South Dakota has chosen the ideal motto for the diverse state--"Great Faces. Great Places." Naturally, Mount Rushmore epitomizes Great Faces, but the population is a rich mix of over 62,000 Native Americans, European pioneer descendants, and Hutterite (Amish-like) colonies. Favorite sons and daughters of South Dakota include an influential number of citizens. Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, and Red Cloud were legendary warriors of the proud Sioux Nation, and they each fought for Indian independence to the sorrowful end. Favorite sons in the political arena included Hubert H. Humphrey and George McGovern; while journalism and the arts are well represented by Tom Brokaw, Cheryl Ladd, and Mamie Van Doren.
South Dakota’s Great Places run from gentle prairies and colossal pines to the Black Hills and Badlands’ canyons. In the sprawling South Dakota landscape, you can still try your hand at panning for gold or off-road adventures, horseback riding, and kayaking. It’s an all-you-can-experience buffet that ensures the perfect vacation. At least, that's what Sears Imported Autos thinks. Read along to see what else this midwestern state has to offer.
Sioux Indian Arts and Crafts
You will have ample opportunity to enjoy – and take home – beautifully crafted Sioux jewelry, leather works, paintings and quilts. Visit The Prairie Edge Trading Post and Galleries in Rapid City for some of the finest examples of Native America arts and crafts. Steeped in history and cultural meaning, crafts include intricately carved wooden feast bowls, elaborate beaded pouches, colorful quilled bags, elegant jewelry, and star quilts, designed to reflect new beginnings.
Beer, Berries and Black Bean Salsa
South Dakotans enjoy the fruits of their labor and land. Craft beers are a popular choice in many of South Dakota’s larger towns. Crow Peak Brewery is the only brewery in the state that packages their beers in cans.
Head for Mission Hill to visit Hebda Family Produce, where 55 acres include an apple orchard with over 10 varieties of apples and a berry farm with strawberries, elderberries, raspberries and plums. Seasonally, the Garrity family also produces home-canned spaghetti sauce, peaches, fresh black bean and corn salsa, and frozen corn. You can stock up on jams, jellies, and apple butter made weekly in the Garrity kitchen. During apple season, they fresh-press and bottle delicious apple cider. Other South Dakota products they offer include honey, beef jerky, Rushmore taffy, and Dimock cheese. In fact, you also can order a fabulous assortment of cheeses from the Dimock Dairy Cooperative--Colby, Garlic & Parsley, Chipotle, Bacon & Onion, and Smoked Cheddar--a seemingly endless variety
“Go west, young man, and grow with the country.”
That was John B. L. Soule’s editorial advice in 1851, and it is still sound advice for South Dakota vacationers. Begin with the lakes, Badlands, and Black Hills in the western part of the state, where you’ll discover abundant caves and national parks. Badlands offers nearly 250,000 acres of raw natural beauty--jagged buttes and vast, protected prairie grasslands, with a delightful local population--prairie dogs, bison, fox, mule deer and bighorn sheep. Roam the park’s many trails by foot, on horseback, or by car. The park is also rich in fossil beds of ancient mammals, so it’s well worth your while to get your bearings and critical information at one of the park visitor’s centers.
Dubbed the world’s greatest mountain carving, Mount Rushmore National Memorial is set against the Black Hills. Carving the 60-foot faces cost $1 million, took 14 years, and was intended by the sculptor to embody the spirit and history of America. From their privileged perch, the esteemed Presidents (Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, and Teddy Roosevelt) enjoy clear air and watch over a mix of western pine, birch, and aspen trees.
