Badlands & Beyond 2020 with Daphne Draa

SUN, JUNE 7 INDIANAPOLIS, IN - CEDAR RAPIDS, IO
Depart from Indianapolis by private motor coach. Drive to Cedar Rapids where you will meet your local guide and visit the Grant Woods home, studio and art museum. D

MON, JUNE 8 CEDAR RAPIDS - SIOUX FALLS, SD
Start your day with a drive to Sioux Falls. The history of Sioux Falls revolves around the cascades of the Big Sioux River. The falls were created about 14,000 years ago during the last ice age. Prior to being settled by Europeans, Ho-Chunk, Ioway, Otoe, Missouri, Omaha (and Ponca at the time), Quapaw, Kansa, Osage, Arikira, Dakota, and Cheyenne people inhabited and settled the region. Numerous burial mounds still exist on the high bluffs near the river and are spread throughout the general vicinity. Ride a bicycle in Sioux Falls to discover the falls park and other city parks. B, D

TUE, JUNE 9 SIOUX FALLS - BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Board your motor coach and transfer to the beautiful Badlands National Park. Located in the midst of the Northern Great Plains and named Mako Sica by the Lakota people, the Park has 244,000 acres of spectacular landscapes, native mixed grass prairie, a large variety of native wildlife, amazing fossils, wonderful skyscapes, and compelling human history. Spend the rest of the day experiencing the beauty of the Badlands such as hiking through the prairie grasses and unique geologic formations. B, D

WED, JUNE 10 BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Spend the whole day discovering the ecological and historical significance of the Park, which is roughly half badlands geologic formations and half mixed-grass prairie ecosystem. The striking scenery of the rugged spires and deep canyons will mesmerize you. Spend time walking through the prairie and you may get to know the plants and animals and perhaps even see fossils. You may visit Murdo 1880s town if time permits. B, D

THU, JUNE 11 BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK - WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK/HOT SPRINGS
After breakfast at Wall Drugs, drive to the Wind Cave National Park. Tour the famous cave and hike through the largest remaining natural mixed-grass prairie in the United States. Established in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt, it was the seventh national park and the first cave to be designated a national park anywhere in the world. The cave is notable for its calcite formations known as boxwork, its frostwork and that it is one of the longest caves in the world (149.01 mi). Continue on to Hot Springs, and enjoy a soak in one of its naturally warm 87 °F spring water pools. B, D 

FRI, JUNE 12 HOT SPRINGS - RAPID CITY, SD
Transfer to the famous Crazy Horse Monument that is under construction on privately held land in the Black Hills. It depicts the Oglala Lakota warrior, Crazy Horse, riding a horse and pointing into the distance. On to visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial, centered around a sculpture carved into the granite face of Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills in Keystone, South Dakota. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum created the sculpture’s design and oversaw the project’s execution from 1927 to 1941.  The sculptures feature the 60-foot heads of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. South Dakota historian Doane Robinson is credited with conceiving the idea of carving the likenesses of famous people into the Black Hills region in order to promote tourism. Continue on to Rapid City, home to popular attractions like Art Alley, Dinosaur Park, the City of Presidents walking tour, Main Street Square and more. The historic “Old West” town of Deadwood is also nearby. B, D

SAT, JUNE 13 RAPID CITY - DESMET, SD
This morning, journey to DeSmet. Along the way, stop at Dignity in Chamberlain for a visit. Continue to DeSmet and Laura Ingalls Homestead. In a hands-on experience, tour her home, school, and gravesite. Learn about Laura Ingalls Wilder and pioneer history by participating in a variety of activities. You may try to drive a covered wagon and twisting hay sticks. Make a jump rope and a corn cob doll to take home with you. Participate in a one-room schoolhouse session to learn about what school was like for children living in 1880s Dakota Territory. B, D 

SUN, JUNE 14 DESMET- MADISON, WI
Depart Rapid City for Madison. Upon arrival, walk along the University of Wisconsin campus on a self-guided tour. This evening, share a farewell dinner at Kavanaugh’s Esquire Supper Club with the group. B, D

MON, JUNE 15 MADISON - INDIANAPOLIS
Board your bus to Indianapolis. Stop for lunch at Fair Oaks Farms with a tour. Arrive late afternoon in Indianapolis with many memories of your tour of historical United States. B