Wall, SD

     Thursday 8/29 we headed out about 10:30, going to the Minuteman Missile Visitor Center, checking to see about the tours and how they were scheduled.  What a shock, they had room for us at 11:30, (and many more later in the day), but for us back in the car and head west on I-90 about 5 miles to the Launch Control Facility.  Our guide was retired AF(Col) and actually had worked the Minuteman Missile Mission for many years.  We had a little orientation outside the facility, showing us all the different antennas and types of antenna that were used for this mission.  He explained all the miles of underground cables that were installed between all the launch control centers and 1000 missile silos and explained if this all failed and communication is lost between everything on ground, they could be launched by plane.  After all that information we  headed into the "Soft" Control Center (above ground control center).  We got a tour of the living quarters and the control center there and he explained the rotation of all the Airmen  (Missile-teers, Security, and Commander).  Next its down an elevator to the actual Launch Control Center.  It is 30 feet below ground and we see the actual capsule that the Missile-teers are locked in, how everything worked, how the missile launch commands would be received and the process used to launch the missiles.  Our guide, Jim Hastings, was knowledgeable and answered our questions with ease, a very worthy stop. 

Door to Capsule

     After that we headed back to the Minuteman Visitor center to check out the information there and see the short film they had....not bad.  Then back into the Badlands for lunch and another short tour.  This time we headed to a town 'Interior' that is listed on most of the brochures....not much there, but they did have a geocache that we managed to find.  It is getting on to 4:00 by this time and we still need to stop at the actual missile silo, so back on I-90, heading towards home, but the missile silo is on our way.  We got there, did a little walk around, not much to see other than the missile, still in the ground, and a few other cement areas that are closed and locked.  We notice 2 more cars pulling in so decide it's time to leave, but on the way out the gate Brad notices a cell phone tour pamphlet hanging on the gate.  OK we get the pamphlet, call the number and actually listen to their tour, got a few of our questions answered and then actually left after that.  What an interesting day. 

       We then headed home and found a butcher shop on our way through town so we stopped to get some meats for our travels.  The two behind the counter were very nice and as we got to talking, it turns out the  guy at the counter is from Lancaster Pa., seems he came out with a friend last year  and ended up never going home, small world.   After that we headed home to rescue Rudy from his kennel, had left overs for dinner and now Brad is on the count down for bed.  More to come tomorrow, one more day in Wall, SD.

Minuteman Pictures:
https://picasaweb.google.com/115574168101787483704/MinutemanTour?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCIS6j8_Z76y-oAE&feat=directlink
 

Friday was a lazy day, we just hung out, did laundry, breakfast and some mundane things here at home.  Finally we headed out to lunch, which ended up being the Wall Drug Cafe's  'Famous Hot Roast Beef Sandwich and mashed potatoes', delicious.  Brad wanted to go to the BB-Q house, but I think we did good with our final choice.  We ended up walking through the Wall Drug stores again, seeing some of the many things we missed the first time we were here.  After that we headed out to do a geocache or two heading to  a small town about 6 miles away.  We did have to chuckle when we found the town.....this sign has the population on it '44'.  After that back home for a light dinner and some lazy time.

Saturday 8-31 we got up and slowly packed for our  move, getting on the road about 9:30(Mountain Time).  We headed east on I-90, destination, Mitchell, SD.....off to see the one and only 'Corn Palace'.  It's a little over a 200 mile drive, so a rest stop or two with a geocache or two, and we arrive about 3:40 (Central Time), find our spot and get set up.  Not a bad place for $25.00 a night, the place if full and the sites are nicely shaded.  We just hung out for the night, burgers for dinner and wait to see what tomorrow brings.