We left Minneapolis on Thursday morning bound for Wall, SD (yes, the home of Wall Drug, the small town's pride and joy) and made the ten hour trip without incident. Upon arrival, we sought out the Wall Chamber of Commerce, as well as the National Grassland's Visitor's Ctr. to get some topo maps and directions towards the Buffalo National Grasslands (where we could legally camp for free). Unfortunately everything in Wall, SD closes at 4:30.
After a much needed glass of chocolate milk, and with the help of a friendly gas station lady, we shouldered our packs and began to trudge south down highway 240, in search of the National Grasslands. Everything around Wall is grassland, so distinguishing a farmer's field from national land proved tricky. After a 3 or so mile trudge, and with the sun rapidly disappearing, we came across a sign announcing that we had in fact reached the grasslands.
We found a nice little nook where a cow had apparently depressed the high grasses and left it a nice level place for us to make camp. After a rushed dinner of canned chili (delicious) and Zac's super speedy tent raising, we snuggled into our sleeping bags and were out for the night.
Next morning we made our way back to town. It is currently thirty degrees and snow/sleeting outside. Our original intention had been to hike the 7 miles south to Badlands National Park today, but given the weather, we think we'll just catch the next Greyhound going west.
Unfortunately the next bus doesn't come until 4:00 pm so we are killing time drinking 5 cent coffee, looking through the touristy shops, and hanging out with the nice library lady. 3 hours to go!
Kora and Zac
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment