Text and photos by Malik Merchant
Editor-Publisher, www.simerg.com
Badlands National Park, South Dakota. Photo: Malik Merchant using Canon Powershot A2200.
If readers were wondering, I am making a 4500km road-trip across the continent, and will resume blog updates with highly interesting readings once I reach my destination – Vancouver. Starting my journey in Ottawa, Canada, I have covered about half the distance in just over a week. I am not rushing – enjoying the drive at my own steady pace, maintaining posted speed limits, staying overnight at various towns and cities, and taking the time to visit some important landmarks and highlights. And, of course, calling my parents and (texting) my daughter about my whereabouts.
I marvel at the excellent facilities provided at the clean “Rest Areas” just off the excellent four lane highways every 90 to 120 kms. They allow me to stretch my legs, review the town and state information panels as well as pick up brochures. Straight ahead of me – many miles away – I have witnessed the spectacle of lightning lasting an hour or so while the starry skies above me have been clear. I have been touched by the warmth of the American people. For example, in Rapid City, South Dakota, almost everyone I passed by greeted me with a smile and kind words. I shall of course write more about my trip but in the meantime enjoy a few random photos that I have been able to upload.
Chicago Skyline from a boat tour on Lake Michigan. Photo: Malik Merchant using Canon Powershot A2200.
~~~~
Looking vertically up at a skyscraper in Chicago. Photo: Malik Merchant using Canon Powershot A2200.
~~~~
Minneapolis skyline from Target Field with the Minesotta Twins game in progress which the visitors, Oakland, easily won. Photo: Malik Merchant using a Blackberry.
~~~~
Worth visiting – the Museum of Russian Art in Minneapolis. Photo: Malik Merchant using Blackberry.
~~~~
“The World’s only Corn Palace,” a uniquely American folk art icon in the rolling Prairies town of Mitchell in South Dakota. Photo: Malik Merchant. Canon Powershot A2200
~~~~
An informative panel about pigeons at a rest area. Photo: Malik Merchant using Canon Powershot A2200.
~~~~
Badlands National Park, South Dakota. Photo: Malik Merchant using Canon Powershot A2200.
~~~~
A panoramic view of the spectacular Badlands National Park, South Dakota. The stark and rugged Badlands is the result of tens of millions of years of the geologic forces of deposition and erosion. Photo: Malik Merchant using Canon Powershot A2200.
~~~~
A sheephorn easing its way through a gentle slope at Badlands National Park. These animals can climb and shoot down slopes that appear to be almost vertical. Photo: Malik Merchant using Canon Powershot A2200.
~~~~~
A herd of bison at Badlands National Park. Photo: Malik Merchant using Canon Powershot A2200
~~~~
A cute wild baby rabbit at Badlands National Park. Photo: Malik Merchant using Canon Powershot A2200
~~~~
Youth at edge of a trail at Badlands National Park. Photo: Malik Merchant using Canon Powershot A2200.
~~~~
Artwork in Rapid City’s Art Alley. Photo: Malik Merchant using Canon Powershot A2200.
~~~~
Sculpture of Abraham Lincoln in Rapid City, South Dakota, a city that won Rand McNally’s most patriotic American city title. The city is also referred to as “The City of Presidents” with life-sized sculptures of all the American Presidents. Photo: Malik Merchant using Canon Powershot A2200.
~~~~
A chair in a bookstore in Rapid City with a clear message about reading. Photo: Malik Merchant using Canon Powershot A2200.
__________
Last year my daughter, Nurin, and I made a terrific trip to Salt Lake City and the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. Please click on:
- Our Incredible ‘Yellowstone’ Holiday – Part I: Salt Lake City
- Our Incredible ‘Yellowstone’ Holiday: Part II – Wild Life Safari at Grand Teton National Park
- Our Incredible ‘Yellowstone’ Holiday: Part III – The Yellowstone Caldera and Geysers of the Old Faithful Basin
- Scenes from America: Five Colossal Faces, a Beautiful Lake and a Needle’s Eye in the Black Hills of South Dakota
Simerg - Insights from Around the World 
just went through the badlands area last year – amazing what God did there!! we loved the whole trip and all the great ruggedness.
Beautiful pics. Look forward to hearing about the rest of the trip. Thanks a lot.
