DAY 9 - Part 2 - CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL

JUNE 26, 2012

The evening of our 30th Wedding Anniversary, after the gourmet Buffalo filet mignon dinner at the STATE GAME LODGE, in Custer State Park, we drove over to CRAZY HORSE MOUNTAIN, via Rt. 16A to Rt. 87N to The Needles and Sylvan Lake.  We then turned south on Rt. 16/385 South to Crazy Horse Mountain.  We had been advised that June 26th was a special day at Crazy Horse Mountain.  It was in fact, one of two days when there is a NIGHT BLAST, each year.  June 26 was selected to celebrate the birthday of Ruth Ziolkowski whose husband Korczak Ziolkowski was the Sculptor who started the carving of Crazy Horse on June 3, 1948.  After his death, Ruth took on the task with several of their children, of seeing the image completed.

We arrived at Crazy Horse Mountain about 8:25PM, and donated a collection of canned goods which would go to the local Food Pantry.  This was an exception to the usual $10 admission per person, because it was a Birthday Blast to honor Ruth.   This project is totally Visitor Supported, with no state or federal funds accepted.  It is a 501(c)(3) organization, and tax deductible under IRS rules.  For information, please visit their website at:  www.crazyhorsememorial.org

  
The Lazer Show began at 9 PM, followed by the BLAST at approximately 10 PM.  It was cool enough that evening that I slipped into the sweater I had brought along.  We had seating to watch the Show on a grassy knoll outside the Visitor's Center, against a railing that gave our backs nice support.  I know the Lord blessed us with that spot because it is reported that there were 8,000 people there that evening.  We had a place to park that conveniently had a Shuttle service that took us up to the Mountain.  How great is that!   Here are a few more pictures I took while there.  Literally,  celebrating our 30th Wedding Anniversary was a BLAST!

First Profile image we saw as we arrived.

Oglala Lakota College

Quilt in Visitor's Center

The first of many Blasts

 

Profile of Crazy Horse Head during Blast

Happy Birthday Ruth Cake and Blast

DAY 8 - Part 3 - WALL DRUG, Wall, SD

JUNE 25, 2012

          We had a short drive today from Winner, SD to Wall, SD.  As I reported in an earlier edition, we drove via The Badlands National Park for 32 miles.  See my earlier Day 8 posting.  Once we settled into our camp site, we walked a few blocks to experience Wall Drug.  They had advertised an invitation to visit for hundreds of miles.  I'm glad we took them up on the invitation.  They have grown to cover an entire block in Wall, SD.   See more at:   www.walldrug.com

          We had a fine, very reasonable, roast beef  dinner in their Cafeteria.  There were several dining areas to take our food into, and while there, we enjoyed  viewing the Western Art Gallery that graced the walls.

          After dinner, we browsed through a variety of the departments of merchandise.  We also took a few minutes in the Chapel which could seat at least 50 people. Here are just a few of the items we took delight in seeing.

          While we were shopping, a Severe Thunderstorm began and threatened to continue for several hours.  We took time to write some post cards, and when it cleared, we walked back to our camp site.  This magnificent sunset was our reward for resisting some of those boots that ranged in price up to and beyond $895 a pair. 

What a thrill to see this God given gift at the close of our 8th Day of travel.  The setting

Sun over Wall, South Dakota.

DAY 11 - Mount Rushmore National Park, South Dakota

JUNE 28, 2012

We entered Custer State Park via Rt. 36 to US 16A, where we took the Iron Mountain Road, which was a narrow road with sharp curves.   Our first blessing was a Prong Horn Antelope grazing on a hillside, as we came around a curve.

Prong Horn Antelope

One of the awesome pictures ops we had was the frame the far side of a rock tunnel made for us, as  we passed through it,  23 miles into our journey to Mt. Rushmore.

We took two hours to drive to Mt. Rushmore because the speed limits on the windy, curvy road

ranged from 20 to 25mph in most places.  We also stopped often to take pictures.

We arrived at Mt. Rushmore at 12:30 PM, and stayed through 4:30 PM.  We took time for a marvelous Buffalo Chili and crisp green Salad in the Carver's Cafe.  Our timing was perfect to join a 30 minute Ranger guided walk to the Sculptor's Studio which we were warned would include 240 steps walking down, and 120 steps returning to the starting point.  The Ranger conveniently stopped at many areas with benches or stone wall seating, in the shade.  From those talking areas, I was able to take these awesome individual shots of the four Presidents.

 

 George Washington

Abraham Lincoln

Theodore Roosevelt

Thomas Jefferson

After a second Ranger gave us a talk about how the heads were carved in the mountain,

we met someone who took our picture for us, after we offered to take his family's picture.

"One good turn deserves another", is the motto for those who want to have their entire family

in the photo, without setting up a tripod and using a time release feature.

Russ and Rita at Mt. Rushmore

National Park entrance.

You can see more and learn more about this wonderful place by going to:

www.nps.gov/moru

Thanks for visiting our Blogspot.  Please take time to leave a greeting and comment.

It encourages me to take the time to make entries, for your viewing pleasure.

DAY 10 - WILDLIFE LOOP DONKEYS - CUSTER STATE PARK, SD

JUNE 27, 2012
Part One

         Today we drove the Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park which is Rt. 16A.

                                   Our goal was to see as much of their animal kingdom
as possible.  The first to greet us were the wild Donkeys that seemed really tame, as you can see in the photos..

     For additional information about Custer State Park, go to:  www.CusterStatePark.com .
We are so glad the $15 Entrance fee entitles us to visit for anywhere from 1 to 7 days.  What a bargain.  It helps keep the Visitor Centers open where we get such helpful information from the Rangers, and nice clean restrooms, and gift shops.  The nature identification book I purchased the first day has become a great reference book that I turn to every day.  It is:  WILDFLOWERS, GRASSES & OTHER PLANTS of the NORTHERN PLAINS and BLACK HILLS by Theodore Van Bruggen.  My friend Doug is blessed to have an autographed copy.  He once was in a class or taught a class in which the author was present.  Pretty cool, how our lives become interwoven with folks.

DAY 10 - Part 2 - CUSTER STATE PARK

          I spent over an hour composing a nice story of our Day 10 touring the Wildlife Loop (Rt 16A) in Custer State Park, in South Dakota, only to lose it.  So here is Part 2, to complete the story.

The first photo is one Russ took out his window of a Bull Buffalo.  The second was one I took out my window of a Herd grazing.  The third is their dropping which is called a Buffalo Pie or Chip by the Forest Rangers at the Visitor's Center.

          I understand the Pioneers used the dried Buffalo Pie as fuel to their sod homes, and also when dried they make a great Frizbee.  I understand some charities have Buffalo Pie Toss games at their outdoor Fairs. 

          That is it for now.  Have to get ready to be ON THE ROAD AGAIN.  Today (June 28) we are heading for Mount Rushmore.   More later!

DAY 9 - CUSTER STATE PARK, South Dakota

JUNE 26, 2012
Today is our 30th wedding anniversary, which is what prompts us to be taking this journey.  Today we traveled 153 miles from Wall, SD to Hermosa, SD, via Interstate 90 West.  When we got off at Exit 61 for the Visitors Center, we replenished our gas supply for $3.45 per gallon.  We had our homemade salads in our truck where it was Air Conditioned because the outside temperature had climbed to 105 degrees.

     It made us very aware of how God looks out for us.  We would not have been able to enjoy
the many stops at Overlooks in the Badlands yesterday, had the temps been as hot as today.  I did in fact, feel a little woozy from the 105 degree heat, as I prepared our salads in the RV, which is only air conditioned when we are on a site, and hooked into electric.

105 degrees at Noon, Exit 61, off I 90West

Our stop at the Visitors Center was memorable because the attendant took our picture next to the

Epoxy Buffalo Sculpture which was like the Horses that they did a few years ago in Rochester, NY, and the Moose that Kathy, Lori and I saw in Vermont in 2007.

 Buffalo Sculpture at Visitor's Center

*****

Anniversary dinner at State Game Lodge was Buffalo filet Mignon.

The Game Lodge was President Calvin Coolidge's Summer White House.

We were alerted to his presence by a stopped vehicle.

Fortunately, he was on my side, and I opened the window and

got these shots.  Our Anniversary gift from God!!!

Buffalo was about 33 foot from the road.

The Sculpture was a prelude to seeing the real thing, later in the day.  We were in Custer State Park, traveling the Rt16A, after having a Buffalo meat dinner at the State Game Lodge to celebrate our Anniversary in style.  The State Game Lodge had been recommended by the attendant at the Visitor's Center, who also suggested the Buffalo Meat Stew which Russ ordered as an appetizer ($7 for the bowl), so we could both taste it.  I ordered Buffalo Filet Mignon at $36 per plate which was well worth it.  It was done to my specifications, although the Chef prefers to prepare the meat red, I asked for it to be medium well.

As we traveled Rt16A, we encountered spectacular formations at every turn.  We took the fork to Rt.87 Needles Highway Scenic Drive and encountered Tunnels, one of which had an 8 ft.5 inch width clearance.  The dual hips on our Ford 350, bearly cleared them.  Russ said not to worry, "if we didn't knock off the side mirrors which were extended for when we are hauling, we were safe".  Well, I will tell you, I did not want to put my hands out during that passage through the rock tunnels that had been carved (blasted) through the mountains.  The Needles Eye was worth the drive.  However, it was scary as I was on the outside edge that would have dropped off.  We saw lots of dead timber from a forest fire several years ago.  Already, new growth is filling in. 

 Russ spotted this deer as he executed one of the many "U" hairpin curves. 

We were above the next switch back and could see him below us. 

He was still in the road as we rounded the curve,

and paused long enough for me to get this picture.

As we experience the joy of seeing these natural  wonders, we are reminded that "the best things in life are FREE".  I know, GAS to get there is not, but we sure are blessed to be happy with this type of simple pleasure, on a daily basis.  I must confess, the daily pass to Custer State Park costs $15 for the entire vehicle, and is good for seven days.  We are happy we had made RV camp ground reservations to be in the area through Friday, so we can get our money's worth.  Just the experience of yesterday was money well spent, and we would highly recommend this section of South Dakota to anyone.  We see many family groups, and all styles of camping.  There were lots of tents along the streams in the Park, as well a RV's.  We have not idea how the RV's got there.  We sure would not have been able to clear the tunnels with our 12 ft. 9 inch height clearance requirement.. 

Time to "get on the road again".  We will have to tell you about the Blast at Crazy Horse, another time.

DAY 8 - Part 2 - BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK, South Dakota

DAY 8 continued
Monday, June 25, 2012     was a short travel day (181 miles) which allowed us time to drive the
                                             32 mile Loop into Badlands National Park.  We stopped at the Visitors Center for an excellent video about the Park.  I purchased WILDFLOWERS - GRASSES AND OTHER Plants of the NORTHERN PLAINS and BLACK HILLS which already has helped me to identify many of the grasses and flowers I have photographed.  It is authored by Theodore Van Bruggen, Biology Department of the University of South Dakota.

I took 185 pictures today, and must limit myself in sharing them with you because of the time of night, and I really don't want to bore you.  It was all so unbelievably beautiful.  We started with the rock and sand formations, then the beauty of a Meadowlark, and the excitement of seeing our first Big Horn Sheep when we stopped at a Scenic overlook.

 Water droplets on Redtop grass.

Meadowlark

Big Horn Sheep in Badlands Nat'l Park

DAY 8 - BADLANDS, South Dakota

On the eighth day we drove a total of 181 miles of which 32 were through the Loop of the Badlands National Park.  What an awe inspiring journey.  Very quickly, the highlights included the video in the Visitors Center to prepare us for the experience and give us some understanding of what we were about to see.  Then at one of the overlooks which we recommend you take time to enjoy, we saw a Meadowlark preparing to feed its young.  It perched on a branch, not wanting to let us know where its nest was hidden.  We had plenty of time to take a video and digital pictures of it.   A Big Horn Sheep was at the next scenic overlook.  What a thrill to watch him appear from behind the rocks and mosey across the crest of the hills.

Here are four more of the Badlands pictures that will give you some idea of the simple beauty that stretches for 32 miles and more:

Time to hit the road again.   I will look forward to your comments.

Today is our 30th Wedding anniversary, June 26th.  What a memorable way to celebrate.