Day Two. Today again we spent most of our time traveling down the highway, and since we are in South Dakota, we were able to speed at 75 miles per hour (five miles per hour faster than Michigan). And now, for tonight's respite, we are in Wall, South Dakota.

Last night, before retiring to bed, was not without fun as we played Uno. However, it was no ordinary Uno tournament. We played with the (new to us) rules that my boyfriend taught the five of us in March. 

Flying down the highway (dad was driving), we caught sight of a factory farm somewhere in Minnesota. The animals are raised in the confines of the white buildings in the picture for their entire life. It's not an unusual thing in the U.S., but it was the first time we had laid eyes on it. 

Welcome to South Dakota! 

Today's coffee break. We actually got lucky because the espresso machine was broken, so the barista gave us discounted drinks and the larger size. We ended up with cold beverages, but since it was unseasonably hot everything worked out.

 Gazing out at the Laura Ingalls Homestead from the lookout platform.

More gazing.

Checking out the example of the "dug-out" style of prairie home.

Peering inside the hay roof barn.

The homestead. The large building is the livestock barn, which housed the animals the Ingalls kept. The small, grey building is the home of Laura Ingalls and family. 

Inside the house. Inspecting one room out of the four that formed the small living space.

Livestock barn.

Traipsing to the windmill and well remains.

We crossed the Missouri River about mid afternoon…

…And began to come across the hills of South Dakota--a welcome change of scenery from the flat farmland of Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Just before getting into Wall, South Dakota, we stopped off at a "scenic view" stop and spent a few minutes stretching and enjoying the wide open spaces.

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A panoramic video of the short stop at the "scenic view." Unfortunately, the setting sun's glare obscured a little of the video but the singing birds can be heard and the rest of the landscape is fine.

And so begins our venture into The Badlands. 

じゃあね！