Day 24: Wind Cave National Park to Badlands National Park, SD via Wall

Waking up to meet the sun.

Off we go!

We had a very busy, very windy day. Departing from Wind Cave early this morning, we headed to tour the nearby Jewel Cave. This was a totally different experience than yesterday’s cave, even though the cave formation process was the same. Interestingly, almost the whole interior surface (the cave walls, floor, ceiling) of Jewel Cave is covered by a six inch layer of calcite spar. Normally spar would look like shiny white crystals but most of the cave surfaces were coated in a layer of mud dulling the sparkle of the calcite and making it look like a grey bumpy coating. We also saw some cool flowstone, a very impressive soda straw column, and a strip of cave bacon.

The ceiling at the cave entrance.

Calcite spar.

Mud covered spar crystals.

The cross sections of spar looked a bit sparkly.

Flowstone.

Stalactites.

Spar coated with grey manganese.

Cave bacon.

The soda straw column.

A quick stop to refuel at the Purple Pie Shop in Custer and we were off again.

Next on our list of adventures was the ultimate American road trip destination - Mount Rushmore. Ian and I have been here before but we were excited to see this incredible monument inspire awe in the boys. The vision and execution of Mount Rushmore, including the dedicated work of 400 men needed to accomplish Gutzon Borglum’s dream, is truly inspirational.

While in this area, a visit to Wall Drugs - a piece of Americana in its own right - is mandatory for free water, five cent coffee, the giant T-Rex show, a ride on the Jackalope, and a super fresh maple doughnut.

Can’t miss the jackalope wall.

Alistair bought me a cup of coffee.

The verdict is that these were better than the Pike’s Peak doughnuts.

Our final destination for today, after braving high winds (again!) on the interstate, was Badlands National Park. This has to be one of my favourite places with the otherworldly landscape that is intensely beautiful. The mountains and views did not disappoint, though it is insanely windy here. The wind is truly howling to the point of rocking the trailer as we lie in bed inside. It looks like a rainstorm might be brewing and bringing in a cold front. Looking forward to seeing what tomorrow brings. Hopefully we don’t tip over in the night!

We took this same photo a million years ago on our first Great American Road Trip before the kids were born.

Instead of two, we’re now five!

Our first cactus sighting.

Sunset in the badlands.