Heading North

I’m going to cover a couple of days here.  I haven’t had much time because we were on the road for 4 days.  On Friday, we only drove 90 miles, then boarded a bus to visit the state capitol of South Dakota, Pierre.  We are camped high on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River and the capitol city.  Such gorgeous views.

The South Dakota capitol isn’t as impressive as others I’ve seen, but our tour guide made it interesting.  First thing she pointed out was the terrazzo tile floor with earth tone colors.  She explained that there were 66 Italian tile artists who laid the tiles.  They weren’t allowed to sign their work, but each was given one blue tile that they could lay anywhere.  So of course everyone walks head down looking for these blue tiles.

They have a very impressive grand staircase used for processions.  Another interesting tidbit was that the columns were not real marble, they were scagliola, a man-made marble.  One uses keen cement, marble dust/shavings, water/milk, yarn and ink to make scagliola.

Then she shows us how there is one column that was installed upside down.  No one knows why, but their booklet claims it was to demonstrate humility.  You think?

We also went to the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center.  I didn’t take many photos there, but this caught my eye…

On Saturday, we had a 5 hour scenic drive up to Bismark, North Dakota.  I wish I could take photos of the landscape, but I’m driving.  It was small, undulating hills – all soft green and speckled with black dots of Angus cattle.  The route on the east side of the Missouri was 1804, the year Lewis and Clark when up the river, and on the west side, it was 1806, the year they came back through.  On the drive, I saw a coyote, lots of Angus cows and calves, a field of buffalo, painted horses like they always show the Indians riding, and other horses and colts.

We are staying at Bismark KOA.  I was delighted when I drove in because there were lots of trees and lilacs in bloom everywhere.  It’s been so long since I’ve smelled a lilac.