The jackalope is part-antelope,
part-jackrabbit - an antlered species of rabbit, unfortunately rumored
to be extinct, though occasional sightings of this rare creature continue
to occur, suggesting that pockets of jackalope populations continue
to persist in its native home, the American West. The Jackalope is an
aggressive species, willing to use its antlers to fight. Thus, it is
also sometimes called the "warrior rabbit."
Jackalopes possess an uncanny ability to mimic human sounds. In the
old West, when cowboys would gather by their campfires to sing at night,
Jackalopes would frequently be heard singing back, mimicking the voices
of the cowboys. Jackalopes become especially vocal before thunderstorms,
perhaps because they mate only when lightning flashes (or so it is theorized).
When chased, the jackalope will use its vocal abilities to elude capture.
For instance, when chased by people it will call out phrases such as,
"There he goes, over there," in order to throw pursuers off
its track.
The best way to catch a jackalope is to lure it with whiskey, as they
have a particular fondness for this drink. Once intoxicated, the animal
becomes slower and easier to hunt. |
Below: Wall Drug
Travel Signs: There are supposed to be 87 signs advertising Wall Drug
along the highway. Karen Duquette photographed a few of them. (The two
RV Gypsies did stop at Wall Drug and those photos can be reached from
the South Dakota menu link below.)
Wall Drug earns much of its fame from its self-promotion. Billboards
advertising the establishment can be seen for hundreds of miles throughout
South Dakota and the neighboring states. By 1981 Wall Drug was claiming
it was giving away 20,000 cups of water per day during the peak tourist
season, lasting from Memorial Day until Labor Day, and during the hottest
days of the summer.
Most of Wall Drug's advertisement billboards can be found on an approximately
650-mile-long stretch of Interstate 90 from Minnesota to Billings, Montana.
Wall Drug spends an estimated $400,000 on billboards every year. |
S.D. Welcome Center/Rest Area/travel (this page)
AFTER you have seen all of the above sites in South Dakota,