SharivilleLife stories from Shari

Today seemed like a long day.  We drove about 300 miles, from Rapid City to Mitchell SD.  Guess it just seemed long because we were crossing prairies. All along the way were cattle, definitely cow country and of course, Mylo and Corn and Soy Bean fields.  They all seem to go together.

All the while I kept thinking about the pioneers and how very difficult it had to be for them.  The prairie is hot and dry and hilly.  Since I’ve been around here I’ve gotten a good look at those Prairie Wagons and I can only imagine.  They had to be very brave and determined and selfless.  I wonder how many of us could take off on an adventure like that?  This adventure we are on doesn’t compare and yet sometimes I wonder if I’m brave enough to do it.  Theres so much to get together and figure out and follow through with.  I pray every day that God will see us through and I’m sure that’s a lot of how they did it too.  I’m so far away from my comfort zone, all these miles out now.  I just hope they had a little fun along the way, because we sure are.

The most exciting thing we did today was to stop off at the largest tourist trap on I-90.  It’s called Wall Drug.  It’s in the town of Wall SD, population 838.  Despite it all it was a fantastic place to tour.  They bring bus loads of people here after they tour the Badlands.  They have the most extensive collection of western Art , probably in the USA.  Fab stuff.  I couldn’t find anything they didn’t have, nor anything that I needed.  So we had buffalo burgers with fries and 5 cent coffee.  No, it was not Green Mt. coffee for that price.

The old folks built their business on free ice water during the depression. Travelers crossing the prairies were hot and thirsty, and some often bought ice cream and so it began.  Boy I wonder what the pioneers would think of this place, see I told you I’m obsessed with Pioneers. I took a picture of Jerry on a giant jackolope, can you visualize that?

We also crossed the beautiful and huge Missouri River this afternoon.  Another milestone in this adventure.  I’m still wondering about  those pioneers and that river.  More to come I’m sure.  tomorrow Iowa.          Hugs,   Shari and Jerry