BADLANDS, ETC.:FOLLOW UP TO MYSTERIOUS SOUTH DAKOTA POSTING: RED STATE, RED SOIL

Above: "The Wall" in the Badlands area of what I call "mysterious South Dakota," which is known for the Badlands and Mt. Rushmore and little else ( spoiler alert: as Ron notes, the State Capital is Pierre, pronounced "Peer"-- I remember that from seventh grade, when I made a point of memorizing all the states and their capitals.  In the age of Google, this of course seems sort of silly, but I feel there's something to be gained by knowing the continuity of sprawling, diverse America by knowing its Presidents and all its states.)

But back to my friend Ron's observations ( he and his wife are in S. Dakota at least once a year)

RON REPORTS:

I've never been to Sioux Falls. I know that it is the most populous city in South Dakota. Besides farming and cattle ranching, the main industry in South Dakota is tourism. This is obvious from the multitude of roadside attractions, from cave tours to the Reptile Gardens (which is actually a very well run reptile zoo with lots of opportunities for interaction with the animals.) South Dakota, like several neighboring states, is rich in prehistoric fossils.

South Dakota is generally a red state, with very conservative elected officials. They routinely try to outlaw abortion in the state. Over the decades, they must have spent tens of millions of taxpayer dollars defending their anti-abortion laws in federal court, to no avail.  

South Dakotans' anti-tax sentiments are fed by allowing machine gambling in any storefront that chooses to call itself a casino. Every bar is a casino.

Flying over South Dakota drives home how empty it is. Some parts are farmed, and the circular irrigation fields are evident, but most is too poor for raising crops. That land is used for cattle. It is true that much of South Dakota is Indian reservations. My impression is that the native Americans are always around, but always in the background.

Driving through South Dakota on the main highway, US80, requires almost no turning of the steering wheel for the whole transit.

There are historic old west towns that are well preserved, and the famous, or infamous annual Sturgis motorcycle rally.

A surprising activity in South Dakota is the neutrino detector in Lead (pronounced "Leed") in an abandoned gold mine where mine shafts descend nearly a mile to where only the most energetic cosmic particles (neutrinos) can reach.

Speaking of pronunciation, the capital of South Dakota is named "Pierre" and is pronounced "Peer." Go figure.

Things that made an impression on me include: spectacular lightning displays, and the brilliant red soil.

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