The Badlands got its name from the French trappers who explored the west in the early 1800s.  They called the area “bad land to cross” and it stuck.

For good reason, as you’ll soon see!

Wall Drug

Our 222 mile drive from Pierre to Rapid City started well and included a stop at the famous Wall Drug in Wall SD.  The establishment took off in the 1930s when the family owners started promoting free ice water to travelers.  Today, it is a corny, fun-filled tourist trap for virtually everyone traveling this route — up to 20,000 people per day in the summer!  Decent food, silly animated shows (see video below), a chapel, and a dozen mini-specialty stores selling everything from rocks to leather.  And still free ice water.

Another One Bites The Dust

My 1932 Cadillac had been thirstier than usual the last couple days, drinking a couple gallons of water and a couple quarts of oil each day.  By the time we got to within 16 miles of Rapid City, the car told me it had had enough.  After 2500 miles on this trip (and 102,000 miles total) the piston rings had worn too much and the burning oil fumes from the crankcase were coming in through the firewall for us to breathe in the passenger compartment.  Also, the water pump was making loud noises to indicate it was not tolerating my earlier field repairs.  In consult with mechanic Pete via cell phone, we determined that everything worn was fixable, but to continue risked real damage to the engine.

We got a flatbed tow from the middle of nowhere to our hotel in Rapid City, and left the Cadillac there under the watchful eye of the hotel staff and the city police.  It awaits pickup by my transport company, to be returned home for overhaul.

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Onward, ho!