Get Off The Truck

April 2, 2021: Mt. Rushmore Edition

I'm on a 34-hour reset here in Rapid City, South Dakota and, being so close to Mt. Rushmore, I couldn't pass up the chance to see it. Although, the rental car was pretty pricey due to low volume of cars.

After picking up the rental truck (RAM 1500), I headed out to Mt. Rushmore. They are doing a lot of work, but I did get to see the monument. The rental car agent also suggested seeing the Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park, which is just south of Mt. Rushmore. Lots of Bison, Pronghorns, and Donkeys. I drove by the Crazy Horse Monument, but didn't want to spend the $12 to go inside, so just took a picture from the entrance booth. It is still a work in progress. Only the head has been carved. Then headed to Deadwood, South Dakota, which is a quaint historic town (the entire town is a National Historic Landmark), where Wild Bill Hickock was shot. The town reminds me of Eureka Springs.

Lots of great scenic roads around Mt. Rushmore that are almost as good as the monuments.

I've included a few highlights below and then a link to the full album below.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/gf6GM5kiAkb3KU5f9

Can't wait to park near something interesting. My highlight for walking exercise was 1+ mike walk to check out the accident scene in CT last Tuesday, then back to the truck. Got to chat with a few truckers. Day 3 otr training in the books!

There is a trail near the Pilot in Sturbridge Massachusetts. I-84 . It's somewhat of walk to get there (2.3 miles).

Two Harbors Minnesota. Birthplace of 3M. Lake Superior is a decent walk from the Kwik Trip.

Evanston, Wyoming July 2021.

The Pilot at exit 102 off of I-80 has a lot within easy and ambitious walking distance. The Wyoming Visitor’s Center is a half-mile walk. They have captive herds of bison. Bear River State Park is right next door. Bear River State Park has several miles of gravel hiking trails along and around the Bear River. Very easy trails. Several miles of more challenging trails lie beyond the State Park boundaries. The trails are multi-use so you will encounter mountain bikers.

A paved walking path, the Bear River Greenway, lies just west of the Pilot. You can access that trail through an unofficial trail. Just walk southwest from the parking lot and you will see it. The Bear River Greenway south will take you to the Bear River State Park. Heading north and west, the Greenway will take you to the “ice ponds,” to the historic railroad district, and the historic downtown district. The ice ponds were used around the turn of the century to put ice in railroad cars carrying produce. In addition to a historic railroad depot, the railroad district also has some exhibits about the Lincoln Highway, which was the first transcontinental highway f,rom New York to San Francisco. The Lincoln Highway was replaced with US 30 and I-80.

Miami, Florida, July 2021; Everglades National Park

As I had posted my rookie solo diary, Miami is not my favorite place. In addition to the hectic, unappealing city itself, during the summer it is very hot and rains several times a day.

But, just southwest of Miami lies the Everglades National Park and then south of there, the Florida Keys. It was like when I was stationed at Ft. Irwin. One of the crappiest duty stations, but you are 2 hours from Vegas and 2 hours from Los Angeles. And, had I known at the time, I would have gone to Moab, Utah more for hiking. I rented a car for the down and drove down the Everglades National Park.

The Everglades National Park main road is about 50 miles long. There is not a lot of primitive, back country hiking. Rather there are 6 interpretative trails that you can access from the main road. The interpretive trails give you a good understanding of the Everglades ecosystem and some nice scenery. See the link to the pictures below. If you want to rent a kayak or canoe, there are boat trails where you can immerse yourself into the Everglades. At the very end of the main road the Flamingo Visitor Center gives you a good view of the keys to the south. Also, they bridges near the marina there

I ended up meeting a woman from Paris. Saw an alligator and a manatee.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/JDehEqgjuwTn6YiZA

Some of the best adventures are the surprises that greet us when we least suspect them but are adventurous and seeking. I recently ended up in a hotel that was in a really crummy area. Much crummier than I expected when I booked the room. I woke up early the next morning to walk the dog. Ended up cutting through a large dystopian parking lot, cracked, weedy, full of trash and the like. Over a little burm, totally unexpected, was a small clear creek flowing around a Japanese styled park with many different types and shades of Japanese Maple. Terrific pictures you shared!

V/r Gabe

I know I'm new to trucking but it surprises me the number of drivers who don't explore the area around the truck stops.

Below are several pictures of a park that is a five minute walk from our truckstop.

Guess how many other drivers are here with me?

We are 10 miles from Dealy Plaza. I would go but I don't want to spend $20 for an Uber each way. If I were solo and earning money I would go.

Just my thoughts.

Evanston, Wyoming July 2021.

The Pilot at exit 102 off of I-80 has a lot within easy and ambitious walking distance. The Wyoming Visitor’s Center is a half-mile walk. They have captive herds of bison. Bear River State Park is right next door. Bear River State Park has several miles of gravel hiking trails along and around the Bear River. Very easy trails. Several miles of more challenging trails lie beyond the State Park boundaries. The trails are multi-use so you will encounter mountain bikers.

Rob D, Slight correction....Evanston is on the border with Utah. There is a PFJ at exit 3 and one at exit 6. The Bear State Park is off Exit 6 near a Rest Area.

Exit 102 in Wyoming is Rock Springs and has a Walmart SuperCenter but not a PFJ.....that's at Exit 104.

Laura

10/24/21 Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

Across from the Loves on I-15 at exit 363 just north of Salt Lake City. The total walking distance from the Loves and back, including all the trails, is right at 4 miles. There is a visitor center that is open Tuesday through Saturday. If the visitor center is not open you can still walk the trails. There are several interpretive signs along the trails plus a duck blind.

Great thread, and that's an amazing picture just above! Living in Chicago, I've learned to seek out pockets of beauty and nature where I can find them. Cool to see people doing that along the road.