When I left off last time, our Alaska expedition was planned as far as Mitchell, South Dakota. From Mitchell, it’s an easy 220-mile drive to the Badlands — well within the Weeble Rules mileage limit. Originally, I only planned two days in the Badlands, but the deeper I looked into what’s there, the more it became clear that two days wasn’t going to cut it. So those two days grew into four — and knowing me, there’s always a chance I’ll find enough to do that I end up wanting a fifth day too. Honestly? I’m glad for the extra time. There’s simply too much here to rush through.
One of the places I absolutely wanted to visit is the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, as a child of the Cold War era — the generation that was taught to crawl under a school desk in case of an air raid — the Minuteman site hits a little differently. Back then, those missile silos were just mysterious things adults whispered about. Today, they stand as reminders of a tense time in our history, and I think it’ll be fascinating to finally see one up close instead of through old newsreels and classroom drills.
We’ll likely stop at Wall Drug either before or after our visit to the missile site. Wall Drug is one of those quirky roadside icons — part tourist trap, part Old West, part everything else — that you almost have to experience at least once. Whether you’re there for the doughnuts, the jackalope, or the endless signs along I-90, it’s worth a quick wander.
From there, the plan is to drive the full Badlands Loop Road — a scenic route with viewpoints that seem to hit you every few minutes. Unlike some folks, we won’t be taking the famous Needles Highway. As interesting as that drive is, the tunnels come in under ten feet, and our RV will be sitting somewhere around eleven to twelve. As far as I know, twelve still doesn’t fit into ten, no matter how much I wish it did.
Of course, no trip through this part of the country is complete without seeing Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial. Both are icons — the kind of places you’ve seen in photos your whole life, but they take on an entirely different scale when you’re standing there in person. Day 3 is dedicated to both of them. Rushmore for the history and the sheer artistry carved into the mountain… and Crazy Horse for its unbelievable ambition. They say the entire sculpture won’t be finished in my lifetime — or yours — but even in its current state, it’s worth every minute of the visit.
Now, you may be wondering: why Deadwood? Why add a full day there?
Well, Deadwood is packed with Old West history. Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried there — two legends with stories that stretch bigger than life itself. And from what I understand, the town pretty much runs on gambling these days, so it’ll be interesting to see all the different casinos and historic buildings.
But I’ll be honest… there’s one more reason.
This may be the only way Mrs. Weeble will ever let me visit a bordello.
Before anyone panics, Deadwood has tours of restored historic bordellos — museum-style walkthroughs that show how the “business district” operated in the late 1800s. It’s history, I swear!
The beauty of this entire stretch is that time isn’t our enemy. We don’t have a deadline waiting for us on the other side. For once, we get to explore at our own pace, take the detours we want, and soak in the places that deserve more than a quick look before hurrying on.
As we keep moving west, the journey continues to surprise us. Every stop seems to open the door to something new — a piece of history, a roadside legend, or a memory waiting to be made. And the best part? This trip isn’t rushed. For once, we get to roll along at our own pace, take in the views, and enjoy the adventure as it unfolds.
To be continued…
Have thoughts, ideas, or suggestions on places we should see along the way? Feel free to leave a comment — we always enjoy hearing from fellow travelers.