South Dakotans call their capitol Pierre, like beer, and not Pi-ere as in the French name. My father grew up in these parts, in fact for several years he lived in Pierre, and he set me straight as a child. So dear readers, it’s important that you get it right as well. Anyway, a couple of weeks ago I decided to venture forth to my new state’s capitol, Pierre.
Pierre is a little less than an hour from here going 70 mph the whole way, which is why it’s less than an hour. Other states it would likely be a 90 minute trip. Not a gas station in site…or anything else, for that matter, the whole way there excepting many cows out grazing. This is truly ranch land.
There’s a big wind farm north of here, perhaps twenty or more turbines. One day I shall drive further north to see it. But I cut off west before the farm. Here in Ft. Thompson, and Chamberlain, we’re in the Missouri river area and the hills are rolling and beautiful. As spring is unfolding it’s greener now with almost an iridescent cast from the grasses that are pale yellow mixed in among the typical green of grass.
As you leave Ft. T it flattens out and reminds me of the desert out west, miles and miles of flat. You aren’t following the river along the way, which is apparently why it’s so flat, as when you start approaching Pierre the river reappears as do the rolling hills.
There are many houses built at the top of a knoll with decks surrounding or whole sides of windows – I imagine the views from these homes must be extraordinary. That’s true in Chamberlain as well, it seems the locals prefer to build atop a hill for the vast views, rather than directly along the river. Perhaps there are rules against building close to the river, I rather hope so as so much of our country’s beauty has been stolen due to homes and various buildings staking claim to the beauty, thus robbing the public. Case in point – the California coastline, especially my former home, Malibu. OK, off my soapbox....
I found the mall, small but what should I expect given that Pierre is the second smallest capitol in the U.S. (Vermont apparently is #1). There are a little over 5000 people in Pierre. That’s .025 the size of Madison! And Madison isn’t a big city actually, at 200,000, imagine the number of zeros if I tried to calculate the percent of Chicago.
In fact, did you know that South Dakota has less than a million in the whole state?! Milwaukee and surround is bigger, population-wise, than the entire state! As I was driving along the main road, I discovered a Walgreen’s, which was very exciting coming from Walgreen’s territory. This was the first I had seen in South Dakota. I rest assured now that I can get many of the products that I like.
I managed to find the capitol, not hard in such a small town. Again on the main road, I spotted what might be it to my right a few blocks off the road I was on. I made a couple of turns and voila!
It’s very pretty, as you can see, but Madison’s capitol is still at the top. I’m told Madison has one of the prettiest capitol buildings in the U.S. I think it looks like a small White House. But Pierre’s has it’s own stateliness and elegance as I would think all capitol buildings would. Across the street was a Memorial for veterans.
After having a wonderful pedicure (!) (heaven) and a very bad manicure which managed to last a long time, which only partially offset the bad, I was hungry so set about to find lunch. I stopped at Tom’s Diner for a burger. It was, as one might hope, a classic diner and the burger was good as was the coffee with the exception that the coffee was in a paper cup. One of my things, I like real cups for my coffee. The other thing I’ve noted here as no one seems to have anything but yellow mustard. I’m embarrassed to ask for Grey Poupon, and when I do I am often met with a quizzical look as in Grey Poupon??? It makes enjoying a hamburger or hot dog problematic for this foody snob.
Speaking of coffee cups, I must digress. My cute little coffee house in Chamberlain? Well, they have one (1) medium size "real" coffee cup. The first time I visited I was able to have it, the second time, it was in use. Ha, ha. So I had a small that day - life in a small town. City slickers must learn flexibility....
Back to Pierre. Before heading home I made sure I had a full tank. South Dakota is not a place to run out of gas; or if avoidable, have a breakdown. I shall not travel that road in precarious winter situations, that’s for sure.
Tonight they predict big winds…you mean all this wind so far has been little???? Apparently over 50 mph….well, I’m glad we’re tucked in for the night. I’ll enjoy Mother Nature’s fury from my warm…little house on the res…
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