Hawkeye Point
| Iowa |
Elevation: 1,670'
Vertical Gain: 10'
Vertical Gain: 10'
Date: May 30, 2013
Time: 4:10 PM
Time: 4:10 PM
Weather: Partly sunny, windy
Party: Bob, Kevin
Party: Bob, Kevin
Keeping our internal clocks on Central Time, Kevin and I were up at 5:15 today and made a
quick exit in the rain from our Custer State Park campsite. We drove slightly out of the way to
see the Crazy Horse monument which did not look any further completed from when we've
seen it some years earlier. From there, we drove to and around the 20 mile Custer State Park
wildlife loop which was deserted of people that early in the morning. We quickly saw one
bison and then some deer and turkeys and then nothing until finding the big herd of bison
near the end of the loop. We had lots of driving to do to get to Hawkeye Point so there was no
time to explore the Badlands which I would like to see someday.
We did take the time to stop at the touristy but interesting Wall Drug Store a short way from the
Badlands. The numerous signs on the highway, some enticing us with doughnuts and 5 cent
coffee, caught our interest. The store started during the depression as Mount Rushmore was
being built and although it started out slowly, once signs went up along the highway offering
free ice water, business took off. I guess that business model still works today since it worked
on us. Today, it is many stores in one, along with some restaurants, with a strong western
theme. Kevin and I especially enjoyed the old photos of Native Americans and other western
subjects.
We finally arrived at Hawkeye Point in northwest Iowa at 4:10 PM and wandered around it for
20 minutes or so. It is a cute and nicely kept farm location that was recently donated to
Osceola County. They clearly take pride in it and have added a small museum in a barn as well
as signs that point to all the other highpoints. The county also purchased some additional
abutting acreage to create a small campground.
Adding Missouri to our itinerary was still on target but would require a good amount of driving
to do it so we turned south to Kansas City, then east towards St. Louis with the intent of going
until we were too tired to continue. On the way, as the sun was setting, we watched interesting
and threatening storms off to the west. We finally pulled into a rest area off of I70 near
Booneville for some awkward sleep in the car.
quick exit in the rain from our Custer State Park campsite. We drove slightly out of the way to
see the Crazy Horse monument which did not look any further completed from when we've
seen it some years earlier. From there, we drove to and around the 20 mile Custer State Park
wildlife loop which was deserted of people that early in the morning. We quickly saw one
bison and then some deer and turkeys and then nothing until finding the big herd of bison
near the end of the loop. We had lots of driving to do to get to Hawkeye Point so there was no
time to explore the Badlands which I would like to see someday.
We did take the time to stop at the touristy but interesting Wall Drug Store a short way from the
Badlands. The numerous signs on the highway, some enticing us with doughnuts and 5 cent
coffee, caught our interest. The store started during the depression as Mount Rushmore was
being built and although it started out slowly, once signs went up along the highway offering
free ice water, business took off. I guess that business model still works today since it worked
on us. Today, it is many stores in one, along with some restaurants, with a strong western
theme. Kevin and I especially enjoyed the old photos of Native Americans and other western
subjects.
We finally arrived at Hawkeye Point in northwest Iowa at 4:10 PM and wandered around it for
20 minutes or so. It is a cute and nicely kept farm location that was recently donated to
Osceola County. They clearly take pride in it and have added a small museum in a barn as well
as signs that point to all the other highpoints. The county also purchased some additional
abutting acreage to create a small campground.
Adding Missouri to our itinerary was still on target but would require a good amount of driving
to do it so we turned south to Kansas City, then east towards St. Louis with the intent of going
until we were too tired to continue. On the way, as the sun was setting, we watched interesting
and threatening storms off to the west. We finally pulled into a rest area off of I70 near
Booneville for some awkward sleep in the car.
We can't pretend this was
a tough climb.
a tough climb.
We've been there ... and there ... and there
... but not Hawaii!
... but not Hawaii!
Stormchasers!
Actually the storm was chasing us.
We drove between two systems near
Kansas City. Later, tornados would
touch down just east of St. Louis
shortly after we passed through.
Actually the storm was chasing us.
We drove between two systems near
Kansas City. Later, tornados would
touch down just east of St. Louis
shortly after we passed through.