June 14, 2009

Well here it is the last day in South Dakota.
We are just sitting around the campground today; we are a little tired from trying to fit everything in; but I think we did it.
We have had a great time here and the campground is just wonderful; couldn't ask for any more amenities.
Well hopefully you will hear from us tomorrow from Montana.

June 12, 2009

Today started with doing laundry and I think it is going to end the same way.

We rented an ATV (believe it or not) and went through miles and miles of unpaved forest service roads.
Needless to say we had a blast; the only mistake was Robert asking Dorothy if she wanted to drive. He ended up full of mud and she ended up with a full load of muddy laundry. But let me tell you it was so worth it.

Tonight we are going to the lighting of Mount Rushmore. Every night they do a program dedicated to the military and civil service. At the end they shine huge spotlights on the mountain; it has been too cloudy all week to do it so tonight's the night. (We hope)

June 11, 2009

We started the day off early again with a trip to Wyoming.

We decided to go to see the monument Devils Tower - another breathtaking experience.

Anybody who doesn't know the story it is about 7 Indian girls that were playing and a bear began to chase the girls; when the bear was about to catch them they jumped upon a rock about three feet high and they began to pray for the rock to save them. The rock heard their prayers and began to ascend upward. The bear then clawed and jumped at the sides of the rock. The bear continued until the girls were pushed up into the sky, where they are to this day as a group of seven little stars the (Pleiades).

The drive was around 250 miles round trip - our poor little jeep is going to need a nap.

In the late afternoon the sky was somewhat clear so we decided to try seeing Crazy Horse again.

We got there and it was a little foggy - but the fog lifted just enough for us to see it. The entire story and facility were so interesting.

Again another successful day of being tourists - you never know what tomorrow will bring.

June 10, 2009

Today the weather here was just awful - rainy and cold - it never got out of the 40s.
We decided to do something inside.
Found a winery called Prairie Berry. They have produced wines that have received 225 international awards.
Dorothy had to sample many, many wines. Then we decided to purchase the ones with the best names. 3Rednecks - Red Ass Rhubarb the names were good, but the wines were better - can't wait to share them.
The thing we have found the most interesting in such a tourist area is the lack of restaurants.
Sorry no pictures today.

June 9, 2009

Today we tried to see the Crazy Horse Monument, but it was too foggy so we will try that again another day.
In the afternoon we decided to take a train ride on a restored steam train. We rode upon engine #7. It was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1919. It was sold to and operated by the Caddo and Choctaw Railroad years later. The "seven" was sold to the Prescott and Northwestern in Northern Arkansas in 1938, and was acquired by the Black Hill Central Railroad in 1962.
We traveled through the Black Hills through several mining areas and viewed some unbelievable private homes. One home took 12 years to build. The train took us from Hill City to Keystone and back again the whole trip took 2 1/2 hours; it was a great last minute decision trip.

June 8, 2009

This morning we woke to 30 degrees.

Today we were up early and out to the Mount Rushmore National Monument; thank goodness we were. By 9:00 it was packed; we got there at 8:15 (yes even Dorothy was up and functional). It is just amazing - it really does take your breath away and to learn the story behind it and how the workers carved it was just something. We can't imagine workers today doing what they did and not complain - talk about just being glad you have a job. Picture sitting on a swing, hung by ratty looking ropes 4000 feet up and chiseling and blasting into a mountain. If anyone ever has a chance to come to South Dakota you must do it. After the monument we headed to the Presidential wax museum. It was pretty interesting; we learned a lot about the early presidents that we had forgotten. Then we headed back to the campground and just sat around the fire.

June 7, 2009

Today we just took a ride into Rapid City to go to wal mart; yes it is 50 miles to the nearest one.

The weather here is very unpredictable - we have had fog and rain today. Yesterday it was sunny and raining.

Caught a double rainbow at the campground.

It does get chilly (for Dorothy) at night; down around 40.