South Dakota (Part Two)

Driving West on I-90, past the Missouri, something amazing happens: the Badlands National Park on one side, the Black Hills on the other. The green fields of South Dakota become the amazing wild west. Rock formations that remind me of the old John Wayne movies that i use to love as a child. Driving down the road (above), i feel very small, and humble. I think about how ironic it is that i keep looking for roads that lead to beautiful places, and at the same time i don't believe there is a marked road for me. And i take the moment to be kind to myself.

My friend Molly sent me all her Indigo Girls CD collection to the motel in Sturgis, SD. I love her so much for this wonderful gift. Before we drove in, yesterday early evening, we had been driving around the Black Hills:

(Mount Rushmore, SD)

What an amazing day yesterday. Two nights ago we camped in the Badlands National Park. Setting up the the tent was easy, and painless. We spent the afternoon driving around the Badlands loop, stopping at every viewpoint, breathing the west. The night was filled with stars, and cold air. The morning brought rain, and i awoke with gentle taps, and it was beautiful.

(the view from our tent)

South Dakota has proven itself. It is, by far, the most beautiful state we've seen since we left New York. Today we drive to Cody, door to Yellowstone. I will be sad to leave the dessert behind.