South Dakota

We made it to South Dakota this morning. We visited Mount Rushmore. After seeing so many signs advertising Wall Drug Store we just had to stop.  It is South Dakota's version of South of the Border, a real tourist trap.  But it did have an interesting start.

The Lure of Ice Water

The late Ted Hustead.

Ted was a Nebraska native who moved to Wall and opened a tiny drug store in 1931. Five years later, it was still a tiny drug store. Dorothy, Ted's wife, thought that the travelers driving past their store must be thirsty, and suggested that Ted put up a sign outside of town advertising free ice water at Wall Drug.

Ted thought it was a silly idea, but he was desperate and put up the sign. By the time he got back, thirsty tourists were already lining up for their free ice water. They've been stopping ever since.

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2216

We had our pictures taken ... with some new friends. They have a chapel there... some pretty flowers... and a large Jackalope. My motel is across the street.We had a beautiful South Dakota sky heading east and after dark we had a summer storm light show in the distance but never got in it. We are spending the night in the Cabela's RV parking lot in Mitchell, SD.