expectations were Crater Lake, Death Valley NP, Hoover Dam, Vicksburg National Park, and esp Theodore Roosevelt National Park. 

I actually enjoyed the whole state of North Dakota much more than I thought I would. Much prettier than I expected.

I love the south, but as we were driving in Mississippi the highways were bounded by trees all along the highway so we never really could see much. 

TRNP does not match Grand Canyon, but it and the Badlands have their own beauty. Probably our best meal was at the restaurant at Rough Riders Hotel in Medora, ND. It might be the best prime rib I've ever had.