Mitchell SD to Austin Minnesota

Mitchell SD to Austin Minnesota
What a change in terrain and in agriculture just two days drive make.
I left the Badlands of SD and out there it is just grasslands and the mountains of the Badlands that are really sedimentary rock formations. Very beautiful but very desolate and not much farming, really ranching with few ranches to be seen because the livestock require so much land to graze on. There are few if any trees in this area because as you know the prairies centuries ago did not have trees because it was felt that fires in this area did not stop until they reached the mountainous areas to the west.
Next I came to the area around Sioux Falls, SD. Now we are getting into the hills and in this area the hills are not real steep but steeper than Minnesota. As I mentioned earlier I stopped to view the Falls Park and the stockyards. Now the farms are getting more into the farming of corn.
After you reach Minnesota the trend is clear with low rolling hills and vast farms of corn and I believe soybeans. There are scattered clumps of trees and this is where you know you will find the farmhouses. Because there was no a/c when these early farms were started the farmers knew that if they planted trees around there homes it would add natural air conditioning in the hot summer months, a wind break form the dust and in winter provide a break from the cold arctic winds and snow coming out of Canada. Not a bad idea even today.
As I went further east you could see the vibrant green of the corn stalks which are now high as a man stands and with their golden yellow tassels make a patchwork over the landscape. Interspersed with this is the emerald green of the soybean fields and then to top it off are the green deciduous trees surrounding the farmhouses. Makes for a great place to drive and relax.
Tonight I feel at peace with the world and where I am at. I stopped here and had a strong hankerin for Chinese food. Why that was so I do not know but after asking around found a Chinese buffet. Really good and now the tummy is full and Scruffy needs to take a walk.
1 A little laugh for you all
2 Corn Fields
3 More corn fields
4 Campsite in Austin