SD As Seen From Interstate 90

Mindfulness

Considering that I appear to be the typical, fifty something, overweight, divorcée, one would think that I am the last person to be giving travel advice. However, it seems ever since I first obtained my drivers license and took my first road trip, I have had a passion for driving, for seeing what I can see and taking the road less traveled.

Windshield time and the people that I meet as I travel, give me time to think, to plan and to dream and it seems to increase my self awareness along with a new understanding of the world we live in.

That being said, it is important that before sitting in the drivers seat and heading out on a trip of any distance, one must plan for their personal safety. Don't let the open road lull you into a sense of false security, stay alert and pay attention not only to your driving but to what is going on around you.

From the mystery of the Black Hills to the Badlands and the fields of sunflowers in full bloom. The views of South Dakota from I-90 can have a mesmerizing effect.

Be Prepared

First and foremost, anyone driving across South Dakota on I-90 needs to understand that although there are a lot of small town exits on the interstate, there is no guarantee that there will be services at those exits, depending on the time of year.

East of Rapid City and West of Sioux Falls, it can be difficult to find fuel, food or facilities during the off season, over the holidays or late at night. Some of the small town gas stations have gone to twenty four hour pumps but I have experienced occasions where the card readers do not work.

That being said, I recommend keeping at least two hundred miles worth of gas in your car. Yes, that means that you need to know your car! The speed limits are higher in South Dakota and there are a lot of hills, a lot, a lot, of hills these two factors will impact your gas mileage. It is best to underestimate the amount of gas you have left and fill up when you have the opportunity or risk, at the very least, wasting time trying to find an open gas station or working card pump and at the worst running out of gas.

Safety

Overall, I have always felt very safe travelling across South Dakota, however I am well versed in how to take care of my self and even then there have been minor incidents that have made me a little wary.

Most common is not a threat of personal injury, but card skimming. On several occasions, when I have swiped a card at a gas station, I have received notification from my bank that there is suspicious activity on my card. Using a bank that has good security measures in place is vital, if a person is unsure of their banks security measures, it might be wise to get a pre-paid credit card loaded to use at the pumps or carry enough cash to pay for fuel. Both of these alternatives can be a little inconvenient, however a little inconvenience is much better than having ones card skimmed and a bunch of fraudulent charges.

That being said, it is important to note there is, as there is, anywhere we go a risk of personal injury. On one trip, I did come very close to being harmed. During the off season, I like to use an app to get high end hotel rooms for next to nothing and had done so on this particular trip. A four star hotel with a good restaurant and a casino. When I checked in I was charged for parking but given some gambling credits to compensate for that charge. Leaving my things in my room, I went to dinner and at dinner I had two short beers, then, though I do not gamble much, decided to have a beer at a poker bar and spend my gambling credits.

While I was there I was a approached by a woman and her husband, she was very friendly but gave off a really weird vibe, asking very intrusive questions and invading my personal space. While we were chatting her husband wandered off and she got even more personal with her questions, I decided to bail. I left the bar and went to the restroom, when I left the restroom, I noticed she had also left, so I changed my mind and went back to finish my beer.

One sip and I mean one sip and all of the sudden the beer tasted bad, which only served to change my mind back to going to the room. As I turned around, there was the strange woman with two different men, one was huge, the other smaller but both gave me that fight or flight feeling. She got in front of me, telling me she wanted me to meet her friends, telling them I was her best friend, about that time I got a sharp pain in my left temple and I felt a little dizzy. Big guy grabbed my arm, hard, insisting I stay and finish my beer. I panicked a little, but agreed to stay... However, I said I was done drinking beer and I looked at the bartender and ordered an angel shot. He knew what I meant, told me it was coming right up and in a few moments security was there to escort me to my room.

Go with your gut, if something feels wrong it is wrong. I never dreamed I would get slipped a mickey, but the next morning after less than two and a half beers, I woke up with the worst hangover ever and bruises on my arm.

However, this incident, the occasional unexpected storm and the fickleness of the services in South Dakota, will not stop me from enjoying my trips and living my life through the windshield. It is hoped that it won't stop you either, get out there and explore!!!

I have many other stories, camping and fishing on my own in grizzly country, potty training my daughter between Wyoming and Mississippi... If you would like to see more, please feel free to tip to keep me going.