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.
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Looking vertically up at a skyscraper in Chicago. Photo: Malik Merchant using Canon Powershot A2200.
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Minneapolis skyline from Target Field with the Minesotta Twins game in progress which the visitors, Oakland, easily won. Photo: Malik Merchant using a Blackberry.
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Worth visiting – the Museum of Russian Art in Minneapolis. Photo: Malik Merchant using Blackberry.
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“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
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An informative panel about pigeons at a rest area. Photo: Malik Merchant using Canon Powershot A2200.
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Badlands National Park, South Dakota. Photo: Malik Merchant using Canon Powershot A2200.
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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.
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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.
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A herd of bison at Badlands National Park. Photo: Malik Merchant using Canon Powershot A2200
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A cute wild baby rabbit at Badlands National Park. Photo: Malik Merchant using Canon Powershot A2200
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Youth at edge of a trail at Badlands National Park. Photo: Malik Merchant using Canon Powershot A2200.
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Artwork in Rapid City’s Art Alley. Photo: Malik Merchant using Canon Powershot A2200.
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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.
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A chair in a bookstore in Rapid City with a clear message about reading. Photo: Malik Merchant using Canon Powershot A2200.
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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:
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