Buffalo Ridge, South Dakota

My family and I live nearby, close enough that we've passed the signs countless times. One Sunday afternoon, we finally pulled off to see what we’d been missing. In the spirit of Crazy Horse and Wall Drug, Mount Rushmore and the romance of heading west, resides Buffalo Ridge—just outside of Sioux Falls, on Interstate 90, where travelers eagerly pause on their way to see the Black Hills. It's a chance to see an old town, buffalo in the wild, souvenirs and make an experience. It transports you back in time. It hasn't been updated in quite some time, but it doesn't matter. It's nostalgic. Poetic. Meditative. You can hear the hum of the semis as they pass by, watch the animatronics as they slowly come to life, and find yourself captivated by the dreams of the early pioneers. The site itself harkens to a bygone era of entrepreneurs. You can fill up on gas. Wave to the attendant to turn the pump on. Buy a package of buffalo jerky for the road. Or, you can park your car in the lot overnight if you need a rest. More than anything, perhaps, you can enjoy in a way one rarely does these days — by slowing down, going on a stroll, enjoying conversations, and taking a few pictures.