Shirin Hirji
Nice story and photos. Wish I could travel around at a leisurly pace and see all of America – enjoy your trip.
Rose
Reblogged this on The Ramadhan Diaries and commented:
Worth sharing as some great pics with words!
Beautiful pictures Malik. Congratulations for being freshly pressed.
I have never been to US although several times to Canada, simple reason, no contact there. You make this part of the world pleasant, showing us the best of sites and spirit of people always positive anywhere. However, as a Peace Activist I pray that America would follow this path rather than of wars after wars on other countries! Yours is my favourite blog and you know that, Malik!
Wow, awesome photos! I especially like the one of the bunny! Thanks for the great post! Looking forward to the next!
Beautiful. You have seen some of the places that shaped my childhood (Badlands, Corn Palace). Enjoy your travels!
It was great meeting you Malik in Chicago during your visit, I am sure, your USA trip was much enjoyable, fruitful and memorable. Some of the Chicago people were futunate to meet you in person.
Beautiful and interesting shots. Added some of them on pinterest. 🙂
—————
colorado springs divorce lawyers
Great photos to understand America slighly better
Lovely pix, and congrats on being freshly pressed.
Those pictures are really quite spectacular. My favorite is the sun on the water, and I want that reader’s chair:)
I absolutely love that Chicago skyscraper.
It’s interesting how different perspectives drastically change
what we see….
Nice photos thanks for sharing!
http://thecameraangle.wordpress.com/
Very nice photos & post. Thanks for your post..
This post reminds me of a cross-continent road trip I made a few years ago. We also visited Badlands. I miss Wall Drug signs 🙂
Well done.
I absolutely LOVE that chair. 🙂 Great post!
Reblogged this on The Wandering Dreamer and commented:
This is what I want to do! Travel, see, click, like, share…
Great collection of photos… Where are your WP Likes?
Beautiful! Thanks for the memories! Grew up in S.D.
Really cool post!! i love your pictures.. 😀
Great. I enjoyed that. Good idea.
Beautiful. I’ve thought about making a cross-country road trip through the US for years – glad to see the reality lives up to the dream.
They seem a bit dissassociated and not really showing life. Like the places are a bit desserted. The chicago skyline and bison field is cool though
This sounds like a once in a lifetime experience. Thanks for sharing it.
Must be a wonderful journey and trip along the way and lovely photos.
I love that the Corn Palace made it on your list of notable landmarks! Thanks for sharing.
Interesting and beautiful photos! I’ll bet you’re having the time of your life!
Excellent blog. I’ve enjoyed poking around the rest of your articles. Keep up the great work!
You have some great shots in there. Looks beautiful!
The photo are very enjoyable and great article
Nice photos. What actually goes on in a ‘Corn Palace’? Chiropody?
GORGEOUS photos! Thanks for sharing!
http://stepstochangetheworld.wordpress.com/
Nice images.
Spectacular photos — love your perspective looking “up” the Chicago skyscraper. Wow…
From the looks of some of the interesting sites it seems you’re having a fun and relaxing time. I especially like the picture of the bunny. 🙂
My wife and I explored the edges of the Badlands 25 years ago, and your great photos brought it all back.
Very nice post. Nice pictures. Congratulations on being freshly pressed.
Please feel free to visit http://germch55.wordpress.com for virtual tours of New York.
I didn’t know South Dakota was so pictureqsue! And never got to see that skyscraper in Chicago – so I’ll look for it the next time I’m there! THANKS!
Wonderful photos! The differences in landscapes must be amazing from one end to the other. Thanks for sharing, have a lovely trip and congrats on being freshly pressed!
Keep on truckin’ Malik!….really cool pics…can’t wait to see the prose that goes with it….brings back fond memories of criss-crossing america a few times back in the 1970’s …shanti….Mo
Sounds like the same trip I took last year. We went through the same places – corn palace, Mt. Rushmore, Badlands etc….very nice drive. I did 15,000km in two months, and and yes, you are right, Americans are friendly. Enjoy your trip and thanks for the memories….if you can find a small town called St. Cloud, Minnesota….beautiful town and stay at the Hamptons…heaven on earth!!!!
Shamshad hassam. Vancouver.
Thank you for sharing your photos – informative and enjoyable.