Just returned from South Dakota...Wow!

SS396 · Jul 2, 2014

Unfortunately I've not traveled much of the country, but a recent trip to Sioux Falls did my heart good. As I traveled north on Interstate 29 a sign on the side of the highway read "Wear your fur, eat your steak, and keep your guns....this is America." I didn't get a picture and I'm kicking myself. I went to a Scheels store where the rifles are displayed like fishing poles at Bass Pro. I didn't know what to do with myself. I was allowed to hold them and work the actions without asking anyone. Who knew such a place existed? One guy purchased an M-4 and walked out the door with no managerial escort. Gary's guns was very similar and both had great selections. I think the employees thought something was wrong with me until I told them where I was from.

Anyway, I thought I'd share. This had a profound effect on me. Like traveling back in time. Sorry about my lame lack of photos.

iH8DemLibz · Jul 2, 2014

Ain't it a beautiful place.

Spent some time around the Black Hills and Rapid City about 20 years ago.

Mount Rushmore is amazing when seen up close.

North Dakota keeps calling my name, but the winters bring me back to reality.

Nodak Kid · Jul 2, 2014

That part of the country is the True America. Thousands and thousands of acres to roam free on and nobody in the back ground, dictating their silly little liberal rules and/or views. This sort of thing is not tolerated. Most people are very hard working and always willing to help their fellow man. These were some of the original building blocks of this great country. which have been lost over the course of time. Garys is a great place has a bit of everything.

ND has been calling my name for over 27 yrs, but the wife isn't really on board with any of the cold stuff. Will continue to work on changing her mind. If you stay out of the Northwestern part of the State, where big oil is pushing property values, you can pick up a few hundred acres at a good price to build a nice summer home. The State is in the black unlike others, so far under water they'll never see daylight. Unemployment is around 3%. Everybody should add this to their bucket list.

Brooklyn · Jul 2, 2014

Nodak Kid said:
That part of the country is the True America. Thousands and thousands of acres to roam free on and nobody in the back ground, dictating their silly little liberal rules and/or views. This sort of thing is not tolerated. Most people are very hard working and always willing to help their fellow man. These were some of the original building blocks of this great country. which have been lost over the course of time. Garys is a great place has a bit of everything.

ND has been calling my name for over 27 yrs, but the wife isn't really on board with any of the cold stuff. Will continue to work on changing her mind. If you stay out of the Northwestern part of the State, where big oil is pushing property values, you can pick up a few hundred acres at a good price to build a nice summer home. The State is in the black unlike others, so far under water they'll never see daylight. Unemployment is around 3%. Everybody should add this to their bucket list.

This needs looking into -- road trip !! well maybe not its a long rde

but plans need to be made ..

ryan_j · Jul 2, 2014

The only thing I'd hate about a place like that is the cold weather.

But with plenty of land and freedom, I would love to live in such a place.

nedsurf · Jul 2, 2014

Makes one question those who call them "flyover states".

SS396 · Jul 2, 2014

Nodak Kid said:
That part of the country is the True America. Thousands and thousands of acres to roam free on and nobody in the back ground, dictating their silly little liberal rules and/or views. This sort of thing is not tolerated. Most people are very hard working and always willing to help their fellow man. These were some of the original building blocks of this great country. which have been lost over the course of time. Garys is a great place has a bit of everything.

ND has been calling my name for over 27 yrs, but the wife isn't really on board with any of the cold stuff. Will continue to work on changing her mind. If you stay out of the Northwestern part of the State, where big oil is pushing property values, you can pick up a few hundred acres at a good price to build a nice summer home. The State is in the black unlike others, so far under water they'll never see daylight. Unemployment is around 3%. Everybody should add this to their bucket list.

This was the first time I've been to any of the Great Plains states and was awestruck at the vast openness. It makes one realize just how vast this great land really is; and I only saw a fraction of it. I couldn't help but notice the rich black soil too. Not the clay and rock we have here. Winters would be a problem though that far north. I need to check out the southern plains. I really need to travel more.

konx · Jul 3, 2014

I didn't get a picture and I'm kicking myself.

