Well, Debs Webster and his family are heading west.
In today’s world of Interstate Highways that sounds like a simple thing right? But not so much in 1952. Interstate 90, which would be the logical route they would have taken, didn’t exist until 1956.
The Webster family left Illinois, traveled a great distance, and entered the area known as The Badlands of South Dakota.
Video by the National Park Service
Maybe it was the name “Badlands,” or the eerie landscape, or the thought of the wildlife in the area such as rattlesnakes, bobcats and coyotes; whatever the reason, the family was so scared of this place that they slept in their car!
No camping out of doors for them! And this wasn't tent camping either. Nope! This was sleeping in a sleeping bag under the stars camping.
I don’t think I blame them for sleeping in their car either. What about you? Would you camp outside, under the stars, along a lonely road in The Badlands of South Dakota in 1952?
Check out the video above and the photos below before you decide.
 |
| Badlands National Park Wikimedia Commons Photo by Wereldburger758 Click to Enlarge |
 |
| Badlands National Park Wikimedia Commons Photo by Scott Catron Click to Enlarge |
 |
| Badlands National Park Wikimedia Commons Photo by Scott Catron Click to Enlarge |
 |
| Badlands National Park Wikimedia Commons NPS Public Domain Photo Click to Enlarge |
 |
| Badlands National Park Wikimedia Commons Photo by Patrick Bolduan Click to Enlarge |
The next stop on the Webster’s trip is a visit to Mount Rushmore.
Thanks for reading!
Jana
Copyright © Jana Last 2012
I'm sure sleeping in the car was no picnic either. They weren't in a Winnebago! No Motel 6 in the Badlands??? I realize the Websters were on an adventure like no other, but I still would have pushed for driving across Brazil to the west coast and traveling that way to California. A brave family indeed. And they have given us wonderful pictures and stories, so I'm ready for the drive to Mt. Rushmore.
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy! Ya, six people trying to sleep in a car doesn't sound very fun at all! I mean, they've been sitting in a crowded car for how many hours already?
DeleteAnd instead of being able to stretch out a little to rest for the night they get to return to the crowded conditions in their car to try to sleep.
I wonder how many of the group woke up with kinks in their necks and sore backs.
I have some ancestors who moved from South Carolina to California sometime between 1868 and 1900. I'm not sure if it was all at once but regardless, that was a pretty big move to make back in those days.
ReplyDeleteSleeping in a car sounds like torture to me!
Hi Debi,
DeleteOh wow! That must have been quite the trip back then all the way from South Carolina to California! It must have taken them a very long time.
And I agree with you. Sleeping in a car does sound like torture.
Thanks so much for reading and for your comments! I really appreciate it!
Trying to imagine how they were able to get any sleep. It doesn't seem like there were many options other than sitting up and maybe leaning your head on the shoulder next to you. Not a fun part of the trip, I'm guessing.
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy! Ya, I can't imagine they had a very comfortable or restful night's sleep.
DeleteThanks so much for stopping by!
Great photos but definitely have a spooky atmosphere. Not sure I'd like camping there.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you Pauleen. I think it would be awfully spooky at night seeing the eerie rock formations in the horizon. I'm sure I wouldn't like to camp on the side of the road there.
Delete