General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhat would you do if you were to spend the nxt 3 months in S dakota ?
I have a once in a lifetime chance to spend the next 3 months in a foriegn country far from my Hawaii home .
south dakota awaits me .. I am not used to such a trumpy land ..
I want to make a difference w/o Dying at the hands of trumpers .
any hints from those whose live in such hostile lands .
Thanks
proud patriot
LeftInTX
(26,229 posts)BlueWaveNeverEnd
(8,461 posts)ret5hd
(20,696 posts)id check out sioux falls, pierre, and rapid city for bookstores and a quiet glass of wine somewhere.
id watch sunrises and sunsets.
id walk along the Missouri, James, and Big Sioux Rivers.
id see the Crazy Horse Memorial.
id camp alone in the quiet.
Then i would return home with my memories and the knowledge that i never have to return unless i really wanted to.
DFW
(54,825 posts)Is there a safe, reliable cryo storage facility in South Dakota, and, if so, what would they charge for a three month stay?
On the other hand, George McGovern and Tom Daschle were from South Dakota, to there have to be a FEW kindred spirits
somewhere in that state.
Polybius
(15,686 posts)Always wanted to.
niyad
(114,824 posts)Doesn't mean I can't see it in person. It's there no matter what, me seeing it won't change anytrhing.
Response to Polybius (Reply #17)
niyad This message was self-deleted by its author.
PufPuf23
(8,949 posts)I still would like to see it.
PufPuf23
(8,949 posts)The level of casual bigotry at DU is getting to me.
There are many beautiful places in South Dakota as I and others said elsewhere in thread.
Apologize for bring abrupt. Niyad made a similar comment.
Polybius
(15,686 posts)My reasoning isn't bigotry, however. I'd like to see everything historic, as long as it's there. Hell, there are DUers who have been to Stone Mountain in GA.
niyad
(114,824 posts)the travesty that is Stone Mountain designed the desecration of The Six Grandfathers?
The problem with going to places like stone mountain, and rushmore, when one knows theur history, is that, however pure and unbigoted one's intentions, tha very act of going to them gives them legitimacy.
Polybius
(15,686 posts)If I'm in the area, my eyes seeing it won't hurt anyone. Hell, I know someone to the left of me that saw the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, because when he visited his cousin it was less than a half hour drive. I don't hold it against him at all.
yonder
(9,717 posts)Not for the politics but for the outdoor opportunities. There's plenty of easily-accessed, uncrowded public land to literally lose oneself in.
I think parts of South Dakota are blessed similarly.
I'd say do it. It's only 3 months, it won't kill you and you just might like it.
Post #3, especially their 2nd to last sentence, says it well.
SWBTATTReg
(22,520 posts)and you know the people more, if you know what I mean...they are pretty good people, we should take solice in that, believe me. I've lived in these rural areas, and I love them, and the people.
niyad
(114,824 posts)Honouring the Lakota and Dakota peoples. I cannot link to it, or post images, but if you google, you can see it.
Polybius
(15,686 posts)Very impressive.
https://www.travelsouthdakota.com/trip-ideas/story/dignity-earth-sky
niyad
(114,824 posts)moniss
(4,274 posts)the north central part of the state near the North Dakota border, the south central part near the Nebraska border/Fort Randall Dam area is cool and I like the eastern border region with Minnesota and Iowa. As far as what to do with the people I would say they're mostly nice enough but I don't bring up politics or religion. If you're going right about now get used to the idea of a strong wind blowing with dirt and dust. If you get up in the northern part be sure and ask in some convenience stores etc. for Grandma's Kuchen. You will be glad you did.
mahatmakanejeeves
(58,212 posts)proud patriot
(100,725 posts)we are going to be with her sister who has just entered hospice care . We will have time on the weekends
for road trips and such .
Tetrachloride
(8,010 posts)Onthefly
(232 posts)I have visited SD many times. Explore. Learn about the history and Indian life. If you like the outdoors, so much to offer. I once went on a tour of the Oahu Dam that was spectacular. It supports a huge reservoir just north of Pierre. Camping in the Black Hills region can be a break from summer heat. Regardless of political leanings, most people are polite, helpful, and like to give tips on where to go!
hlthe2b
(102,961 posts)to do outreach. If it is the latter, you need to do your homework and educate yourself, especially about SD history with its Native American population and current status. I have worked with Lakota Sioux at Standing Rock and Pine Ridge earlier in my career. The experience grounded me in both my beliefs and politics like nothing else, particularly because I had had the opportunity to learn and be educated about Civil Rights in the South growing up, while the modern-day Native American experience is an area of intense ignorance for most Americans.
So, if you are going for rest, relaxation, and vacation, stick with the auto-touring, hiking, camping, fishing, kayaking, rock-climbing opportunities--or whatever moves you.
If you are seeking an "out-reach" experience then please do your homework and put your assumptions on the shelf. Honestly, there is nothing worse than being an outspoken, but uninformed tourist. Remember the words of Mark Twain: It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.
