Dances with Pancakes

In Dances with Wolves, the scene where Kevin Costner’s character receives his orders was filmed in South Dakota and the set has been moved right outside Rapid City. Today, it serves all-you-can-eat pancakes for $0.99, Kevin Costner not included. Being one to never pass up a bargain and knowing that our kids eat a lot of pancakes, Jess made sure we capitalized on this deal. She earned her Sioux name today, Dances with Pancakes.

The pancakes were great. I’m glad I paid for that. I could have played two songs at the creepy monkey at Wall Drug or stuffed my face with as many pancakes as possible. I chose wisely.

Next door is the room from the movie. It’s still exactly as it was in the movie. Except it has a cardboard cutout of Kevin Costner. And a TV looping that scene from the movie. And people in shorts walking through with cameras. And a cheesy gift shop with nothing related to the movie one room over. Other than that, it’s just like you’re standing in the movie.

We’ve had our fill of tourist traps, and decided to skip one of the remaining items on our list: Cosmos Mystery Area. I think it either has something to do with Cosmo Kramer’s apartment or is a weird cabin built on a hill full of hokey optical illusions - either way, quite likely a complete waste of time.

Instead we passed through Deadwood. If you’re old and like gambling, this place is for you. We’re not and we don’t, so we let our kids play in the park for a few hours, then found a brewery and drank beer. Like in Germany, our kids played with their fine European Stecki toys and all was right with the world.