Escape to South Dakota: Your Perfect I-90 Getaway Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into "Escape to South Dakota: Your Perfect I-90 Getaway Awaits!" – and trust me, I need this getaway as much as you probably do. Let's get real, shall we? Forget pristine brochures, I'm here to tell you the truth about this place, warts and all. (And honestly, sometimes the warts are what make a vacation interesting, right?)
*Right off the bat, a confession: I'm not a robot. I'm human, I have opinions, and sometimes I get distracted by a particularly good coffee.
Getting There and Getting In: The "Accessibility" Jumble
Okay, so "Accessibility." Deep breath. I'm not personally in a wheelchair, but I did check the box here! And, honestly? That's a HUGE factor for me now. I'm not getting any younger. So, the website claims good accessibility. Elevator? Check. Facilities for disabled guests? Check. But, and this is a HUGE but, I'd want to verify that by calling and chatting with them. Because, let's be honest, those "accessible" rooms sometimes just aren't. I’d definitely check for things like door width. (Been there, tried to get a wheelchair through a door smaller than a Hobbit hole… not fun.) Also, Airport transfer. Very nice. If they could do that, I'd be VERY grateful.
Check-in/out [express] and Contactless check-in/out are available. Sweet!
The Internet: My Digital Tether (and the Free Wi-Fi!)
YES! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And in public areas! Thank you, travel gods! Because, let's be honest, I need it. Work. Family. Binge-watching whatever garbage is trending on Netflix. Okay, maybe a little too much Netflix. But seriously, the promise of strong internet is a huge selling point. I can maybe even do some work from my room (shudders) and act like I'm being productive instead of staring out the window. Internet [LAN] is there as well - good for the ones who hate the wireless.
Rambling about Internet. I love the internet. I hate the internet. Is it good? Is it bad? It is everywhere. It is everything. (Sorry, got a little off-track there.)
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Finding Your Zen (or Just Avoiding the Kids)
Okay, this is where things get interesting. Because… pools with views are magical. And they supposedly have one. Sauna? Sign me up! I'd like to just melt into a sauna, and forget about my life for a while. Steamroom? Yes, please! A Body scrub and wrap? Okay, I might actually start to relax. Fitness center/ Gym? Hmm. I say this as someone who loves to say they'll go to the gym. We all know I won't. But, at least the option's there, right? And a good pool to soak my weary bones!
But let's be REALLY honest… A masseuse? Oh my god, I need this. I deserve this. After the drive, the kids, the life? A massage is practically a religious experience. My lower back is already screaming, so this is a BIG, VERY BIG, plus.
Also, they boast about, a shrine. Okay, weird, but cool! Depends on the actual shrine!
Cleanliness and Safety: Pandemic Worries… and Promises
Okay, let's talk about the elephant (or perhaps the virus) in the room: COVID. This place better be clean. The bullet points are promising: Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection, hand sanitizer, professional-grade sanitizing services, etc. But… do they really do it? That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? I'd be scrutinizing everything personally. I'd be looking at the hand sanitizer stations and if they had individually wrapped food options. I’d want to see the staff in masks. I'd go full-on germaphobe until I saw proof. Because, no trip is worth getting sick. And rooms sanitized between stays? Essential.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Adventure (and Avoiding Hangry Fits)
Okay, listen up, because food is important. Real important. They have a restaurant. And a coffee shop. Excellent! I cannot function without coffee, people! A bar? Necessario. And a poolside bar? Genius. I would be seriously happy with just that. Because, seriously, having a cocktail while you're relaxing by the pool is the very definition of a vacation. They also have breakfast [buffet].
Breakfast Breakfast really does set the tone for the day. I appreciate a buffet. I like a large buffet. A wide buffet.
Other Food Musings Happy hour? Yes, please! Soup, salad, desserts? Okay, I'm getting excited. Because, hey, if you're going to escape, you might as well eat well, too, right?
Services and Conveniences: Making Life Easier (and My Stomach Not Quite So Tight)
Elevator? Good. Laundry service? Fantastic. Luggage storage? Essential! The less I have to haul around, the better. Concierge? Definitely helpful for navigating the "things to do" (like finding the best local coffee shop). But a convenience store? Smart! Because snacks are important. And maybe a toothbrush because, well, I've forgotten one before…
For the Kids (I'm assuming you have kids too, right?)
