Montana uses the slogan “big sky country”. However, as I bicycle through these parts of South Dakota, it also reminds me of the slogan with wide open vistas and plains. I still see corn, but less than Iowa. The trees are not as tall as further east and it is rare to be able to stop on the road next to a tree. I get the sense I am (very slowly) moving to less humid areas with less annual precipitation.

Today I had one eye out on the weather. There is enough moisture as well as energy to enable thunderstorms. It all stayed dry but I did have areas of fog this morning. I left at sunrise and otherwise made good progress. The roads continue to be good with a reasonable shoulder.

One of the first photos leaving Yankton. There is some mist ahead which later became fog.

Two clusters of cows. The ones up front I believe are beef cattle. They decided I was interesting and started to gather for a look. The ones behind are black and white spotted and believe are dairy.

Tabor was at ~16 miles and one can see more of the fog.

First stop was Tyndall and here is the road leaving Tyndall.

Avon has a claim to fame as the birthplace of George McGovern, senator and presidential candidate.

I think this is the “gas, food” part of town I found open. A few tables inside and a small group doing either a civic meeting or bible study – not quite sure.

There was a “motel” sign pointing here, but not sure it is in business anymore. I get the sense that a number of the small towns still have motels like this. They aren’t necessarily open all the time for roadside business but might be hired out for family events or hunting season. There are some turned into housing and some more abandoned. This one looks in good enough condition that I could see it occasionally used.

The Google Map shows a Yankton Reservation and I see these signs. However, I didn’t see other indications of this being a more formal reservation.

A small shrine in the country.

Wagner has one traffic light and a population of 1,506. They also proudly show 20 signs at their entrance. I arrived for late lunch where I also learned that Pierre, South Dakota is pronounced “peer”. Also the claim is made that this is the only state where none of the letters from the city name are re-used in the state name.

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