J Swanstrom (Never enough time...)
Evening At 'The Falls'
The namesake of Sioux Falls, SD is located in Falls Park along the Big Sioux River (Dakotans are pretty creative with their names:). The river drops about 50ish feet over the course of several hundred yards with a largest drop of about 25 feet (the drop in the background here).
I think my favorite aspect of 'The Falls' is the pink/red Sioux Quartzite, an extremely hard stone, that the water tumbles over. Since the falls aren't really that big, the pink rock quickly draws your attention as you scramble over the outcroppings.
-> Quartzite was quarried in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s into building stone and cobblestone. With the ability to transport stone out by train, quarrying became one of region’s largest industries. Almost every local community had structures made of quartzite. (See Here for examples of the beautiful buildings.) Because of the stones hardness and durability , these building are still standing today as historic schools, courthouses, churches, fire stations and hotels – many have been converted to museums.
Because of its durability and availability, it has been used in the process of 'chip-sealing' roads all around the area. While growing up in Southeast SD, I thought pink roads were the norm. Guess not. Now I miss them. And that concludes today's ramble.
Well, I hope you like it.
Evening At 'The Falls'
The namesake of Sioux Falls, SD is located in Falls Park along the Big Sioux River (Dakotans are pretty creative with their names:). The river drops about 50ish feet over the course of several hundred yards with a largest drop of about 25 feet (the drop in the background here).
I think my favorite aspect of 'The Falls' is the pink/red Sioux Quartzite, an extremely hard stone, that the water tumbles over. Since the falls aren't really that big, the pink rock quickly draws your attention as you scramble over the outcroppings.
-> Quartzite was quarried in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s into building stone and cobblestone. With the ability to transport stone out by train, quarrying became one of region’s largest industries. Almost every local community had structures made of quartzite. (See Here for examples of the beautiful buildings.) Because of the stones hardness and durability , these building are still standing today as historic schools, courthouses, churches, fire stations and hotels – many have been converted to museums.
Because of its durability and availability, it has been used in the process of 'chip-sealing' roads all around the area. While growing up in Southeast SD, I thought pink roads were the norm. Guess not. Now I miss them. And that concludes today's ramble.
Well, I hope you like it.