Babysitting service. Yes! Family/child friendly. Okay. Kids facilities? Praying they have a game room or something! Because if the kids are happy, I'm happy. That's the rule.
The Actual Rooms: My Cozy Little Escape Booth
Okay, here's where my stream of consciousness really kicks in. Air conditioning? Please! Blackout curtains? I beg of you! Extra long bed? Because I'm tall, and sleep is sacred. A mini-bar? (Even if it's overpriced, I still love them) Coffee/tea maker? Lifesaver! Free bottled water! (Sometimes this is what you really need). A desk? Good to have, even if it ends up being used for overflowing snacks. Bathroom phone? WHAT? Is this 1987? But, a bathtub? Okay, I'm back on board!
The Offer: My Super-Cynical-But-Actually-Optimistic-And-Kind-Of-Excited Sales Pitch
Okay, here’s the deal: Escape to South Dakota isn't just a hotel; it's your potential sanity-saver. It's a chance to ditch the daily grind and maybe find some peace. Look, I'm not going to lie. I don't know if this place is a perfect paradise. But it promises the essentials: a comfy bed, good food, wifi you can, hopefully, rely on, and maybe… just maybe… a little bit of relaxation.
So here's what I'm thinking:
Book your stay at "Escape to South Dakota" now, and get:
- Guaranteed access to that glorious pool with a view (which, let's be real, is the real reason we're all considering this.)
- BONUS: Mention "Travel Cynic" when you book and get a free voucher (for the massage)! (Disclaimer: may not actually be free, actual prices may vary. I have no power over hotels, it is up to you)
- 3-night stays booked by [date] get a free happy hour at the bar.
But wait, there's more! (Okay, I'm definitely channeling a late-night infomercial here…)
- We're offering flexible cancellation policies (because life happens, and sometimes your escape needs to be rescheduled)
- Guaranteed clean rooms (because, again, health is wealth!)
- The chance to, just for a little while, escape your daily life. Even if it's just for a nap in a comfy bed.
Don't wait! Your perfect I-90 getaway – and a little bit of much-needed peace – awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Cuckoos Nest Guest House, Louis Trichardt
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your average, sterile itinerary. This is… well, my attempt at surviving a pit stop at the Quality Inn in Mitchell, South Dakota. God, help me.
Pre-Trip Anxiety (aka, The "Why Did I Book This" Phase):
Days Before: Scrolling through TripAdvisor reviews. Oh dear God, the reviews. "Reasonably priced," "clean," "adequate breakfast." Ade-freaking-quate. My soul craves more than adequate! I'm a drama queen stuck in a budget hotel purgatory. Already feeling the existential dread. Also, I ate a questionable burrito at 2 am, what was wrong with me?
Day Before: Packing. Trying to avoid the "I forgot everything" scenario. Realizing my "comfort clothes" are basically sweatpants from my high school track days. Embrace the comfort, I guess. Also, I forgot my toothbrush. Great.
The Drive (aka, The "Are We There Yet?" Saga):
Driving Time: 6-8 hours, depending on how many times I have to pee. (Spoiler alert: It's a lot.)
Morning (6:00 AM): Wake up with a crick in my neck and a profound sense of regret. Why did I choose this life. Chug coffee, question my life choices. Pretend I'm "excited" to be going on a road trip. My inner voice is screaming "NOOOOO."
Mid-Morning (10:00 AM): First bathroom break. Gas station coffee tastes like gasoline. Wonder if I can smuggle a Starbucks in my luggage. Also, start singing along to the radio. Loudly. With questionable talent.
Lunch (12:00 PM): Forced fast food. Realize I’ve forgotten my reusable water bottle AGAIN. The irony of saving money on a hotel while throwing money at a gas station!
Afternoon (3:00 PM): Stuck in traffic. Briefly consider abandoning the trip and moving to a yurt in Montana. My blood pressure would thank me for it.
Late Afternoon (5:00 PM): Arrive in Mitchell. See the Quality Inn sign and let out a sigh. Not of relief, but of… resigned acceptance. Is that a slight smell of chlorine?
Day 1: Settling In (aka, The "Is This Actually Clean?" Inquiry)
- Check-in (6:00 PM): The front desk clerk is wearing a name tag with… is that glitter? Bless her heart. She's unfailingly cheerful, which is either admirable or terrifying, I can't decide. Get my key card with a smile.
