South Dakota – This is Another Story

A Photo a Week Challenge: Unexpected Window

Published on February 3, 2019February 2, 2019 by Yinglan10 Comments

As I was watching TV last night and mindlessly browsing my photos on my tablet, I came across this picture and thought, of course, how can I forget this picture?

I shot this picture two years ago as I was visiting Mount Rushmore. There was a small opening along the trail and I remember looking up upon entering and thought, this is a nice, unique perspective of George Washington.

A Photo A Week Challenge

A Photo a Week Challenge: Opening

Published on June 18, 2018June 17, 2018 by Yinglan4 Comments

Cave opening at Cave and Basin National Historic Site of Canada

Small cave opening at Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

A Photo A Week Challenge

The Drive to South Dakota

Published on July 28, 2017July 28, 2017 by Yinglan17 Comments

I could’ve never guessed I would see so many different types of weather in a single day on this road trip. The 15-day road trip took place in early May (more than two months ago) and I can still remember the weather I encountered on the 10th day driving from Great Falls, Montana to Keystone, South Dakota.

It started out a great drive as you can tell from the above picture. The sky was blue as far as I could see. It had rained hard the night before as I was driving from Waterton Lakes, Canada to Great Falls, Montana. There were some spots where I couldn’t even see. It was a scary 6-hour journey. So seeing the blue skies and sunshine made the drive pleasant.

When we reached Billings, Montana a few hours later, the sky was overcast and gray. Then before I knew it, drops of sprinkles began falling on my rental SUV. Even though I should be used to the weather changing because I live in Utah and weather is different in every city, it still felt a little surreal how quickly the weather changed and I could see it changing.

Like how I can see I’m almost done with this particular storm.

Then I would get to see this gorgeous double rainbow. I had just entered into South Dakota, by the way.

Then just as I was about 20 minutes away from Keystone, the sky began pouring like there was a leak. I turned the window wipers to high but still couldn’t see a thing. You can do this, I told myself as I steadied my hands on the steering wheel.

As I drove along Highway 16 at about 30 mile/hour, I felt somewhat incredible because there I was, driving in the middle of a raging rainstorm, something my mom would never allow me to do, and I was doing it. At the same time, time felt like it was at a standstill. Maybe that’s the way storms work, I don’t know.

Some time later, I finally arrived at the motel in Keystone and was rewarded by this beautiful rainbow. Seeing the rainbow made me feel satisfied and proud of myself for completing the 9-hour drive safe and sound despite the nasty weather I’ve encountered along the way.

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