Lola's Quest Across the U.S.: November 2011

South Dakota is AWESOME! I know, I never thought I would say that either, but I was amazed at all of the tourist possibilities! Lola and I managed to explore 4 fantastic attractions in one day,
but there were many that we had to pass up.
We started the day in Mitchell, SD at "The World's Only Corn Palace",
visited a few dinosaurs along the way,
traveled back in time to 1880 Town,
hunted down Jackalope memorabilia at WALL DRUG,
and eventually made it to Mount Rushmore!

Here are highlights from the Corn Palace and 1880 Town.
There were just too many pictures for one post!

Who doesn't love a grinning ear of corn?

Lola is studying up on how the Corn Palace was made.

First they grid it out and decide the colors to use, and then find corresponding colored corn cobs to use. The cobs are cut in half and put in place. The outside of the Corn Palace is decorated in this way.

We did not go inside however, so I'm not sure if it is any different.

I did notice many visitors leaving the Corn Palace with corncobs-on-a-stick, even at 10 am!

I love this picture! One of my top 5 of the trip.

I took this one with my cell phone too!

I love how the rays of light shine down evenly around her and "American Pride" is centered above her.

Just another Majestic photo!

Each of the pictures on the palace is made with corn cobs, as described above. Pretty cool actually.

I wish that I could say that I have trained Lola to look in the right direction when taking pictures, but I have not. For this perfect shot I must give credit to a helpful flying insect and good timing!

Artsy Road Trip Shot : )

(You might recognize this as the background on this blog)

Another favorite thing about South Dakota:

Most of the Sinclair gas stations still have these Dinosaur statues!

Roaring with the Dino

Just outside of 1880 Town.

The sky was absolutely PERFECT for these shots!

Mooby the Golden Calf?

Just a random golden cow outside of the entrance to 1880 Town.

(Random cow shots WERE on our checklist . . .)

One of many stuffed "people" in South Dakota.

This wagon was featured in the movie, "Dances With Wolves".

Upstairs in the main building is an entire showcase of Dances With Wolves props, parts of the movie were filmed here! Oh, and before I forget, the people at 1880 Town were WONDERFUL! Very friendly and welcoming, even dog-friendly! Lola and I enjoyed it very much!

Senior Portrait.

I smile every time I look at this picture!

One of the things I loved most about 1880 Town was that the buildings

and props were open for exploration and GREAT for pictures!

See? The sky was PERFECT!

So Beautiful!

Oh, and did I mention they have A CAMEL?!?

Lola was pretty unsure about it, especially when I petted it.

I couldn't resist, it was a very friendly and curious camel.

There was also a miniature pony that had black and white coloring and

was barely bigger than Lola. I tried, but neither of them wanted a picture together!

Another great picture!

This shot took all of Lola's strength and patience to make it through--There was a little kitten slinking around my feet helping me take the picture and it was killing Lola that she couldn't come see it. I was surprised that she did such a great job staying in the coach until I was finished! And what nice posture! Good Girl!

Oh yeah, I tried it out too!

Another saloon!

Lola just looked so natural in front of a Fire Station, I couldn't resist.

Lola jumped right up and stuck her face out the back of this stage coach. Sometimes I swear she knows she's a model. She comes up with the best poses from time to time!