Movies don't usually have a personal affect on me. They are entertainment, that's all. But occasionally one comes along that stays with me. Nomadland is one of those. Achingly beautiful. And it was fun seeing some familiar places. Black Hills. Badlands. And Wall Drug, which was featured in a scene where Fern was working in the kitchen serving up a hot beef sandwich. I realize that's kind of a random detail. I tend to notice random details. Especially a hot beef sandwich. Classic. And delicious. It's been a long time since I've had one. So, a day later, I'm sitting in Wall Drug Cafe looking at the menu. Unfortunately, there is no hot beef listed. Bummer. Maybe it's a seasonable item or only served at dinner. I was there at lunch time, so I just ordered up a burger. Not bad, but not hot slices of beef on bread with mashed potatoes and gravy. I guess we're all forced to compromise once in a while.
The day was not a bust, however. I made a full travel day out of it with stops at a few small towns along the way. Drove I-90 to Wall, then Highway 240 through Badlands National Park to 44 which took me back into Rapid City. Plenty of sites and photo opps along the way. I had forgotten how spectacular the Badlands are.
I love roaming around abandoned or nearly abandoned old towns, and there are plenty of them around here. It's particularly rewarding when I come across an old hotel or any kind of vintage signs. This was right off Interstate 90 between the Black Hills and Badlands National Park.
This was in the same town. Not much left of it but still has a lot of personality.
The further south and east I got the more it became apparent that crime may be a problem way out there on the prairie. This photo was taken at another small nearly forgotten town along the way. Might be the first U.S. Post Office I've seen with bars on the door and windows.
My final stop was a place I've visited several times before. The abandoned town of Scenic, South Dakota. It's always had a strange attraction for me. I've walked up and down the highway that runs through town and wandered the side streets. This time I found these chairs lined up on the boardwalk of the run down old building that is in various states of disrepair each time I visit.
I wanted to stick around and watch the traffic go by, but it was cold and windy, and I wasn't dressed for the weather. I might go back on a nicer day. If the chairs are still there I'll sit down and wave at passing cars. Maybe they will think I'm the mayor. The mayor of a town called Scenic. That wouldn't be a bad gig.
Roger O'Dea. 2/24/2021
