it…out

I just got back from Western South Dakota. I saw Wall, Keystone, Deadwood, and Spearfish and visited such attractions as Wall Drug and Mt. Rushmore. It was every family vacation from my childhood all over again, but with scientists this time.

I read a news clipping posted on the wall at Wall Drug that describes the place as “aggressively tacky.” That is an understatement. If Wall is aggressively tacky, then Keystone can be considered “obnoxiously touristy.” Though Mt Rushmore was relatively nice, and there is the chance of actually learning something there. For example, I actually learned the names of all four people whose faces are carved into the mountain and had a very polite Australian tourist explain to me what Habeas Corpus means. Deadwood, while still completely fake, seemed less offensive. I guess I just have a soft spot in my heart for slot machines and hooker mannequins.

Spearfish, however, was actually pleasant. Far enough away from the ultra-tourist zone of the southern Black Hills, you can look out your window in Spearfish and actually see the Black Hills and not casinos or gift shops.