June 4, 2000

Des Moines to Rapid City, SD: Meet Ralph Brown

Starting odometer = 1477

Distance = 695 miles

Wow. Western South Dakota is gorgeous! I had no idea.

Today's route took me from Des Moines, IA through Omaha, Souix City, Souix Falls, and Mitchell to Rapid City, SD. It certainly was an eventful trip... as documented below.

The scenery is getting better and better the further west I go. Secondary benefit -- the further west I go, the better people seem to be at getting out of the way. People out here actually seem to understand that the left lane is for passing! They pass and move back over. Outstanding!

Tomorrow is my first real day of sightseeing at last. Badlands, Mount Rushmore, and Black Hills here I come...

The day begins with a drive around Des Moines, followed by breakfast with the lovely Naomi.

Naomi can be found at the Perkins Family Restaurant on I-80 in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Pete's Extermination Service. Rids all manner of flying pests. No bugs immune.

Farms, roads. Roads, farms. Farms, roads. Will it ever end?

The Corn Palace, Mitchell, SD. Why?

Meet South Dakota State Trooper Ralph Brown who presented me with this ticket for doing 96 in a 75 mph zone. Sheer luck that I passed out of a 65 mph zone into a 75. Unfortunately, I was paying so much attention to the scenery that I lost sight of the fact that there were no cars within sight of me to alert me of the instant-on RADAR. Who cares, the ticket's only for $108! With no reciprocity to Pennsylvania, I'll take these South Dakota tickets all day.

Finally, I arrive in Rapid City. Can you believe there are 5 Chinese restaurants here? I ate dinner at this fine establishment, the Imperial Restaurant -- unbelievably, it was delicious! Unfortunately, my server was male... hence the picture of the restaurant instead.