International Club Explores the Beauty of Rapid City
During spring break, 20 members of the International Club embarked on a four-day trip to explore the natural wonders and historical landmarks of the Rapid City region. The tour included tours of well-known landmarks, hiking excursions, and encounters with the region’s diverse wildlife.
Day 1: Wall Drug and Deadwood
The tour began at Wall Drug, which is a highly frequented roadside stop renowned for its retro Western charm, ample variety of shopping, and history displays. Club members strolled along its specialty stores, enjoyed the famous homemade donuts, and gazed at the oddball photo areas outside the building.
Following their trip to Wall Drug, the club had initially planned to proceed to Badlands National Park but directly proceeded to Deadwood due to time constraints. Deadwood, rich in history by virtue of the Gold Rush days, had much to provide. The club walked down historic Main Street, where they viewed restored 19th-century buildings and learned about famous names like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Some of the club members visited the Adams Museum to get more information about the town’s history, while other observed gunfights in the Wild West reenactments or toured the town’s renowned entertainment and gaming places.
Day 2: Mount Rushmore and Black Elk Peak
During their second day, the club visited Mount Rushmore National Memorial and viewed the massive granite statues of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The group took the Presidential Trail, which provided up-close views of the monument, and visited the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center to get an overview of the construction process and history of the memorial. A few members visited the Sculptor’s Studio, where original models and tools employed in the creation of the monument were displayed.
After Mount Rushmore, the group traveled to Black Elk Peak, the state’s highest natural point at 7,242 feet. Hiking there was not a planned discussed with everyone, so most of them were under, most likely not prepared at all for the journey. But still for the memory and adventurous spirit, they took on the challenge. The round-trip hike of seven miles took about five hours, since the trail made a circuitous route through dense pine woods and rocky outcroppings. Everyone hiked at their own pace. Some were fast, some were slow, and some were lost. But at the summit, they all found the historic Harney Lookout Tower with a view of wide vistas of surrounding Black Hills. Endurance on the hike was rewarded by scenic views of rolling hills and distant mountain ranges.
Day 3: Custer State Park and Spearfish Falls
Day three was spent at Custer State Park, a well-known wildlife reserve that covers over 71,000 acres. At the park visitor center, members learned about the local wildlife and how it is conserved before driving on the wildlife-dense Wildlife Loop Road. During the drive, the group observed huge herds of bison, pronghorn antelope, and mountain goats. Some stopped to take pictures of the grazing animals.
Initially, the group planned to visit Wind Cave National Park, which had recently reopened, but they were unable to enter due to the requirement for reservations. Instead, they considered visiting the hot springs but ultimately decided to explore Spearfish Falls. The road leading to the waterfall was blocked, requiring them to walk an additional mile to reach the site. The waterfall itself, located in Spearfish Canyon, cascaded down rugged cliffs into a quiet pool below, offering a picturesque setting to take in the natural surroundings.
Day 4: Badlands National Park
The club took a drive along the Badlands Loop Scenic Byway with a stop at a number of viewpoints to enjoy the brightly colored layered rock formations and vast canyons. All of the members admired the striking rock formations, deep canyons, and layered geological features before continuing their journey back to Madison.
The trip provided an in-depth exploration of South Dakota’s diverse landscapes, blending history, geology, and outdoor adventure. From historic towns to rugged wilderness, the International Club members gained firsthand experience of the region’s unique characteristics and natural beauty.
It was a fun trip, and being part of the trip, experiencing it with my friends will be a core part of my memories for a long time.