- Room Inspection (6:15 PM): Panic. Open the door. Immediately sniff the air. Does it smell like bleach and despair? Maybe. The décor: 80s vintage. The carpet: Definitely seen better days. The bedspread: Praying my immune system is up for the challenge. At least the TV works, I guess.
- Unpacking & The Great Closet Mystery (6:30 PM): Realizing I'm a messy packer. Clothes everywhere. Closet doors don't shut properly. Okay, deep breaths. I am a capable human being.
- Dinner (7:30 PM): Finding a restaurant. Should probably search for a local eatery. Not finding anything is not my style.
- Evening Entertainment (8:30 PM): Watching TV, surfing channels. Realizing I could have stayed home and watched the same shows. The existential dread is back, but this time with a side of stale air conditioning.
- Bedtime Ritual (10:00 PM): A desperate attempt to get a decent night's sleep. Earplugs. Eye mask. Praying the neighbors don't have a midnight polka party.
- Late Night (11:00 PM): Snack on questionable vending machine chips. Contemplate the meaning of life. Realize this hotel is a microcosm of the human condition. We're all just trying to survive until breakfast.
Day 2: Mitchell's Wonders (aka, "Let's Do Something… Or Not.")
- Breakfast (7:00 AM): The "adequate" breakfast. Cereal that's seen better days. A waffle maker that requires a degree in engineering to operate. Coffee that could strip paint. Forced small talk with the other weary travelers.
- Morning Adventure (9:00 AM): The Corn Palace. Okay, I have to see this. This is something I will probably feel and remember. It will probably be both better and worse than I expected.
- Corn Palace Revelation (10:00 AM): The world's only corn-decorated palace. The architecture is so strange, it could be the set of a b movie. It's… corn. Beautiful, intricate corn. You've got this. It somehow blends historical significance and kitsch? Baffling. My inner child is ecstatic. I buy a postcard.
- Mid-Day Meander (12:00 PM): Lunch at a diner. Over-sized portions. The waitress calls everyone "honey." Feel like I've stumbled into a time warp. This is a comforting, and mildly terrifying, experience.
- Afternoon Options (1:00 PM): More options, I feel like I'm being sucked into the black hole of the hotel. So, I go back to the room and take a nap. The siren song of the bed is too strong. I consider canceling the trip.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner. Same as last night.
- Nightcap (8:00 PM): A quick walk around town. Mitchell is… quiet. A comforting type of quiet. A bit too quiet, perhaps? But, the stars are beautiful. I am alive.
Day 3: The Escape (aka, "Freedom! Sort Of.")
- Breakfast (7:00 AM): Managed to get a slightly edible waffle. Minor victory.
- Check-out (8:00 AM): Smooth departure. The front desk clerk remembers me. She smiles. She is a force of nature.
- The Drive Home (9:00 AM): Begin the journey.
- Reflecting (12:00 PM): The road trip was rough, but there was a great payoff, a memory, or a moment.
- Arrival (6:00 PM): Back home. The scent of my own apartment. I immediately toss everything in the wash. Take a long, hot shower. Breathe a sigh of relief.
Final Thoughts:
Would I recommend the Quality Inn Mitchell I-90? Maybe. It depends on your tolerance for the ordinary, your love for slightly musty air, and your willingness to embrace the absurdity of hotel life. Did it challenge me? Yes. Did I have a good story? Yes. Did I eat a good burrito? No. Ultimately, the trip was pretty awful, but it was a good awful. Now, I'm off to unpack and never leave the house again. Until the next adventure… Whatever that may be.
Escape to Comfort: Your Manchester, TN Getaway Awaits!
Escape to South Dakota: Your Perfect I-90 Getaway Awaits! (Or Does It?) - The Unfiltered FAQ
Okay, Okay, So... Why South Dakota? Seriously? Isn't it Just... Plains?
Alright, picture this. You're *tired*. Like, bone-deep, email-drained, gotta-get-away-from-it-all tired. And you've seen the Grand Canyon, the beaches of Bali, the... well, you know. You're looking for *something different*. And, yeah, South Dakota *is* plains. But it's a *vast* plain. And those plains? They're hiding secrets. Secrets like... well, read on. I went. I survived. And I'm here to tell you: South Dakota *can* surprise you.
What's the Deal with Mount Rushmore? Instagrammable, Right?
