Day 16: Rapid City, SD to Sioux Falls, SD (355 miles)
Today we went over the 5,500 mile mark on the trip. We only have four more riding days left and everyone is starting to get sad because the end of this amazing journey is getting closer. We left this morning under the threat of rain, but thankfully stayed just ahead of the rain. The cloud cover kept the heat at bay and the temperature was perfect for riding. About 50 miles out of town we descended on Wall Drug Store, a cultural icon that got its start during the Depression years by offering free ice water to thirsty travelers. It still offers free coffee and donuts to Vietnam Vets and Honeymooners and coffee for just five cents to everyone else. We left Wall Drug Store and rode into the Badlands National Park, 244,000 acres of the real looking rock formations and outcroppings that is reminiscent of a science fiction movie set. Many miles later we found our way to the Corn Palace, another cultural icon, established in 1892 to help settlers display the fruits of their harvest on the building walls. It now houses plays, local theater, and over 150 basketball games each year. It is the central focus of town, which is Mitchell, SD.

Wall Drug Store is a sight to see and can take hours to get through. Tom and Debby had breakfast at the infamous
Cafe next door before shopping.

While riding through the Badlands, you half expect a giant creature to jump out from behind one of the rock outcroppings. Maybe that's why they filmed Stormtroopers there, a sci-fi B movie, complete with giant ants and other creatures.

The Corn Palace is commemorating the 200 year anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition on its exterior this year . . . all artwork is displayed in corn!