Visit With Friends Continued–Crazy Horse Memorial & Bear Country

(Lake Sheridan, South Dakota) 72 cool, occasional rain, chilly in evening

Today the weather is perfect.  Motorcycles are buzzing around everywhere.  Hill City Main Street is closed to traffic except for motorcycles.  They are parked on both sides of the street and in the middle.  I can hardly recognize the town right now. 

Our friends are still here and we decided to go out to see the Crazy Horse Memorial.  It is a huge memorial of the Lakota Indians initiated in 1947.

We had visited the site three years ago.  It does not seem like much progress has been made except for the removal of a lot of rock below the monument. The museum, artists home,  and gift shops are very interesting, however, the cost to visit ($24 per car load or $10 per person) is somewhat high and you cannot get very close without having to spend more.  There is also a laser light show at night for an additional cost. 

Below is a sculpture of how it is intended to look.  I’m not sure it will be finished in my lifetime.  You can see the memorial in the distance. 

Kenzie & Jackie

Lots of motorcycles in the parking lot

I had to work at the day booth afterwards.  So, Jackie and Kenzie went to a Old McDonalds Farm and feed the animals.

Afterwards we had dinner at the campground and another great fire.  The next morning we were off to Bear County for a visit.  Kenzie was excited to go.  We had visited last month but saw a lot more animals today due to the cooler weather.  Here are a few of our favorite pictures.  We love this place. 

Elk...nice rack!

Big Horn Sheep

Mule Deer

Mountain Goat

Wolf

Wolf

Grizzly Bear

Badger

This is the life

"yikes...there has to be an easier way of getting up here"

"whew...made it, nice view"

Baby Land is an area you can walk through and see the small animals.  The baby cubs were having a great time playing with each other and some visitors.  Click on the video to see some of the fun.

 

In the afternoon we went to Custer State Park.  See tomorrows post all the details.   

A Visit With Friends From Indiana–Mount Rushmore and 1880’s Train Trip

(Lake Sheridan, South Dakota) 75 blue skies, occasional showers

We were so  happy to have two special visitors this week come to see us from Indiana.  I used to work with Jackie and she brought along her three year old daughter Kenzie for what we called Jackie and Kenzie’s Big Adventure.  They flew into Rapid City and rented a car.  It was Kenzie’s first plane ride and she really liked it. 

I found a loft cabin nearby for them to stay  and after they settled  in we had a quick dinner and set off to see Mount Rushmore.  We hiked the Presidential Trail that goes sort of under the monument. It gives you a different perspective and helps you understand how huge the monument really is in size. 

Kenzie and Jackie

We did not stay for the evening performance.  Our trip needed to be designed around a three year olds attention span.   

The next morning we went into Hill City and took the 1880’s train adventure.  This is a one hour trip (one way) to Keystone.  It was fun to watch the steam engine connect to the cars and fill up with water. 

1880's Train Station in background

With an “All Aboard” and a wave to the on lookers we left on a leisurely trip through the  country side

Nice home in the country

The trip was narrated throughout and snacks and beverages were sold along with a more detailed guide book about the train.  It was a very pleasant trip.  You can go one way or round trip.  We stayed only 15 minutes before the train started on it’s return trip.  You can stay longer and shop in Keystone. (Cost is $24 for adults and $12 for children roundtrip) 

Pine forests are being thinned due to the devastating Pine Beetle

House built on rock as a barrier for fire

Someone decided to take a nap on the way back. 

Afterwards we later met up at the campground and had a great dinner outside on the picnic table.  Dessert was s'mores cooked over a fire.  It was a great couple of days. More adventures to follow in our next post.