July 31 - Day 48 - Mitchell, South Dakota

We left Austin, Minnesota at 8:00 am and headed West on I90. The view was as it has been - corn, beans, beans, corn. Once we left Minnesota, the view changed a bit. There was still corn and beans, but there was also hay and cattle. As we got further into South Dakota, the cattle took on greater prominence. One thing that caught our eye was the "red" highway in South Dakota. The surface is covered with gravel embedded in asphalt. Very unique.

After 286 miles, we arrived at Mitchell, South Dakota, the home of the "Corn Palace" and the birthplace and current residence of former Senator and presidential candidate, George McGovern.

We booked in to the R & R Campground (which I would recommend to anyone traveling in this area) and did the standard cleaning of the front of the coach. Bugs are everywhere! We then went to the local Cabela's and purchased our recliners. What a deal! Normally $79.95, but usually on special at $49.95, but this week on special at $39.95! They are just what we had been looking for and at an unbelievable price!

From there, we went back into Mitchell to see the "world famous" Corn Palace. The first Mitchell Corn Palace was built in 1892, just three years after South Dakota became a state. The building is famous for the huge and colorful murals (made of corn) on its sides.

In early June, the border trim of rye and sourdock is removed from the building and new rye and sourdock is tied and stapled to the building - typically by the end of July. Then the new murals are laid out and specially selected corn is used to create new murals, usually by the end of August. The murals are changed each year. But in 2007, the last time we were here (going East from Sturgis) there had been a drought and the special corn was not available to create new murals. As it happens, 2007 was the only year the murals were not changed.

After touring the Corn Palace (which is a high school basketball arena in the winter), we headed back to the renovated train station at the foot of Main Street. We had visited The Depot the last time we were in Mitchell and enjoyed the atmosphere and food - nothing has changed. We had the best Nachos we had had in a long time - along with drinks of course!

Now back at the coach, we are getting all set up to head for Sturgis in the morning. Until then, Cheers!

John, Suz and Dixie the Wonderdog