2018 Western Scenic Tour - South Dakota

[1cheapstreet]

only 156 days to go! It's going to be a warm one today, 92. I boxed some sunshine up for you guys Jim.

[B2JOE]

156.....

[69SS 350 5 Speed]

155... Yesterday was a real spring day. It was 71 and we made a winery trip with the top down!!! It is 47 out this morning and is expected to drop to 15 and snow overnight. Woo Hoo!!!

[200WINS]

155..... Badlands Bombing Range, aka "Reflector City". You may ask about Reflector City when visiting Badlands National Park, however, my guess is they wont have an answer, at least that has been my experience. South of Badlands National Park is a place called "the Stronghold Unit". I don't know all the boundaries and facts, however this is where Reflector City sits. In 1942 the Department of Defense gave notice to residents of this are that they had ten days to vacate the land. This land was reportedly purchased at depression and dust bowl prices. This area was used as practice bombing runs and munitions target practice. The name Reflector comes from reflectors that were placed on tall poles to guide Ellsworth Air Force Base pilots to the area. Giant 250 foot targets were plowed into the land. As I understand the cars were placed on the targets in 1966 by the South Dakota Air National Gaurd. There were more than one target, this is the only one that remains today. The Indians call this a "Medicine Wheel", not a target. Badlands Bombing Range is remote and the path leading there can be difficult to pass, however it is accessible to the public. Be aware, there is private land that is crossed to get to the range, there can be unexploded ordinance, and there are rattle snakes. These pictures were taken by a friend of mine that ventured to see it. Check out these links.......

http://www.keloland.com/news/article...-troubled-past

http://toxicsites.org/Pine_Ridge.pdf

http://www.hometown-pages.com/Conten...et/14/59/14476

https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/...reflector-city

[bearphoto]

155...Jeep temp reading yesterday...97 degrees. And it was AWESOME!

[1cheapstreet]

with only 155 days to go, we saw/heard construction until almost 11:30 last night. The roofers came back at 8:30pm because it was too hot during the day and the material was sticking together. They were back at 6:10 this morning!

[B2JOE]

155 to go.......

[street72]

ONLY 155 days to go and it's our pack up the house day.. Everything we own goes into storage for 3 months and we are officially homeless on Monday. Heading to Florida for 3 weeks and do a cruise while there. Then come back into a rental house until our new house is finished at the end of June..See you all...

[moparjim71]

155. Wow, everyone is so busy, I’m just working. Although I’m taking my grandson on garage tours Saturday in northern Iowa. Looks like they have about 17-20 garages that will be opened up for us, hope to see lots of vintage speed parts, etc.

[69SS 350 5 Speed]

154... Hope everyone has a great weekend. Rett and Donna, Safe travels. Ken & Linda, Glad to see your house is coming together. George, Keep the facts coming. I have seen pictures of Reflector City before. Another great history lesson.

[bearphoto]

154...Linda and Ken, hopefully your neighbors are still friendly after all the late and early construction racket!

[1cheapstreet]

only 154 days to go and it's 78 degrees here. We are 62 degrees warmer than my brother in Sioux Falls with 16 degrees, brrr! Have fun today Jim!

[moparjim71]

154. Thanks, we had a great time!

[200WINS]

154....... enjoyed cruising northwest Iowa today, Sioux Center, Sheldon Garage Tours. 18 garage visits, fun stuff!

[69SS 350 5 Speed]

153... Sounds like a busy weekend for everyone. We were supposed to go to the first Cars and Coffee of the year but 17 degrees and 15 mile per hour winds was just a little too cold to be standing around.