Is this it?
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BGhKSgZCUAAcq5y.jpg

tball · Jul 3, 2014

It is an amazing feeling when you go to a free state.

Bolts Rock · Jul 3, 2014

If it wasn't for the winters, the Dakotas and Montana would be on my list.

abean4187 · Jul 3, 2014

I hear America is a nice place.

tourrider · Jul 3, 2014

abean4187 said:
I hear America is a nice place.

It is. It's people are awesome. Over the years I have logged many a motorcycle mile in no less than 40 of our states. I retire in 9 years, and it's hard to decide what part of America I'll be moving back to.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

TxAggie · Jul 3, 2014

SS396 said:
Unfortunately I've not traveled much of the country, but a recent trip to Sioux Falls did my heart good. As I traveled north on Interstate 29 a sign on the side of the highway read "Wear your fur, eat your steak, and keep your guns....this is America." I didn't get a picture and I'm kicking myself. I went to a Scheels store where the rifles are displayed like fishing poles at Bass Pro. I didn't know what to do with myself. I was allowed to hold them and work the actions without asking anyone. Who knew such a place existed? One guy purchased an M-4 and walked out the door with no managerial escort. Gary's guns was very similar and both had great selections. I think the employees thought something was wrong with me until I told them where I was from.

Anyway, I thought I'd share. This had a profound effect on me. Like traveling back in time. Sorry about my lame lack of photos.

This is why I keep trying to remind everyone that Maryland is NOT a representation of the rest of America.

Raineman · Jul 3, 2014

tball said:
It is an amazing feeling when you go to a free state.

Indeed. I just spent a few days riding around West Virginia and I thought I was on a different planet.

Realizing that I have become "conditioned" to Maryland scared the bejesus out of me and was a real wake up call.

After getting back and seeing what happened in the primaries (I voted early), I am now serious about getting out.

Vic · Jul 3, 2014

We are getting ready to put the house on the market and looking towards PA. Longer drive to work but probably worth it. Then we plan to do many roadtrips out west to see where we want to retire. A recent survey showed that many of the west/midwest states are the place to go. Almost a line from Colorado north and northeast. I am kind of leaning towards Wyoming or Iowa. Wyoming more since they have elk and moose. Will have to see what moves us.
Vic

clint · Jul 3, 2014

And native Marylanders always wonder why transplants don't like it here. Now I'm not saying where I'm originally from is the best, just that it is better than Maryland. I feel native Marylanders do themselves a disservice by not getting out. The Midwest is generally looked down upon by people out here. Not to say it doesn't have its negatives but the positives outweigh the negatives by a lot. The winters aren't that bad. Just add more layers. You can't do that with heat and humidity out here. I could walk around naked and I'd still feel hot and humid (this summer hasn't been that bad so far).

shootin the breeze · Jul 3, 2014

I worked a total of about 10-12 weeks in Sioux Falls over two years. All of it was in non-winter months so I never experienced the snow but I love that city. It's got everything you need, just about everything you could want and it's still small enough that you can be out of it and living on however many acres you can afford in no time. Everyone is friendly but not nosy and they all value work and liberty. Plus no state income tax. I'd have to sample a winter before I could say I'd move there but it and the other states around there are on my list as is home (TX) and TN.

Shift · Jul 3, 2014

This one?

SS396 · Jul 3, 2014

konx said:
Is this it?
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BGhKSgZCUAAcq5y.jpg

Shift said:
This one?

That's it. That's got to be someones avatar by now, or I would use it. As I passed that shortly after entering the state, I felt as though I was home. We tend to get "beat down" here on the east coast. Nice to see the other side of the wall now and then. Thanks for the photo!

iH8DemLibz · Jul 3, 2014

nedsurf said:
Makes one question those who call them "flyover states".

Just like the grass lands in Dances With Wolves.

When landing, it's miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiles and miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiles of grass lands and a sporadic tree here and there.

Just returned from South Dakota...Wow!

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