South Dakota // 30 August
After several hundred miles of straight road and flat landscape the Badlands suddenly appeared. The change in the landscape was incredible. We visited Badlands National Park on route to Custer, so spent a few hours driving through the park, stopping to take in the views and grab photos, then stopping at the famous Wall Drug Store which we’d seen hundreds of signs for on approach.
The flat expanse …
Badlands National Park …. The whole area was once a shallow lake and the layers of sediment laid down over millions of years are now exposed from wind and rain. The striped colours show the different layers of minerals deposited at different times.
Wall Drug experience… We stopped in for lunch and luckily arrived just before several tourist coaches. This place is a destination! They were well set up to cater for the influx of tourists. Originally a drug store and still run by the original family, this place has a crazy huge dining area, super speedy service, and every souvenir and photo opportunity you could imagine. They first drew tourists in with their free ice water and still serve 5cent coffee!
