On the Road Again

Having thoroughly enjoyed the Badlands, we left in search of all things kitschy and nerdy. The MinuteMan Missile is something those of us who are baby boomers remember well. Cold War, M-A-D plan, and survivability was a part of our lives. We were able to tour a Missile Command Post – 2 guys, 2 keys, 13 feet apart – which was 31 feet below grade behind a 10” solid door with the Domino’s Pizza Label recreated with a missile that read “30 minutes or its’ free”; MinuteMan Missiles could launch in under a minute – hence the name – and be at their target appx 6,000 miles away in under 30 minutes. Our tour guide was a wonderful gentleman who had been one of the MinuteMan guardians who held a key, and a quick wit. Side note, he was a dead ringer for Mel Brooks. Then he took us to the Silo, appx 10 miles away, to see what the launch sites looked like. There are only 50 missiles in actual service today as vice the 550 that were in service before George Bush, the elder, signed the treaty ending the Cold War.

Wall Drug is a South Dakota staple. The signs begin in Wisconsin – Free Ice Water- and are scattered across the landscape like dandelions and continue until you arrive at what is now a 2 block compound. There are enormous rooms filled with people holding Wall Drug signs at places such as North Pole, South Pole, and Mt McKinley. A quaint bit of yesteryear wrapped around the modern conveniences. They still serve 5cent coffee – yes we had several cups – and HOMEMADE cake donuts – yes, we had several of these as well and boy were they yummy.

Now for the ultra nerdy – Ellsworth Air Force Base where they have their version of Wings over the Rockies Museum. Holy Cow!!!! There were B52s, B1s – sadly no B17s – missiles, crests, pieces of airplanes, memorabilia including a dedication to the airmen who dropped candy to children in Germany during WWII. In the background, F16s taking off at the Air Force Base – WAAAHHOOOOOOO

Ok, I’m calmer now. Our last stop today is the Palmer Gulch/Mt Rushmore KOA. We decided to get a sleeping cabin – read log cabin version of a tent – so that we could be warmer and drier – irony, gotta love it.

JR has been making some stellar food – hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken cacciatore (previously posted picture) and he boils water for tea every morning – he’s my kinda man, doing my kind of camping…well, except for the separate sleeping bags and the frostbite on my right hand after reading for an hour.