“Well I’ve been all over this crowded planet… etc. etc.” (with apologies to Paul Williams).
One part of the world that isn’t crowded is eastern Wyoming — you know, the part that isn’t full of Hollywood trendies of the Jackson Hole variety. Or at least, as far as I know.
My knowledge of that corner of the U.S. is limited to a brief sojourn — and I suspect I’m not alone in this — to Rapid City SD en route to Mt. Rushmore (where I got into a fight with the Parks Dept. asshole who was manager of the gift store, another story).
I have to say that I thought the area was very pretty, if on the rugged side, but I have always wondered what it’s like to live there, be it the climate, people, whatever.
I know that South Dakota is famous for its windiness, but surely the Black Hills act as some kind of a windbreak? Is Sundance WY as windy or unpleasant as Spearfish SD, for instance?
As I said, I know little to nothing about the area, and when I was at Mt. Rushmore in early April it was wonderful: cool breezes, morning mist and so on. As I recall, I stayed in a motel in Keystone and while the town is something of a dump — or was when I was there — the surrounding country looked magical.
Here’s the general area:
…and the scenery which I found so appealing:
The reason that I ask all this is because I want to take New Wife on a little trip to parts of the U.S. she hasn’t seen before, but I’d also like to go where I haven’t been, either — or at least, only driven through, like this part of the world.
All personal anecdotes, experiences and recommendations are welcome.