Strolling the beach in Puerto Morelos, a two-mile Caribbean coastal town in Yucatán, you can look north and see the towering hotels of Cancún. But that’s about the only sign you’re anywhere near a major tourist destination and as soon as you tuck into a sandy beachside bar and kick back in a swing with a drink, you’ll completely forget they exist. Seafood joints and cafes line the main boulevards. You’ll hear English, Spanish, and a smattering of other European languages streaming out of spots like the vegan-friendly Cafe Layla and Spyder Café conversations between expats who spend entire seasons in the village. All of them are here to enjoy Puerto Morelos’ warm breezes, low prices, and minimal crowds the idyllic low-key hideaway, hidden in Cancún’s shadow.
The Black Hills is sometimes a misnomer. | Photo courtesy of Travel South Dakota
The Black Hills is sometimes a misnomer. | Photo courtesy of Travel South Dakota
“They say there’s about a thousand people living in Hill City,” the barista at the Lynx Den Coffee Shop said as he gazed out the window at an empty, snowy street. “But I ain’t seen any of them. Not lately, anyway.”It was seemingly a setup for a horror movie. A tiny, empty coffee shop set on a frozen, abandoned street in a town designed for summer travelers visiting Mt. Rushmore, manned by a guy who was just a little
Pierre, SD, USA / DRGNews
Jan 22, 2021 6:43 AM
Yesterday (Jan. 21), South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and the Department of Tourism presented awards to tourism industry members and businesses, honoring their ingenuity & diligence, extraordinary customer service practices, and lifetime commitment to tourism.
The prestigious Ben Black Elk Award honors an individual who makes outstanding contributions to the state’s visitor industry. This lifetime achievement award went to Susan Johnson of Deadwood. Johnson was the first Secretary of the Department of Tourism and paved the way for many initiatives and programs that are ongoing today.
“Susan began her career in tourism in 1981 and, for the past 40 years, she has tirelessly served the industry. Her list of accomplishments is long and distinguished, and she’s not done yet,” said Noem. The Governor mentioned Susan’s impact on making the Mickelson Trail possible and Susan’s involvement in establishing the state slogan