The End of the Road in South Dakota

Wed 7/5 - Martin SD
Another tiny town in cattle country.  The motel was quite nice, but the weather was quite hot (>100°).  I've been trying to leave each town before 7:00 AM to avoid the worst heat of the day.

Had breakfast at the Martin Cattle Auction cafe Thursday Morning. 

Thurs 7/6 - Rosebud, SD
The Salt Camp cabin I stayed at is the most isolated lodging I've had so far.  The cabin was about 1/2 mile down a dirt road.  The land is all Indian Reservation land.  Nothing around... no town, no people.  When I checked in, we saw a coyote running across the owner's road leaving her chicken coop.  She helped me after grabbing her shotgun and making sure the coyote was gone.   The cabin had a full kitchen, with dishes and cookware.  Laura was kind enough to drive me into town (about 10 miles away) to pick up some groceries for dinner.  

Fri 7/7 - Winner, SD
An slightly larger town.  Big enough to support a McDonalds, a Shopko and a few motels besides the Super 8 where I stayed.

Sat 7/8 - Bonesteel, SD
A very tiny town.  1 really basic motel, 2 eateries and a gas station... but, to their credit they had a community swimming pool.   Pretty impressive for a town of less than 300 people.

Sun 7/9 - Whitetail River Lodge, Niobrara, NB
Lovely bed and breakfast.  By the time I got to town it was 104°.

That's right, population 1 !   This town is in SD, about 25 miles west of Niobrara, NB.  I wonder what their city council meetings are like...

Mon 7/10 - Vermillion
A little cooler today (only 90°) .   Now I'm getting headwinds.  This town is home to the University of South Dakota, and a population of about 10,000, making it big enough to support a Walmart and other decent amenities.

Tomorrow will be above 100, with 12 mph dead-on headwinds as I head into Iowa.  Not looking forward to that...