Before leaving Mitchell, SD, I checked RoadNow.com. That is the website that can locate rest areas on the interstates.  The sunset drive to Murdo was astounding… there were flashes of red and orange lightning in the southern sky which took place about every 6 seconds which continued for most of this leg of the trip. I felt like an airplane pilot who was flying past a storm.  I heard no thunder at all, so I just enjoyed the light show!

I arrived in Murdo, SD at 11:08pm with 42 range remaining. The odometer was 21,409 and temp was 71 degrees.  I purchased a few post cards in the motel lobby and was on my way at 12:10 am with 197 range. I drove 25 miles to the rest area on 90 W at mile marker 167. I woke up briefly at 5am (really 4am MDT) and went back to sleep until 7am (actually 6am MDT… but I did not realize this yet). My car was parked next to a huge RV from Pennsylvania with a generator running all night, but I was too tired to care.  I left the RV behind at 6:25 MDT with 171 range remaining and odometer at 21,434 and temp of 65 degrees.  I am off to see the Badlands!

I drove 36 miles to the exit for the Badlands through drizzle and rain. The skies were overcast and gray and it was very hazy.  I arrived at the kiosk to pay the entry fee and had to pull over to look for some cash. I was willing to pay the $15 since I had saved more than that by avoiding the toll roads in Pennsylvania!  The Badlands reminded me of giant sandcastles that we would build at the beach in New Jersey as kids. I had entered at 7:10am, so few people were around. I took some photos, did some short hiking, and went to the visitor center. It was raining steadily as I left the visitor center. It was 67 degrees, range at 127, and odometer 21,479.

By 8am I made my way to 44 W to head toward Rapid City, SD via the backroad. This was my all time favorite stretch of road on this trip.  For about 72 miles, I encountered only 3 vehicles west bound, and I slowed to let them pass. Many motorcycles and other vehicles came through in the east bound direction. The scenery was okay, but I kept thinking that with an 85 kw car and lots of extra range, the long straight stretches would be mighty tempting!  Alas, with my 60kw, I am sticking to the 65mph limit.

I arrived at the Rushmore Mall supercharger at 9:34am with odometer 21,556 and 48 range and temp 70 degrees. After making a plan for the afternoon, and typing this posting, I was fully charged to 204 and departed at 11:50am for my next South Dakota adventure.

Frugal Tesla