Friday, June 23rd, 2023

starting mileage: 4548, distance travelled: 118

After one final bout with the mosquitoes to disconnect the camper, we fled the Badlands and headed west toward Mount Rushmore. We had a lovely tour guide who described the flora and fauna of the Black Hills. After snapping a few photos of the big heads, we went into touristy Keystone, SD and got lunch at a 1880’s themed saloon with mediocre food, but great service and fun decor. While we were in town, a very tall, very lanky, very grizzly old gentleman in chaps, walked into the middle of the road cracked his whip, and announced a “family friendly” western comedy saloon fight would be starting soon. Sadly we missed it.

Then we went to the second largest (and possibly most expensive) KOA campground where the number of Polaris off-road rental 4x4s possibly exceeded the number of humans. However, the amenities were amazing: 2 heated pools and hot tubs, mini golf, playgrounds, and the largest bad beers offered this side of the Mississippi (at least so far). We took advantage of all of the things…minus the 4x4s. Unfortunately, it was only after the beers that we realized we were in a tornado watch zone, so David kept watch in the pop-up until he fell asleep 5 minutes later. Fortunately, no tornados materialized, but high winds and rains rocked us through the night.