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Hi yall. I've been looking over the threads and everyone seems so nice.
My family and I are planning a trip to MR and the surrounding area sometimes in May. Is that a good time, weather wise I mean, and will most of the tourist shops be open?
Also, what is the view on smokers there? Is it banned in public places such as MR and the reasturants in Rapid City?
A silly question I know, but do the local grocery stores sell pimento cheese spreed. I was told its hard to find up north. Gotta have my pimento cheese sandwiches.
The link above will give you a lot of info including a bit about weather. Even though it has snowed in the Hills in May, you should be just fine. Just know that the days are nice, but the nights can still be a bit chilly.
This should give you an idea of what to expect for May weather. I think you made an excellent choice for a vacation. That is a one of the most beautiful areas of the country and Rushmore is awesome.
And about smoking~yea, it's sort of frowned on here just like it is all over. But I smoke and no one has stoned me to death YET. I don't know if you mean that you are a smoker or want to avoid it, but either way this will help you. If you eat in establishments that don't have a liquor license, they don't have a smoking section. I believe that establishments that have video lottery also allow smoking. If you go to Deadwood I think you can smoke in any of the casinos. The motels have smoking and non-smoking rooms and very few, if any, ban smoking totally.
And the cheese spread~are you talking about the little cheez whiz jars with the soft cheese? If so, I think you can get some at most of the grocery stores.
If you have any other questions, we'll all get together and try to answer them for you. What state do you live in?
Hi yall. I've been looking over the threads and everyone seems so nice.
My family and I are planning a trip to MR and the surrounding area sometimes in May. Is that a good time, weather wise I mean, and will most of the tourist shops be open?
Also, what is the view on smokers there? Is it banned in public places such as MR and the reasturants in Rapid City?
A silly question I know, but do the local grocery stores sell pimento cheese spreed. I was told its hard to find up north. Gotta have my pimento cheese sandwiches.
TY
Hello Silver-Charm!
I live in Rapid City, where you will probably stay during your visit, and May is a wonderful time to come to the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore! There are not too many tourists here in May so hotel rates are still pretty low and the weather is nice and cool in the mountains. Usually 50s-70s. Most tourist attractions are open in May too.
Rapid City has grocery stores that sell pimento spread. We have two Safeways, an Albertson's, two Family Thrift Centers,Wal*Mart Supercenter, and some specialty food shops downtown. Rapid City has a population around 80,000 so everything you need will be here and the drive to Mount Rushmore only takes about 20 minutes.
Smoking, of course, is looked down on in South Dakota. But as Jammie said, it is allowed in restaurants with bars and separate smoking sections. Outback Steakhouse, Friday's, Chili's, Ruby Tuesday's, Applebee's, Minerva's, and a few others downtown still allow smoking in separate sections. My mother smokes and she never really has a problem at restaurants.
Have a great trip, and we can't wait to hear from you again in May!
Where are you travelling from?
I thank the three of you for your friendly reply. Going over the threads, I can see that you have given folks some good advice. I'm glad I found this site.
I am a smoker (trying to quite), I asked because I did'nt want to upset anyone if I happend to light one up where it wasnt allowed. I live in Owensboro Kentucky and smoking is banned anywhere minors may be, resturants....malls....ect. But thats good I guess.
May sounds like a great time to visit. Are the trees in full bloom? I read somewhere that sometimes you can get snow in the spring. YIKES!
About the cheese spreed, well my sister has her mind set on moving to Rapid City if she likes the town during our visit. I may just join her LOL. If its not to much of a culture shock that is. There are curtain foods I cant live without.
Do any of the resturants sell mutton up there?
OMG, you have your state listed below your name. Did you just put it up there or did I actually miss that?
About mutton~do any of you carnivores know if that's mainly what they use for chislic or do they use venison?
We've never been to Kentucky and I imagine that So. Dak. is quite a bit different. But I really don't think that you or your sister will be disappointed. We have a lot of positives here. If you don't already have everything planned out, we can suggest places that you can see waterfalls and clear mountain streams and beautiful areas. Something I've noticed that every time I wander out into the world, I come home and realize how clean and neat our state is.
I also think you'll find people here are quite welcoming.
Hi Jammie Yes, my location was up there, but hey, I didnt mind typing it agian for you.
I've never heard of chislic. Found this on Wikipedia Chislic is preparation of cubed red meat, fried or grilled, relatively unknown outside of South Dakota. The term, while non-specific to any particular meat or seasoning, generally describes wild game, mutton, or beef, deep-fried and served hot on a skewer or toothpick
As for things to do while there, I read in one of the post about Cosmo.
I hope I got the name of it right. I would like to check that out. Also looking forward to visiting Deadwood. Been playing Texas Holdem online for a few months now, it would be fun to play with someone face to face for a change. Not that I'm any good, I just enjoy playing.
What other towns in that area has casinos?
We do get most of our snow in March, but it has snowed here as late as MAY! Usually it is just up by the ski resorts or Deadwood. The Back Hills may remind you of Kentucky. Low, rolling, pine-covered mountains. However, we have a VERY arid climate as opposed to that of Kentucky. Hot days here feel much more comfortable than a hot day in Kentucky. Trees begin to bloom in April here too.
Cosmos is my favorite tourist trap EVER! Really try to check it out when you are here! Deadwood is where you would want to go to gamble, but every Black Hills town has Casinos and Video Lottery.
Now as for mutton... I've never had it, but I'm sure a butcher would give some to you. Better than going in the trash eh?
Rapid City has some exotic restaurants, but mutton might take some searching!!!
hey silver-charm...i did go grocery shopping today at Sunshine Foods, a local grocery chain here in Sioux Falls...and i noticed they had the Kraft pimento spread... im sure Rapid City has it too.
Not sure on the mutton, but homemade chislic is the best!
I have been through the Black Hills several times during late may and summertime. The air is nice and comfortable and the area is very nice during the time of the year. I can remember going though there in May of 2001 with my siblings and father on our way to Boise, ID. The sunset was beautiful and it was a treat to go through the area. On the June, 2003 trip to Boise, ID, I can remember seeing lightning over the Badlands and it was a neat sight to see (something that would be postcard worthy). I encourage you to come through and visit the great state of South Dakota: variety, friendly people, manageable traffic, and many sights to see (especially along I-90). Sioux Falls would be a good stopping point, coming from Kentucky, due it having Falls Park (a fixed up park with an observation tower), several museums, and a number of other things to do if one stays a night there.
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A silly question I know, but do the local grocery stores sell pimento cheese spreed. I was told its hard to find up north. 
Gotta have my pimento cheese sandwiches.
