Vacation recap

So, my friend Melissa and I went on vacation last week with South Dakota as our destination. We went into Wyoming one day to see Devils Tower, which was an awesome site. So, for those who are curious, here was our trip.

Carhenge at Alliance - because if you're in western Nebraska, you have to stop at the 'Henge. You know Stonehenge? This is exactly the same only made out of cars. It's just one of those curious places you stop at just 'cause.

Museum of the Fur Trade at Chadron - I'd never been there and don't know much about the fur trade. It was a really interesting museum. Among the exhibits is a replica of the trading post, which is actually more of a dugout and includes stocked shelves.

Vore Buffalo Jump west of Spearfish - The site was essentially a sinkhole into which the Native Americans drove bison for easier harvest. The animals fell into the hole, breaking their necks and making it much simpler for the people to get what they needed.

Devils Tower in Wyoming - quite simply one of the most impressive natural monuments I've seen. We walked around its base, and it reminded me how creative God is. People were climbing it the day we were there. That's something I don't think I could do.

The Geographic Center of the United States at Belle Fourche, SD - Not a bad place but harder to find than I expected. Plus, their sign was wrong - the geographic center of the continental U.S. is Lebanon, Kan., not Smith Center. Close but no cigar. :)

Thunderhead Falls south of Deadwood - an underground waterfall that sends eight cubic feet of water over its edge per second. That's a lot of water. I was prepared, though, after the Mark Twain Cave in Hannibal. I made sure to wear a jacket!

Deadwood, SD - site of the graves of James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok and Calamity Jane, among others. Yes, we walked up the very steep hill to Mt. Moriah Cemetery where the two are buried side by side per her request. We also visited the Adams House, saw Wild Bill assassinated and witnessed a shoot-out on Main Street. Just another day in Deadwood, I suppose.

The Badlands - it's so spectacular there's not much I can say. It was a perfect day to visit the Badlands, and evidently a whole bunch of Corvette drivers agreed. I think there was a Corvette show in the area, and they were out touring. Almost as impressive as the Badlands, but not quite. :)

Ashfall Fossil Beds in northeast Nebraska - a functioning archaeological site, as you can tell by the worker in the distance. College students work there during the summer, excavating bones by the thousand. The site was a watering hole and a volcanic eruption sent ash this way, filling the water hole and killing hundreds of animals.

 Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha - need I say more?

All in all, it was a good trip. I got to see some cool stuff and even learned a couple things. Not a bad way to spend a week away from work. :)