posted
I have never been in South Dakota, not even passing through, since Amtrak doesn't go through it. I have only 3 state capitols left, the two Dakotas and Honolulu (Amtrak doesn't go through there either hahaha), and keep trying to arrange a train-cum-bus trip to South Dakota that would take in Pierre and then Rapid City so I could see Mt Rushmore, Black Hills, and Badlands, but it's been problematic because I don't rent cars, can find no one else to go with (everyone I know who was interested in going has already been), the bus from Minneapolis is a long ride and involves a lot of expense just to make connections (would have to stay at least in Minneapolis one night and St Paul another), and arrival times are bad in many cases. Plus, without a car, it's unlikely I'd get to see everything I hoped to see in the Black Hills/Badlands, there are very few day tours from Rapid City that goes in that area and it doesn't go, for example, to Deadwood, which I wanted to see. (I'm sure there are the other sort bus tours like Tauck Tours or something but I certainly couldn't afford those.) So I never go, keep hoping to convince someone who drive to meet in Rapid City or something. . . .
I could do North Dakota more easily (though not when I do South Dakota, without a car--buses don't work, you'd have to go BACK to Minneapolis!). But I could go to Fargo with Amtrak and then bus to Bismarck, then back to Fargo and up to Winnepeg, now that that bus is running again. Then would like to take the Canadian train to Churchill and try to see the Northern Lights. But I haven't had the money for that trip yet, and I worry I won't see the Northern Lights if I go in, say, September, and don't really want to travel by bus around North Dakota in winter, when the Northern Lights are more readily seen.
Clearly these are two states where my methods of travel aren't working!
But let me know your plans for them, MGT, and maybe I'll get some better ideas!
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
I don't know if you mind flying, Sojourner, but there is a Delta non-stop flight from Minn/St Paul to Rapid City, South Dakota. Takes about 1 hr. 45 min with a cost of around $ 240 or more. Possibly there are tours to Mt. Rushmore or Deadwood by motor coach.
I've always wanted to visit Dodge City, KS. However, the SW Chief gets there at ungodly hours, from both directions. I don't think I will ever make it.
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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Ms. Sojourner, with your self imposed ban of air travel and auto rentals, how do you plan to do Honolulu?
Possibly on a Love Tub (I know Frank and Miss Vickie enjoy them, but I don't - and yes, I've been on 'em), maybe some have an itinerary including a port call in Mexico before sailing to Hawaii. Of course, some cruise line could buy up a Farallon Island, declare it a sovereign state, and have a ship sailing San Francisco make a quick call there and otherwise be on it's way to Hawaii.
While I have long said I have set foot in all 50 states, my claim on Hawaii is very tenuous. Returning from Vietnam during July 1968, the flight stopped at Hickam AFB to refuel. It was 2AM, but they kicked us all off the aircraft. I went outside, found a patch of grass, and stepped on it.
I haven't been near Hawaii since and cannot foresee any reason I would. But I can still claim it. Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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