That said, go and enjoy. There is a lot of beauty (and quite a few very nice people living there, politics aside).
proud patriot
(100,725 posts)Living in Hawaii , I'm very familar with the rudeness of outspoken tourists . That's the last thing I want.
PufPuf23
(8,949 posts)imanamerican63
(13,913 posts)And I do not speak about politics or anything to assume what they want to hear or say!
I just work there and they dont talk to me about politics!
Midnight Writer
(22,066 posts)LudwigPastorius
(9,473 posts)NanaCat
(2,332 posts)I had to be there thanks to the USAF, and I hated it so much I took the first chance to get out of there that I could.
Worst place I ever lived, bar none.
Never went back, and I never will. I hate it that much.
Chakaconcarne
(2,501 posts)PufPuf23
(8,949 posts)Also a large Native American presence and history.
Kid Berwyn
(15,561 posts)And even if its currently in the red column, most of the people are good human beings. Last visited in 2017.
Ocelot II
(116,520 posts)Visited there years ago - we were there in the evening and it was so quiet you could hear your own heartbeat. The colors are glorious.
Rhiagel
(1,680 posts)Just don't draw aces over eights.
Paha Sapa
(425 posts)Where are you going to be based while here? Maybe I could provide some guidance.
electric_blue68
(15,352 posts)In 1980 I went to think it was called The Black Hills Gathering (was also going to Colorado Springs, my cousin in Denver took ne up into The Rockies by motorcycle(!), Flagstaff AZ for Greyline return visits to the Navajo & Hopi Nation, Alberquerque/Old City via my dad's friend).
Was held on land east of the Paha Sapa donated for the 3 days by a rancher. A mix of Lakota, and maybe other tribes, a lot of us white people, and some others. About Native American issues, Black Hills issues, lots of Renewable Energy info. I only went for one day - I couldn't manage a backpack (lent to me) & small tent which I'd I might have bought trying it all on at home.
I had donated Illustrations for a few issues of an activist newspaper before the trip.
I did take the Grey Line tour of The Black Hills.
SupportSanity
(309 posts)Thinking about that, if you could get to the Grand Canyon, you would be able to see the mainland's answer to Haleakala.
The Grand Canyon is so big that you can't tell how big it is. Hard to describe until you see it. Very worth the trip.
And, there is more to do in that area than just the Grand Canyon, but really, the Grand Canyon is it.
No picture or video can do the Grand Canyon justice. It is an experience that you get to have. Very restorative. Good for people supporting someone in hospice.
Mahalo
doc03
(35,584 posts)group. I thought Rapid City was a pretty nice city, the day I arrived they were having a street fair. I think
there were three different bandstands downtown. There was an Art Alley with murals and several street performers.
Every block has statues of the Presidents, John Kennedy and John Jr. were in front of my hotel. This was a week or two
before the Sturges Motorcycle Rally so I don't know if that was just for that or an every week thing. We visited the Badlands,
Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse then went on out west ending up in Salt Lake City where I flew back to Pittsburgh from.
It was a very nice trip.
niyad
(114,824 posts)a trip up there specifically to see the Alley, and brought back some amazing photos.
TlalocW
(15,414 posts)Corn Palace.
WarGamer
(12,832 posts)Some of the best outdoors-ish stuff around.
I've spent time around Spearfish and Sturgis... Black Hills NF is amazing...
Head west into Wyoming... the Devil's Tower NM... 1/2 of all people who see it think it's a petrified tree trunk lol...
I adore the great Mountain West...
Life isn't all about politics.
ZonkerHarris
(24,435 posts)proud patriot
(100,725 posts)I will try to do as many as I can
frogmarch
(12,182 posts)in Hot Springs. Years ago, I worked there training tour guides and giving tours in the summer and cleaning and identifying and preserving bones after summer digs and in the lab during the winter.
me:
https://mammothsite.org/
proud patriot
(100,725 posts)thanks
duckworth969
(798 posts)Get an old pickup, especially good to not be driving something that looks too sporty or foreign, dont wear cowboy boots but get ya some worn out boots that look like they been somewhere, be careful what bumper stickers you have, probably best to have none, dont draw attention to yourself with shirt graphics or texts, low profile is best, keep with innocuous small talk especially when out at diners and bars, your sentences shouldnt be too long and try not to use college words, generally avoid any discussions concerning religion or politics, if they try to draw you in, just nod. Might be a good time to consider investing in some flannel shirts.
Kindred spirits will be far and few between, but who knows.
Oh, watch out for bears, mountain lions, bison and MAGAS.
Especially MAGAS, youre going to be surrounded.
proud patriot
(100,725 posts)flying in from Hawaii with my MIL . family picking us up and will be using family car to see the sites .
Is my "Democracy use it or lose it " t shirt too much ?
Liberal In Texas
(13,728 posts)Or the way it's going maybe 1942.
ripcord
(5,553 posts)I went to eastern Oregon to see the Malheur Nation Wildlife Preserve but the best part of the trip was seeing the huge herds of elk, deer and Rocky Mountain goats.
proud patriot
(100,725 posts)one of our first stops is the Henry dorlan zoo .
AuntyGravity
(289 posts)Your unders will smell nice