Des Moines to Pierre
Sioux City, the Missouri River & a Third Hail Storm
Day 35 — heading northwest from Iowa into South Dakota, with another hail storm threatening.
Day 35 was a day of rivers, reservations, and near-misses.
From Des Moines, northwest to Sioux City — where Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota meet at the Missouri River. The Missouri is the longest river in North America, stretching 2,341 miles from its source in Montana to its confluence with the Mississippi near St. Louis.
Across the Missouri and into South Dakota — through the Crow Creek Sioux Reservation, one of the nine federally recognized Sioux tribes in South Dakota.
Pierre (pronounced 'Peer' by locals), the South Dakota state capital, was the destination. Pierre is the second-smallest state capital in the United States by population.
A third hail storm threatened along the way — Ray had already survived two on this trip. This one was a near-miss. Whew.
Photos from the Day
The Day's Route
Sioux City, IA
Sioux City — where Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota meet at the Missouri River. The Sergeant Floyd Monument, marking the grave of the only member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to die during the journey, is here.
Missouri River
The Missouri River — the longest river in North America at 2,341 miles. Lewis and Clark followed it west in 1804-05.
Crow-Sioux Reservation
The Crow Creek Sioux Reservation in central South Dakota — home of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, one of the nine federally recognized Sioux tribes in the state.
Pierre, SD — State Capitol
Pierre — the South Dakota state capital, on the Missouri River. The second-smallest state capital in the US by population (after Montpelier, Vermont). The state capitol building, completed in 1910, features a copper dome.