While the festival of books is the main focus of my11-day trip to South Dakota, it’s exciting to be traveling to a part of our nation I’ve never experienced.
As a kid, our family didn’t travel and once I married vacations were not part of our budget. So, when I get a chance to be a part of different settings and cultures, I grab the adventure for all it’s worth.
In the case of South Dakota I will start out in Pierre, which is the capital located pretty much dead center in the 77,000 sq.mile state. My first event will be a book presentation at the South Dakota Women’s Prison, followed the next day by a book presentation/signing at Prairie Pages. Then I have some time to myself beforeI need to arrive at the festival in Deadwood.
There is much to see and do between the urban areas of Pierre and Deadwood, but there is one thing I am aimed at in this area. Mt. Rushmore Natl. Monument.
From my earliest school memories, I have been fascinated by this gigantic mountain sculpture of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln. The surrounding Badlands, Devils Tower and Wind Cave National Parks and the Crazy Horse Memorial are on my list as well.
In between, no doubt there will be some shopping (for cultural purposes only, of course) and a few stops to continue my Bloody Mary Tour that began in 2016 on my 64 and More Interview Project across America and Ireland. And who knows, perhaps I’ll sneak in a FB Live interview or two along the way.
Moving on to the festival will take me on a north west journey to the town of Deadwood.. A Google search of the city defines the name in the native Lakota language as Owáyasuta---meaning to approve or confirm things.
The visitors guide sent in my packet of festival information notes the city has
long been known as the center of culture and indulgence.
What I look forward to in this part of my journey is soaking up the wild west history of Calamity Jane, Wyatt Earp, Wild Bill Hickok, and the gold rush that brought thousands to this area. And, in 1961, led to the entire town to be designated as a National Historic Landmark, for its well-preserved collection of late 19th-century frontier architecture.
Eleven days. A time in my life that will be defined by books and book lovers, but will also teach me about my country---the natural beauty of America’s Midwest, the Lakota and Dakota Sioux Native American tribes who historically dominated the territory, the pioneers who had the courage to settle this wild west frontier and the ways in which we remember and honor our shared heritage.
#lifechanging
#sdbookfestival
#beautyandgrace
#beautyandgracesouthdakota
#heartandsoul
#crownhill
#chickenwingwisdom