Bad Lands and Giant Heads - A Trip Through the Dakotas

 The heartland of America is vast and sparsely populated, perhaps a good place to visit in these days.

North and South Dakota are nearly dead center in the middle of North America and might well be considered the heart of The Heartland, at least geographically and perhaps culturally and politically. Though they are not as popular as the tourist destinations of the coasts or the mountain regions, they have their own stark beauty and western frontier attraction. Indeed, anyone who wants to truly understand America should put these two states on their list of places to visit.

Both states are rather sparsely populated yet still possess many fascinating historical, geological and cultural features. Key among these are the Badlands of North and South Dakota, The Black Hills of South Dakota, including the famous historical western settlement of Deadwood, Mount Rushmore National Monument, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. There are also many thriving smaller cities such as Fargo, Sioux Falls and Grand Forks, which have benefitted from the oil boom of the recent past, yet maintain the tradition of rural and small city friendliness.

This account focusses on a ten-day road trip in June 2010, beginning in Winnipeg Manitoba (just north of the Dakotas), travelling through the western part of North Dakota, then through South Dakota and back up to Canada via the eastern side of North Dakota. The dramatic natural beauty of the Badlands of North and South Dakota are contrasted with the man-made wonder of Mount Rushmore and the historical landmarks of the Black Hills and the Lake Sacagawea region.

The book is about 10,000 words, about an hour at typical reading speeds. The price is a mere 99 cents U.S. (equivalent in other currencies). It is also on Kindle Unlimited and is periodically featured on a free promotion.

U.S.: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0868CK2XQ

U.K.: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0868CK2XQ

Germany: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0868CK2XQ

Japan: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0868CK2XQ

Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0868CK2XQ

Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0868CK2XQ

India: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0868CK2XQ

France: https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0868CK2XQ

Italy: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0868CK2XQ

Spain: https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0868CK2XQ

Netherlands: https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B0868CK2XQ

Mexico: https://www.amazon.com.mx/dp/B0868CK2XQ

Brazil: https://www.amazon.com.br/dp/B0868CK2XQ