Mount Rushmore... Sigh. Okay. Yes, it's iconic. Yes, you *must* go. But prepare yourself. Firstly, the sheer volume of people. It's a crush, a surge, a jostle for that perfect selfie. I spent a good twenty minutes just trying to find a spot where a giant's elbow wasn't in my shot. Secondly, the actual mountain… it’s... smaller than you think. Not diminutive, but, you know, photos lie. My expectations were, well, maybe a little unrealistic. But the view! The drama! It's undeniably impressive. And the history? Fascinating. Just... go early. Or late. Avoid the midday sun and the hordes. Trust me on this one. I learned that the hard way. (Also, the ice cream at the gift shop is *ridiculously* good. Don't judge me.)
Custer State Park? Heard of it. Is it Touristy?
Tourist central! Yes. But... Custer State Park is *worth* the tourist trap-ness. I'm talking wildlife galore. I'm talking bison jams (yup, traffic caused by, and *involving*, bison. It's a thing!) . The Needles Highway... pure, unadulterated driving bliss. It's a scenic drive, you should see it even if you hate driving. I got stuck behind a lumbering herd of buffalo, which was equal parts terrifying and awesome. They practically *own* the road. And the air! Crisp, clean, pine-scented... It's a sensory overload in the best way possible. Just remember to bring your patience (and maybe a good zoom lens for your camera).
Tell Me About Driving I-90. Is it Soul-Crushingly Boring?
Listen, here's the brutal truth: I-90 *is* highway. It *is* long. It *does* have stretches where you see nothing but cornfields, or wheat fields, or... more fields. And yes, there are times when you question your life choices. But! It's also an integral part of the experience. Think of it as a time for reflection. Or, you know, podcasts. Or audiobooks. Or blasting your favorite music and singing at the top of your lungs. The sunsets, though... Oh, the sunsets. They're absolutely epic on the I-90. I nearly crashed my car (figuratively, of course... though that one close call definitely got my heart rate up) trying to take a photo of one. Worth it. Just... pull over. For the love of all that is holy, pull over and take a photo *safely*.
What About the Badlands? Are They... Bad?
The Badlands... now, *this* is something special. The name? Well, they're aptly named. Bleak. Beautiful. Alien. Eerie. They're a geologist's dream. A photographer's wet dream. My personal? A place I could get COMPLETELY lost in (in a good way, though you probably shouldn't, because losing your car in the Badlands at night is NOT a good time). The layers, the colors, the sheer scale... it’s awe-inspiring. I spent hours just wandering around, feeling tiny and humbled. A word to the wise: Wear good shoes. Bring water. And if you see a prairie dog? Don't try to pet it. (That's just common sense, folks.)
Food? Any Good Eats? Please tell me there's more than just... steak.
Okay, okay, I hear you. Steak is *definitely* a part of the South Dakota diet. And it's good steak. But there's more! I discovered some surprisingly amazing small-town diners. The breakfast burritos? Magnificent. The pie? Heavenly. You'll find yourself craving fry bread, if you're lucky enough to be where it's served. Local breweries are popping up, too. My advice? Embrace the small-town charm. Ask the locals where to eat. Don't be afraid to try something you've never had before. And... yes. Prepare for steak. But pace yourself. It's a marathon, not a sprint, when it comes to South Dakota cuisine.
Should I go in Summer? Would Winter Be a Mistake? When's the BEST time?
Summer is the *obvious* choice. Warm weather, everything open. But... everyone else has the same idea. The crowds can be intense. Winter? Brutal. Like, REALLY brutal. Picture a blizzard. And you're stuck in it. Not ideal. The *sweet spot* is probably late spring or early fall. Fewer people, still decent weather. And those fall colors? Stunning. But be prepared for anything. South Dakota weather can be fickle. I experienced all four seasons in one day once. So, pack accordingly. And maybe bring a snow shovel, just in case. (Kidding! Mostly.)
Okay, One Last Question: Would You Go Back?
Honestly? Absolutely. Despite the crowds, despite the long drives, despite the occasional existential dread I experienced staring out at endless plains, South Dakota got under my skin. It's a place of unexpected beauty, of wide-open spaces, and of a certain... grit. It's not a polished, perfect vacation. It's real. It's raw. And sometimes, that's exactly what you need. Plus, I still haven't perfected my Mount Rushmore selfie. So yes. I'll beStay Collective
