September 18-19, Pierre, South Dakota

Heading across South Dakota to Pierre.

First we went through Philip, SD. Most of the towns have all these silos, beautiful downtown Philip with the Bad River. We lost Faith and went to Pierre. Street views across South Dakota, long, long vista, corn and sorghum fields . Also fields of sunflowers.

Kind of a surprise in Midland, SD, hot mineral baths. We didn't stop, too hot, but nice to know they are there.  Finally to Pierre, a railroad bridge over the Missouri River and beautiful historic downtown. Pierre is the capital of South Dakota.

Our campsite at Farm Island state park on the Missouri River. Lots of shade and grass and on the Missouri River.

I paddled around a bit this afternoon.

The campground from the river. In the bottom part we are in the middle. This very exuberant boxer named Max greeted me when I came to shore. He was jumping up and down in the water, barking and wagging his tail. I found this bird nest, it must have blown out of a tree.

Light and sunset in the campground.

The masher basket is coming along. I am working on refinishing the handle.

The South Dakota State Capital building. It was renovated in the late 70-80's. It has a lake next to it that is 92 degree artisan water, so it does not freeze in the winter. The rotunda dome and lobby. Very beautiful.

On the grounds were these memorials Flaming Fountain which is an artisan well with some natural gas in the water, the WWII memorial and the Fighting Stallions Memorial- for eight men including the governor  who were killed in a the crash of a state aircraft. The split oak stall door in the bathroom in the capital, the door knobs are all cast brass with the state seal on them. After the capital we went to the Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center. Casey is a world champion rodeo rider who became famous from South Dakota. Interesting museum. We were the only people in it!

Sue riding the virtual reality saddle bronc. Yee Haw! A plaque at the Lewis and Clark monument at the confluence of the Missouri and the Bad Rivers where they made first contact with the Sioux indians, a paddle boat in the Bad river , Bad Humor Island in the Missouri and the lead plate proclaiming the area property of France.

When we got back I went biking around Farm Island State park where we are camped while John cooked dinner and found all these trails on the island where the CCC first built the park. Also the fishing dock. Very nice park.