We left Huron and continued on US14 to Pierre, the capital of South Dakota. Just north of Pierre is Lake Oahu which is an earth dam across the Missouri. It was built in the same era and similar way to Lake Eildon in Victoria, but is several times the capacity for storage and power generation with a shoreline of over 3,500 km compared to Eildon with less than 600 km when full. The dam extends to Bismark in North Dakota so effectively connects the two state's capitals.

Pierre has only 15,000 population which makes it the smallest state capital in the US; and most other places for that matter. Even so, it has a very impressive capital building and a good summer location. I think that all of the places we have been are not good winter locations unless you want to be the iceman. We hear stories of blizzards and shut in days, road closures, etc.

Which brings us to the Badlands National Park. The formations are impressive and colourful; high enough and very steep. The name apparently was Badlands To Cross. Many stories about the native Sioux fleeing through the badlands in winter to escape the cavalry, only to get massacred just to the south at Wounded Knee.

Just as you exit the badlands you confront the drugstore at Wall. The comparison is extreme. Not far down the road is Rapid City and the gateway to the Black Hills of Dakota. We explore that tomorrow.