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. 

Visit To An Underground Waterfall

(Sheridan Lake, South Dakota) 85 degrees, blue sky, hot

A friend of ours told us about an underground waterfall.  Supposedly it gushes inside of an old abandoned gold mine.  Really?  Road trip!  We took off and drove along a pretty country road that  twisted and turned along the Rapid Creek. 

Rapid Creek

At the ticket booth a nice lady came out and told us about the history of this famous tourist attraction.  It was originally a gold mine in the 1878.  She described how laborious the task was to chip and dynamite with gun powder the mine.  Some gold and other minerals were extracted.  One day as the miners struck the granite walls with their picks  a huge underground stream was struck and a waterfall quickly developed.   The mine was abandoned and forgotten about for many years.

In the early 1900’s a traveler heard about the waterfall and purchased the land.  It was developed into a pretty cool (literally) attraction - Thunderhead Underground Falls.  The new gold in this area became “tourists”.  At one time the waterfall generated the necessary electricity to run the attraction.

Waterfall outside of entrance (not the underground one)

There is a concrete pathway that leads back to the waterfall with a rail.  It is delicious and cool in here.  A stream goes by at a rapid pace to the right and empties out into the waterfall above. 

Gold mine tunnell

As you go down the path it becomes louder and louder.  Suddenly the waterfall appears.  It is quite a thrill to see it roaring out right from the rock.. 

Underground waterfall

We got in free with our VIP pass (regular admission is $7/person).  If you are in the area, be sure to check it out. 

Afterwards we went into Rapid City to do some shopping.  It was very busy.  Sturgis will soon be in action and I think the local folks are stocking up.  We have heard that the locals stay off the roads during this time.