Day 10, August 29, 2018 Mt. Rushmore, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse


Busy day today.  First things first, off to Mt. Rushmore.  Right next to our RV park is an animal park and we saw these two goats playing on the "Goat Bridge".






On the way to Mt. Rushmore, saw a place that did wood carvings so we just had to stop and take a look.  Expensive but great work.  I wanted to buy the big Indian/Eagle statue and put in our front yard in Middletown but couldn't figure out how to strap it down on the roof of the RV so had to pass.





What a great day to see Mt. Rushmore - not a cloud in the sky, high aroung 78*.  Couldn't ask for better weather.  This is a colossal monument to Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln.  Everyone should see this monument once in their lifetime.  It was done back when the country was doing very well, so there weren't a lot of talk about what a waste of money it would be.  I am glad they did it.  Sometimes you just need to bite the bullet and do something - Mt. Rushmore, sending someone to the Moon and back.  I think it pulls us together as a nation.

Off to Cluster State Park.  Heard if you want to see wildlife this is the place.  $20 entry fee, but ...  We were so diligent in looking for anything, please let us see something.  Then there was a Mule Deer in the woods not far away.  Cool.  Asked the Rangers where we could see the buffalo, was told drove along that road and saw them, but so far away no way we could take a picture.  Disappointment.  Well, we know where the donkeys are, so we went there and sure enough very friendly donkeys - one wanted to get into our car and drive away!  Also, prairie dog colony in same place.  Just had to walk out to them to get them to start barking.  It was great fun.  Then off to Wind Cave, but first there is a Pronghorn Antilope!  Cool.  But then here is a buffalo - it is going to cross the road right in front of us.  Our car got within 20 feet of him.  Wonderful.  We feel complete now.

Wind Cave - We were getting tired at this time, so decided not to go on the tour (we would have had to wait an hour and a half anyway, so no go).  Did walk down to the opening and listen to the wind coming out of the cave.  It was so cool, literally, it was like air conditioning.  Walking back to the Visitor Center saw a flock of wild turkeys.

Then off to Crazy Horse.  Were told by several it wasn't worth the $30 to go in (unless you wanted to support the project - it is a private project), so we decided to do a drive by.  Another colossal monument.  Love it!

Then to Firehouse Brewery in downtown Rapid City for dinner and a long over due beer.  Tiring day, but we saw a lot and had a blast.


Proghorn Antelope
Wild Turkey




Prairie Dog






Comments

  1. Nunya November 24, 2018 at 2:08 PM

    recall the rv park you used and any feedback about it? Do you recall if so far in your trip and that tunnel if 40' rv fits?

    ReplyDelete

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