Just a small detour!!!!

Some may think we're crazy (and for a brief moment we would agree with you) but after finishing off with some meetings earlier than expected we found we had a couple of spare days so decided to take a 1000 mile (1600km) detour to the opposite side of South Dakota to Mt Rushmore National Memorial. On the way we stooped off in Wall, to visit Wall Drug (it had been advertised about every half mile for the last 50 miles so we figured it was a must see) - it was a tourist trap but still a must see as a pharmacist. Wall Drug covered the block (& really was the only thing in town) and had everything from a small dispensary, kids toys, clothing (including cowboy boots & belt buckles), cafe, ice creamery, souvenirs, photo shop, jewelry, newsagency & believe it or not it had its own chapel!! I find it really hard explaining to the people we meet that I'm a pharmacist but I don't stand behind a glass screen & pass pills through a slot. It really makes you appreciate the situation we have in Australia with pharmacist ownership.

Bruce & I both enjoyed our time at Keystone visiting the Mt Rushmore National Memorial although we both agreed that it was by no means as spectacular as Yosemite National Park or the Grand Canyon (maybe it has something to do with the man made thing I'm not sure). Heading back east from Mt Rushmore we drove the Iron Mountain Rd which winds around through a series of tunnels, each tunnel framing the memorial, which was quite pretty. We also drove the Wildlife loop through Custer State Park and managed to see burros (similar to a mule or donkey), wild turkeys, bison buffalo & plenty of deer. Our last detour for this trip was through the Badlands State Park - a very unique landscape for South Dakota - almost like a mini grand canyon with sand stone instead of the red rock & then opening out into wide open grass plains.

Our last stop on our big detour across the state was in Mitchell to see the International Corn Palace. Again this was a bit of a tourist trap but interesting none the less. Essentially a big building with murals made from cobs of corn (murals being redesigned and replaced each year).

Finally we arrived in Sioux Falls Wednesday night.