Summer Travels 2019: Minuteman Missile, Wall Drug

We headed back to South Dakota to go to Badlands National Park but we had a couple stops on the way.  We went by the Minuteman Missile site and to Wall Drug.

The road was very straight.

Thanks South Dakota!  It is nice to be back

Megan and Matthew had done the Junior Ranger booklet in the car on the way so they were sworn in as soon as we got to the Visitor Center.

From the Visitor Center, we went immediately to the Delta 01 site.  This was the command station in charge of ten Minuteman missiles.  We had booked a tour in advance.  Only six  people are allowed on each tour so we were glad we got to go.

Don't try to go in without permission.

Waiting at the gate for the ranger to let us in.

All the stations had multiple communication methods available.  This was the ultra-high frequency receiver.

The commander's quarters.

A bunk room for the crews.  The windows were painted black so they could sleep during the day.

The command center was all set up as it was when they left it in 1993.  Here they have staged a game of Battleship.  

The crews were given permission to decorate the walls so there were lots of Cold War type illustrations.

The blast door on the command bunker was eight tons but it was so well balanced that one person could close it.

The whole command bunker was suspended from the ceiling so it could rock back and forth in case of nearby missile strikes.

The command booth.  There were 50 missiles in the squadron with 5 command booths.  Each one had primary responsibility for 10 missiles but could operate all 50 if necessary.  Our tour guide used to work in one of these bunkers and knew all about everything in it.

The launch code box.  Each person had one key to open it.

Looking up the elevator shaft on our way out.

Security response vehicle.  If something triggered a perimeter alarm at one of the missiles they had to go out and check it out, day or night.  They could make it to any of their missile sites in 20 minutes.

Megan and Matthew touching a piece of the Berlin wall back at the Visitors Center.  We spent a good while there looking at Cold War displays and memorabilia. 

We also went out to a remaining missile site to see the missile in the silo.  They had a phone tour you could call to hear about different things.

The missile in the silo, disarmed of course.

Another shot of the missile.  The disarmament treaty with the Soviet Union specifically called out that one command structure and one silo could be saved for historic reasons.

U with the missile site.

After the missile site, we went to Wall Drug.  It was really crazy how big and packed it was.

Megan riding her wagon west.

Matthew chose to go on horseback. 

Me and Matthew with a stuffed bison.

Megan wanted a picture with the giant rabbit.

Matthew got one too.  You can see all the photos and memorabilia hanging on the walls.

When at Wall Drug, you have to get the free ice water.

Ice water is the perfect thing to go with the ice cream.