After the great 2020 smoke out (wild fire version, that is - so relax all of you!!) and having canceled all of our plans and reservations in Montana (Road to the Sun), Wyoming (Yellowstone, Tetons) and Utah (Moab, Bryce Canyon), we scanned the weather / air quality maps and the only other option available to escape the smoke appeared to be South Dakota. It seemed like a good idea at the time.
On our way out of Montana, we stopped at the Little Bighorn National Monument, passed through Wyoming (so we can cross that state off the list!) and made a brief detour through the city of Sturgis, South Dakota (I couldn't resist - but we definitely weren't planning to stop on our way through - COVID is probably still lingering in the air after the motorcycle rally that descended upon the city!).
Our campsite was located in Rapid City at the base of Mount Rushmore, which was a great location (who knew there were so many awesome golf courses in Rapid City?!).
Max discovered bunny rabbits (and was only brave enough to chase after it once it started to run)...
... and Tom and I discovered a city (state?) in denial. If you don't remember what it's like to live before COVID-19, come to South Dakota, because apparently, they haven't heard of the coronavirus. Tom and I definitely stood out because we were wearing masks - and we definitely got some stares.
The only establishment we entered that had a sign about masks was Safeway - indicating that, as of July, a mask was required to enter. Although, once you entered the store, you would find that the large majority of people weren't paying attention to the notice. I saw one woman reading the notice quizzically (was it the first she'd seen such a notice? where has she been since July? or since March, for that matter?), but proceeded into the store without a mask. I saw another woman inside the store shopping with her elderly mom (neither of whom were wearing masks and both of whom were giving us "looks" for wearing one) - she was wearing a shirt "My Freedom Doesn't End Where Your Feelings Begin" (huh? that doesn't even make sense - what do my feelings have to do with wearing a mask?). Does she consider smoking in the Safeway store her freedom as well? I'd like to see her do that! Why is wearing a mask in this particular period of time any different?
But I digress...
Overall, I am glad we visited South Dakota - it was interesting to visit Mount Rushmore after so many years of seeing pictures (and before another face gets added 😅), touring Sylvan Lake and the Cathedral Spires of Custer State Park, the Needles Highway scenic drive (caution: do not attempt in an RV!!!), and golfing two amazing courses - The Golf Club at Red Rock and Arrowhead Country Club (a beautifully scenic private course that we played in well under 3 hours - whaaaat?!).
Admittedly, while touring the sites, we were a bit concerned about the nonchalance of the state/community about COVID, especially since South Dakota rates are on an upward trend. Absolutely zero masks in restaurants, golf pros shaking hands... the list goes on - it is literally as if COVID does not exist. I'm still in a bit of shock regarding how the state is not enacting certain measures - it's as if the media isn't even reporting on it and the state representatives don't even care to acknowledge it.
Update: I just read that the private course we played now has COVID-19 guidelines. Progress?!
But I digress again...
I'm glad we can cross South Dakota off the list as having been visited and, bonus, it's been 7+ days and neither of us have signs of COVID, so the masks are definitely working. 😅 I don't foresee us returning, although the Wind Cave, the Badlands and Devils Tower might prove too much of an incentive (but it will definitely be at some point in the long future).
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