Daytrip in Pierre

 We thought that the capitol city of South Dakota would be boring, being only some 15,000 residents, second only to Montpelier, Vermont, and only planned a lazy day at the State House. Were we ever wrong!

We were greeted with a growing thunderstorm when we got up this morning. The leading edge of the storm had an interesting configuration.

Donna said it looked like Casper, The Friendly Ghost, but I thought it resembled a turtle.

The rv park sits on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River, so we could see for miles. The storm gathered to the north about 20 miles according to the weather channel.

The leading edge of the clouds formed an awesome pattern over the river.

We decided to take a loop drive around the city and to points north. On highway 1804, just north of Pierre, we happened upon one of the landing sites of Charles Lindbergh when he was making a nationwide tour after his famous flight to Paris.

Driving north along the east bank of the Missouri River, we couldn't help but try to imagine how this area must have looked when Lewis and Clark traveled through here in 1804-1806. 

The T-storm was still gathering to the north and we approached Oahe Dam and Lake Oahe.

We returned to Ft Pierre via a riverfront road. There are a number of  very nice homes along the west bank of the Missouri north of Ft Pierre, but there are still some turkeys in the neighborhood!

After a short pit stop back at the motorhome, we went on to our second stop for the day: The South Dakota Capitol Building.

The Grand Staircase on the second floor, under the rotunda, is where the formal events start. This is where governors have their formal portraits done, and inauguration ceremonies occur. Note the terrazzo floor. More on that.

The floors throughout the building are done in terrazzo tile. Some 66 Italian masons labored on the floor and each was given a single blue tile to place wherever they wanted. Only 55 blue tiles have been discovered. We found one, but didn't have time to scour the floors in the four story building for more!

There are a whole bunch of heart-shaped tiles scattered throughout the building, used as markers to indicate were repairs to the floor have been made. We didn't find a single one of those!

The "Barrel Vault" above the Grand Staircase is constructed of Victorian leaded stained glass while the cross members are painted solid oak.

From a bronze plaque placed in the floor on the second floor at the foot of the Grand Staircase, the rotunda  top is 96 meet up. Another 65 feet above that gets you to the ball atop the exterior dome.

Symbolism is everywhere in the Capitol. Below the stained glass of the dome are 16 alcoves in which the art represents the "Tree of Life". Beneath the alcoves are horizontal rectangular openings which feature a pasque, the state flower of South Dakota, surrounded by acanthus leaves which symbolize wisdom. The bottom ring is adorned with entwined bands of ribbon representing the "Ring of Eternity."

In each corner of the rotunda are the Seals of Sovereignty for the four governments that have claimed ownership of South Dakota: France, Spain, South Dakota, and the United States of America.

Below each seal, niches hold flags appropriate to that era, and a bronze figure below represents either "Wisdom," "Vision," "Courage," or "Integrity.'

From the fourth floor, a unique look at the upper rotunda and vault.

Also from the fourth floor, we were able to check out the House of Representatives.

And the Senate chamber.

The west side of the Capitol Building is the formal entrance, but is closed to the public, with entry granted through a security checkpoint on the north side.

The Capitol Complex has it's own lake, Capitol Lake. On the shore is a memorial to those who served and fallen in our nations conflicts.

In this larger than life-size sculpture, all branches of service are represented, saluting the flags of the United States and South Dakota.

 

Combat wounded are honored at this marble monument.

Vietnam War veterans are honored.

And a Screaming Eagle.

One of many ducks that inhabit Capitol Lake seemed to take a liking to the flower bed at the edge of the parking lot!

The Governors Mansion is on the south side of the lake, in a gated compound. While serving as the Governors residence, it is also used for formal receptions and events.

We should have booked more time in Pierre! History plays a huge part in this area, with Lewis and Clark and their meeting at the junction of the Missouri River and the Bad River in downtown Pierre with Black Buffalo, who feasted the visitors with roast dog, potatoes, and pemmican, to the Oahe dam and powerhouse that creates 826 thousand kilowatts at full capacity, there is much to see and understand. 

Unfortunately, we must move on, so perhaps a return trip is in the schedule....