Archive for the ‘South Dakota’ Category

Sioux Falls Mr. Bendo Muffler Man

Posted by Val on April 23rd, 2010 at 1:53 pm | Permalink | No Comments » |

Here’s another Mr. Bendo Muffler Man — this one outside of Buck’s Muffler in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Sorry for the horrible quality of these photos, but it was late and I was in a rush after convincing my traveling companion to just let me make one more stop.

In some sad sad news Mr. Bendo was recently involved in a drunk driving accident. In March a suspected drunk driver had a hit and run-in with the 15-foot muffler man damaging his legs greatly.

For more info you can like Mr. Bendo on Facebook or join the Save Mr. Bendo! Facebook group.

Site: Mr. Bendo Muffler Man
Location: 400 South Cliff Ave., Sioux Falls, SD
Cost: Free to see.
Hours: (Hopefully only) temporarily removed for repairs.
Date: August 30, 2008

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The Sinclair Oil Dinosaur – South Dakota

Posted by Val on October 23rd, 2009 at 9:49 am | Permalink | No Comments » |

If you had a choice of stopping for gas at a gas station with a big green dinosaur or one without a big green dinosaur, which would you choose?

Gas stations are a popular location for roadside attractions to hang out at. I’ve seen many a pink elephant next to the pumps. With such competition over gas nowadays, often with a station on all four corners off major highways, it’s no wonder these outposts would do anything to get you to choose them over the guy across the street.

Enter Sinclair.

Sinclair Oil was formed in 1916 by Harry Sinclair and soon became one of the seventh largest oil companies in America. The company is recognized by the Terror-Free Oil Initiative as they do not buy oil from terrorism-sponsoring states, such as those in the Middle East.

In 1930 Sinclair adopted the now famous Apatosaurus (brontosaurus) “Dino” that still graces its logo. Not only does the Sinclair dinosaur appear in the logo, packaging, and other merchandise, it also makes an appearance at many of the stations itself.

This big green dinosaur can be found at some of the Sinclair gas stations throughout the United States. I first found a Sinclair dinosaur in South Dakota on my way to Mount Rushmore.

Site: The Sinclair Oil Dinosaur
Location: Off of I-90, South Dakota
Cost: Free (gas will cost you)
Hours: Always visible.
Date: August 30, 2008

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Rapid City Dinosaur Park

Posted by Val on October 21st, 2009 at 1:23 pm | Permalink | 3 Comments » |

On May 22, 1936, a herd of dinosaurs officially made their home in Rapid City, South Dakota, and they haven’t moved since. No need to feel alarmed though! This hill-top Dinosaur Park is a playground of giant green cartoon-like sculptures!

Dinosaur Park was built in 1936 by the Works Progress Administration and, in 1990, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The iron, wire, and concrete-constructed sculptures were designed by Emmet Sullivan and were originally gray in color. In the 1950s they were repainted bright green with white details and not much, besides a little wear and tear from children climbing them, has changed since.

Five dinosaurs climb the hill: a Triceratops, a Stegosaurus, an Apatosaurus (Brontosaurus), a Tyrannosaurus Rex, and an Anatotitan.

Two others were added later near the gift shop: a Protoceratops and a Dimetrodon.

The Brontosaurus is the largest of the creatures at 80-feet long and 28-feet high and stands high above the rest. In fact, it can be seen from anywhere in the town!

The park was crafted to capitalize on the tourists coming in to see Mount Rushmore, but it is definitely a must-see for any Silly American adventurers out there who want to see some kitschy fun! Kids and adults alike have loved Dinosaur Park since the 1930s…and these dinos aren’t going extinct anytime soon!

Site: Dinosaur Park
Location: 940 Skyline Drive, Rapid City, SD
Cost: Free
Hours: Daylight Hours.
Advisory: Steep flagstone stairs may limit handicapped accessibility.
Date: August 30, 2008

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Men Made From Tires

Posted by Val on May 29th, 2009 at 8:35 am | Permalink | 1 Comment » |

A couple of friendly-looking men made from colorful tires outside of a tire shop in Rapid City, South Dakota!

Site: Men Made From Tires
Location: 27 E Omaha St, Rapid City, SD (outside Tires, Tires, Tires)
Hours: Always visible
Costs: Free to See
Date: August 30, 2008

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Back from the road!

Posted by Val on September 2nd, 2008 at 1:37 pm | Permalink | No Comments » |

And I’m back! It was quite the whirlwind of adventure! I have to admit that my list was pretty ambitious, but we managed to make it to twenty-nine attractions in four days! (Including two that weren’t on my itinerary and not including the handful that we passed by and saw without being able to stop.)
I DID make it to Mount Rushmore and it was quite a thrill to see it up close. You see, one of my favorite photos that I have is an old black and white picture of the monument that my grandparents took long ago:

Notice something missing? The photo has Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson, but Teddy Roosevelt is just framed out. I’m not sure when the photo was taken but it had to have been somewhere between 1934 and 1939, when Roosevelt was dedicated.
I’d never seen the monument in person, so, as I happened to have a four-day weekend over Labor Day I decided that it was the perfect time to pack up my car and head on over to South Dakota. By Saturday afternoon we were standing in front of the carved Black-Hills Mountain and four complete presidential faces.

While there, I also went to see Crazy Horse, which is another monument that’s been in the works for 50 years and still has 50 years to go. Who knows, maybe someday my grandkids will find this photo and be inspired to take off on a road trip of their own.

I’ll be back with a more thorough recap and tons of pics of Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and all the silly sites I stopped at on the way!

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