I’ve had the pleasure of visiting the Black Hills region with my family of origin as a teenager, as an engaged woman attending a business meeting with my fiance, and with my own family of three, multiple times. And again in September 2014 with my fellow Iowa State Cyclone, Susanne. It’s interesting to reflect back on these many visits and recall how each one felt like I was visiting the area for the first time. What I realize is that experience is always unique because of the people I travel with-each sees and feels the area in his own unique way, influencing my own personal experience.

Always ensuring that visitors have a unique personal experience is Affordable Adventures Tours. Back in 2008 when we were still living in Charleston, South Carolina, we flew into Rapid City and spent a memorable 10-hour day with Ann traipsing all over the area, whetting our appetite enough to move to South Dakota and visit the Black Hills region multiple times thereafter. So, when Susanne announced she’d like to take a tour of the area, I called Ann and set up a four-hour tour with Roger Saturday morning, starting at 7am. Again, I will say that hiring a tour guide customizes your experience; fills you with facts, legend and history, and allows you to see all the sights rather than worry about directions and traffic. This was no different. When booking, we identified points of interest and Roger added some that most tourists are unaware of.

Highlights included The Needles, Sylvan Lake, Cathedral Spires, Iron Mountain Road, Pig Tail Turns, Keystone, Custer and Coolidge Mountain. Starting so early in the day was to our advantage as most locations had no other visitors.

Susanne convinced me to visit  Devil’s Tower National Monument in Wyoming-America’s first national monument. The drive was long, but picturesque as fall’s colors were peaking.

It was our lucky day-Free Entrance to National Parks Day. We visited the Information Center and sat on  benches while watching those braver and more capable than us attempt to climb the monument. Then we headed back to South Dakota to drive through Spearfish Canyon. Other than a significant amount of traffic, it was breathtaking, especially Bridal Veil Falls and Roughluck Falls, where we stopped and communed with our surroundings.

We drove through Lead, SD enroute Historic Deadwood, South Dakota in the Northern Black Hills to visit Mount Moriah Cemetery, burial site of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. We arrived too late to hop on the Alkali Ike Tour Bus. Keep in mind the cemetery is not handicapped friendly and the best way to see it if mobility is limited is on the bus tour.

Then it was off to Sturgis, home of the infamous Motorcycle Rally, celebrating its 75th year in 2015. We did a quick drive-through so Susanne could say she’s been there since her brother attends yearly.

Like loyal Iowa State Cyclones, we spent that evening dining in and watching the Baylor Bears defeat our beloved team 49-28.

Sunday at 7:30 am we were on the road again, this time to Wall Drug in Wall, SD. If you’ve seen their infamous billboards, you know one can’t leave the state without stopping to see what all the fuss is about and to grab a cup of the free ice water. [Temperatures this day dropped from 82 Saturday to 50. Pack accordingly for SD’s ever-changing weather.]

The Badlands National Park SD  was the one place on this trip I’d never been before. Why? Just why? The cool, blustery day meant we shared the park with little other than the environment and wildlife we saw while driving.

Thursday before leaving, we vowed we’d return to Sioux Falls on a non-Interstate Highway. True to our word, we left the Badlands via Highway 44, passing through the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, stopping for a quick lunch in White River. Near Winner, SD we noticed green grass again, having seen forests and hills the previous two days. Three state parks over the Missouri River are near Platte, SD  and as one comes over the hill on Highway 44, she is met with a most memorable view, much like the one further north in Chamberlain, SD off I-90.

We passed through Parker and Tea before arriving back in Sioux Falls to something all weary travelers long for-a home cooked meal by my husband, Ken.

It was a whirlwind four days. I was so proud to show-off my new home state, South Dakota, to my fellow Cyclone, Susanne. Indeed we are Cyclones-alumni and travelers.

Let’s do it again!

Have you gone on vacation with a fellow alumni or taken an all women’s trip? Do share. How is is different than traveling with your spouse or family? If you’ve visited these areas, what else should anyone planning a trip here include on their itinerary?

Linda Leier Thomason is a former CEO who writes freelance business and travel stories, along with feature articles. Her work experiences include a Fortune 500 corporation, federal government, entrepreneurship and small business. Find out more about Linda by clicking the “Meet Linda” tab above. Interested in working together? Complete this form below.

Copyright. May 2015. Linda Leier Thomason