We got up at 1am this morning to look at the vast sky covering the Diamond A Ranch; so many stars and constellations. Why are western skies so much bigger?! Soon after we left our campsite, we spied a 50 foot stainless steel statue called Dignity of Earth and Sky overlooking the Missouri River. It was created by South Dakota artist laureate Dale Claude Lamphere and depicts an Indigenous woman in plains-style dress receiving a star quilt. The artist wrote, “Dignity represents the courage, perseverance and wisdom of the Lakota and Dakota culture in South Dakota. My hope is that the sculpture might serve as a symbol of respect and promise for the future.” The SD terrain is, for the most part, green picturesque rolling hills and valleys. I can see why the Lakota Sioux fought so hard to keep this land. Several people and 50 miles of signs told us about the Wall Drug Store and Café in Wall insisting it was a must see, so we stopped to see it. Didn’t stop long since it was, basically, a crowded, massive, cowboy tourist trap. As we drove, we were treated to some strange exhibits along the highway. Finally we arrived at our serene, wooded campsite in Custer Mountain Campground ready to escape the truck and eat some dinner. Excited to explore Custer State Park.
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