.  As we crossed over the dam, we entered Nebraska.  Usually when we enter a state I take a picture of the state sign.  As they were doing work on the road, there was no sign, so we didn't realize we were in a different state until we went to the Gavin Point Dam/Lewis and Clark Visitor Center.  They had an excellent history about the Army Corp of Engineers, which began back when George Washington was president.  They actually worked on the White House and Washington's Monument.  Off again the next morning heading for IA.  We stopped at Sioux City and visited the Sgt. Charles Floyd monument.  He was the only member of the Corps of Discovery (Lewis and Clark Expedition) who died on the trip.  (They think it was a ruptured appendix).

That evening we stayed at Lewis and Clark State Park at Onawa, IA.  There we met another Roadtrek couple, David and Sally, from SC.  One usually does not see many Roadtreks, so there is an instant bond when you cross paths.  After a nice visit, we went over to the campfire of another  group of  folks who meet together once a month at different campgrounds.  They are all from the Iowa area and we enjoyed spending time with them.  Off and running the next morning to Missouri Valley, IA, on the Loess Hills Scenic Byway where we stopped at the Lavender Farm.  The owners were visiting in Sequim, WA and saw the lavender fields there, came back, waited for land to become available and started their own farm in 2009.  This past year the winter was so hard that they lost 1200 plants.  They have replanted and the fields should be blooming again next year.  There was still the very relaxing fragrance of lavender in the store and we had to make a few purchases. 

While there, Deb told us of Watson Station in Missouri Valley.  Well, you know we had to go check it out.
There was a city park with electric hookups, so we decided to spend the night.  They have a little train you can ride and a museum relating to the railroad history in the area.  At that point I was rather weary from the constant pace we've kept, so a long nap was more appealing to me.  Gene took his usual "walk around and explore" jaunt.  We later learned that this is a hub for engine and engineer exchange.  The brochure said "70 trains pass in a day."  I can assure you they pass in the night too!  I understand they must blow the whistle for safety's sake when they come to a crossing, but that still doesn't make for a restful night.

The next morning, somewhat bleary eyed, we were on the move again.  We had a great breakfast at Penny's Diner (where Gene had wifi and could play his game and check Facebook) before going to the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge.  In the 1800's the steamship Bertrand was headed for Wyoming when it struck a submerged log and sank there in the Missouri River.  In 1968 and 1969, they were able to retrieve the ship with over 200,00 items.  Many of these items are now on display at the Refuge.  It was a many varied collection of glassware, clothing, tools, mining equipment, etc.  We then went to Council Bluffs, IA.  There we found the Lewis and Clark monument where they had indeed had a council with the Oto Native Americans.  It has been intriguing to stop at so many places where Lewis and Clark also stopped.  It really makes history come alive.

That evening was our last night in Iowa at Lake Manawa State Park, Council Bluffs.  So, this is a good stopping place for now.  Until my next post, God's blessings to all our friends and family.