May 5, 2009 Route 66 trip

Well here we are in Brandon, SD. Just East of Sioux Falls.
We have had another great day. We started out at Wall Drugs in Wall, SD.
What a great place, a must see if you are in the area. Lots of Black Hills gold jewelry but alas... I just didn't find anything I couldn't live without.
We left Wall at 11:00 am. it was 60 degrees & sunny.
We then went through the Badlands. What a spectacular place.
Pictures just don't do it justice. It was 77 degrees & sunny.
We had a picnic there before moving on to Mitchell, SD.
We wanted to see the Corn palace but it was closed by the time we got there at 5:30.
We talked to one of the locals & was told that it is basically only a basketball gym.
But the outside was fascinating. We had dinner in Mitchell then drove towards our next destination for tomorrow.
We are a day behind schedule but that is OK. We have the flexibility & we are seeing some great stuff. It was dark as we were driving & the bugs were out in force.
It sounded like rain on the windshield & made a horrible mess. I am not looking forward to seeing what it looks like in the daylight.
Our cars are soooooo dirty. Not sure what color they are anymore.
We have been very fortunate to see all the wondrous sights this country has to offer. & we have had pretty great weather most of the time.
Tune in tomorrow for more stuff.
OH YA...We all have new nicknames:
Allan - The Big Giant Head (ever see 3rd Rock from the Sun?) and also the nickname Lewis or BGH Lewis for short.
Mindy - Sacagawea (she guides Allan)
Becci - Clark or #2 (I prefer Clark!)
John - Running Lights (because he needs to be reminded about lights)
Rudy - Blinker (we have to remind him to turn off his blinkers)
Mary Lou - Roxie (because she collects Rocks to take home)
Mike - Silver Bullet (his PT is Silver)
Irene - Tinklebell or Tink for short ..(ah maybe you can figure out why...)
Angel - Hopper. That is because she Hop from car to car and help drive if needed

Don't forget to check out today's pictures.
I know there are lots of pictures of the Badlands, but it was so awesome.
http://picasaweb.google.com/beccizzz/May52009Route66Trip?feat=directlink
or see if this slide show works: