June 3

A rainy, chilly day in Hill City, SD. We braved the elements around 10:00 and headed to Crazy Horse - thoroughly enjoyed the movie telling the story of this magnificent structure that was started in 1948 and is the world's largest mountain carving with work in progress. Ironically, the first blast occurred 61 years ago today (6/3/48). Unfortunately, because of the fog, we could not see it (BUMMER), but they did a blasting at 11:00 and we could HEAR and FEEL it....do visit the Crazy Horse Memorial if and when you're in South Dakota. Big-horn sheep coming down the mountain in The Badlands taken 6/2

The famous Wall Drug in Wall, South Dakota - we saw signs for this hundreds of miles away. How this came to be and its amazing success story is well worth reading on the internet. Be sure and check this out if you're in the area!

Entrance to Mount Rushmore Scenic spot in Mount Rushmore In the Black Hills, there are many teepee-shaped piles throughout the forests which rangers have compiled to thin out dense areas. By gathering excess tree branches, they are cleaning up the forest and protecting the Black Hills from catastrophic forest fires. These slash piles help the National Park Rangers maintain a healthy habitat for both plants and animals. There are MANY of these throughout the park George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln

This is so impressive and we are so glad we arrived yesterday afternoon to see it cause today it was totally lost in the fog!
Avenue of the Flags at Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore at night

There is a lighting ceremony every evening at 9:00 (thank you to those friends who told us not to miss this) which consists of patriotic music and a brief update on why these 4 presidents were chosen to be part of this national monument by the sculptor, Gutzon Borglum.


Washington for the BIRTH of our country; Jefferson for EXPANSION (Louisiana Purchase); Lincoln for the PRESERVATION and saving the union during the Civil War; and Roosevelt for the DEVELOPMENT of the nation in a new century.


We enjoyed a 20-minute video on how Mount Rushmore was built (fascinating). All military (past and present) were invited to come on stage for the ceremony of taking down the flag, folding and passing to each military person. And then the monument was gradually lit up - very impressive as we all sang the National Anthem.
Entrance to Crazy Horse Memorial
The sculpture designed by Korczak Ziolkowski


Tomorrow we leave South Dakota taking with us many fond memories. The beauty of this state is so diverse from the flatlands where you can see forever with all the grazing cattle and wind farms to the start of rolling hill country in Chamberlain to the magnificent rock formations in The Badlands. And then onto Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse where I have the utmost admiration for these skilled craftsmen who designed and built these national monuments in the most dire circumstances and weather conditions.


While we gained an hour yesterday as we entered the Mountain Time Zone, we sure didn't think we would be pulling out the warm woolies so soon....ha! We went from the sunny 80's to the rainy 40's and overnight lows in the 30's. Last night and today, we were bundled up in several layers, heavy sox, winter/rain coats, gloves and ear muffs! Oh well....it was more than worth it to enjoy this beautiful part of our country!

Onto Wyoming tomorrow....