South Dakota

The first stop on my road trip. And the first state where it felt like a road trip. A mixture of mindblowing sights and mindnumbing monotony, South Dakota captures the essence of any road trip. Entering from the southeast via 29 and connecting to 90 on the westward journey, the monotony is broken only by ubiquitous billboards announcing the distance to "Wall Drug" and promising free ice water if you make it there. A quintessential American road trip invention, Wall Drug achieved fame through these ads on the various highways in S.Dakota. The brainchild of the owner during the early 30s, it took a life of its own when people started planting these direction/distance boards in foreign countries and places as far as the north pole.



The boredom is shattered quite spectacularly once you close in on the city of Wall, which is the southern tip of the Badlands national park. There are desolate places and then there is the badlands. It is a treat for anyone with any interest in geology. Spectacular colors, winding night-time driving through scary landscapes and the sheer emptiness had me bought at word go. Even though we spent only a few waking hours in the national park, it made its impression. So, if you travel through S.D on 90, plan on pitching a tent in the emptiness of the badlands. Wake up and go drink a cup of ice water at Wall Drug!

(Pictures courtesy: Dr. Vijay Gopalakrishnan, fellow traveler, friend, philosoper..at least by degree, and guide)