South Dakota: Residency, Rock Tunnels & a Sky Full of Signs

Our next big stop was South Dakota—a milestone for any full-time RVer. This time, it wasn’t just a visit. We were officially setting up residency, and little did we know, it would also become one of the most memorable chapters of our journey yet.

Becoming South Dakotans (Sort Of)

Setting up residency in South Dakota was shockingly easy compared to Illinois. Within a single morning, we had driver’s licenses, plates, and a mailing address—all handled by people who genuinely understood the RV lifestyle. No long lines, no confusing paperwork, no waiting weeks for approvals. It felt like a breath of fresh air—simple, efficient, and exactly what we needed.

Baptism by Hail

Not long after settling in, South Dakota gave us a proper initiation: our first hailstorm in the RV. Let’s just say that when ice starts pelting an RV roof, it sounds like you’re sitting inside a drum solo. We sat frozen, coffee cups in hand, praying our roof would survive. Thankfully, it did—but my nerves didn’t.

The Needles: Beauty and Panic

One of the highlights (and mild heart attacks) came when we drove the Needles Highway in Custer State Park. The views were absolutely jaw-dropping—granite spires jutting into the sky, winding roads framed by the Black Hills—but then came the infamous rock tunnels.

Imagine driving a huge F-350 through here!

Now, taking an F-350 through those tunnels? Terrifying. These things are so narrow and low that it felt like threading a needle—literally. Patrick drove while I held my breath, convinced we were about to get permanently wedged in a granite tomb. When we finally emerged on the other side, I think we both exhaled for the first time in five minutes. Beautiful? Absolutely. Relaxing? Not even close.

The Mammoth Site & Mount Rushmore

We also visited The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, where over 60 woolly mammoths have been unearthed. Walking through the dig site was like stepping into a time machine, standing face-to-face with ancient history frozen in the earth.

It was amazing to see just how big these giants really were!

We made several trips to Mount Rushmore, too. Each visit offered a different mood—sunrise, sunset, cloudy afternoons—and no matter how many times we stood there, it never stopped being awe-inspiring.

Feel like this has to be your token shot

Hill City & Small-Town Surprises

A stop in Hill City brought one of those small-town gems that make road life so fun. We learned their local high school is the only one in the country with Smokey the Bear as a mascot—a tribute to the firefighters who protect the Black Hills from devastating wildfires.

We also stumbled into a retro diner just in time for its anniversary celebration, where they roll back prices to 1970s rates. Two full meals, two desserts, and a generous tip—all under $20. I felt like we’d stepped straight into a time capsule, and I was definitely not complaining.

Crazy Horse Memorial

The Crazy Horse Memorial was another unforgettable stop. Even after seeing it before, the sheer scale of the carving—still in progress, still magnificent—takes your breath away. The dedication and artistry behind it are astounding, and it’s a reminder of what passion and purpose can build over generations.

The Minuteman Missile Site

Another fascinating stop was the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, a chilling yet fascinating glimpse into Cold War history. Standing inside the control room, imagining what it must have been like to wait for weekly “turn-the-key” orders—never knowing if they were real or a drill—was surreal. Can you imagine sitting there, waiting to potentially launch a missile that could change the course of history? The gravity of that kind of job hit hard. It’s the kind of place that leaves you thinking about how thin the line between peace and destruction really was.

A Sign from the Sky

Just when we thought our South Dakota story was complete, something extraordinary happened. On the very day our house closed, we learned that a once-in-a-century Northern Lights storm was peaking across the northern U.S. We looked at each other, packed the truck, and drove north to Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota to witness it.

Seeing the Northern Lights were on my bucket list...another item checked off!

That night ended up being Keva’s first national park—and what a first it was. She had no idea that this was just the beginning of all the incredible places she’d see in her life.

Standing under that sky, watching ribbons of green and pink shimmer across the horizon, was beyond words. It felt like a sign from above—confirmation that we were exactly where we were meant to be. The timing, the beauty, the peace of that moment—it all felt divine, like nature’s way of saying, “You made the right choice.”

South Dakota wasn’t just a stop to set up paperwork—it was a reminder of why we chose this life in the first place. From surviving hailstorms and threading the Needles to witnessing a sky lit by God’s own light, it gave us the courage and confirmation to keep following the road wherever it leads.