In case I have forgotten to mention a couple of things:
There are a lot of Cottonwood Trees here. During the Spring, they bloom and then the blooms fall and it looks like it's snowing, in fact, they call it "summer snow". It piles up in some places and even looks like snow.
Another thing was when we drive through Belle Fouche, SD, we found out that it has been determined that this is the geographical center of the U.S. They actually have a large placque in the center of town.
One of the places I regret no going to was Phillipsburg, SD. It seems to have a lot to do and see there and if we ever come out here again, we will be sure to visit this town and the area around it.
Now to continue with our journey...
Rapid City and Beyond
Today is July 2 and we are leaving Rapid City which has been a great experience for us. We arrived here on June 25 and settled in very quickly. We took the afternoon to go into Rapid City (known as the City of Presidents - there are bronze statues of 35 U.S Presidents in the downtown area.
Then on to Walmart to pick up the items we needed. Since it was the weekend, we decided to just relax (you’d think that’s what we do all the time, huh?) Not so, we still have a house to clean. laundry to do and groceries to buy.
It started raining while we were at Walmart so we decided to head home. On the way it really started raining hard....then it started to hail. We had to pull over because we could not see where we were going. The hail was marble size and it sounded as though it would come through the roof of the car.
There are a couple more pictures at the end.
Rapid City and Beyond
Today is July 2 and we are leaving Rapid City which has been a great experience for us. We arrived here on June 25 and settled in very quickly. We took the afternoon to go into Rapid City (known as the City of Presidents - there are bronze statues of 35 U.S Presidents in the downtown area.
Then on to Walmart to pick up the items we needed. Since it was the weekend, we decided to just relax (you’d think that’s what we do all the time, huh?) Not so, we still have a house to clean. laundry to do and groceries to buy.It started raining while we were at Walmart so we decided to head home. On the way it really started raining hard....then it started to hail. We had to pull over because we could not see where we were going. The hail was marble size and it sounded as though it would come through the roof of the car.
There are a couple more pictures at the end.We made reservations to take a tour on Monday (hopefully there won’t be too many children after the weekend) to see all the things that tourist want to see when in this area.
In the meantime, we decided to take in some of the things the tour would not cover. We stopped at the Scandanavian House which is really a gift shop with items from Scandanavia. Very different and a little costly (which is to be expected). While there she took a map and drew the route we should take to see the Chapel in the Hills.
We left there and started out. Well, if you know me, you know I could get lost in a box even if I had a map. Somewhere along the way we made a wrong turn (not at all unusual for us) and ended up taking a scenic tour of the area around Rapid City. It actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise. We went by this beautiful lake (Pactola Lake) which is man-made (as are most of the lakes in the area …so we understand) It is beautiful and is a national park area. (We were and have been in and out of the Blackhills National Forest) Don’t know for sure how large this National Forest is but it seems to go on forever. While there, we asked the Rangers how to get to the Chapel in the Hills….we were not too far off course.
On the way, we saw a sign advertising Thunderhead Underground Falls and decided to see what it was. It turned out to be an old gold mine shaft (we think this is the first place gold was discovered in South Dakota). The underground falls at the end of the shaft. It was not well lit and would have been much better if it had been. Pictures were so-so. We had to walk down the mine shaft which is just a tunnel into the side of the mountain (dark, and wet as the water from the falls ran beside the walk we were on.. Here again, it would have been much better if it had better lighting so we could actually see the walls and some of the things that were pointed out on various signs along the way.
When we went back outside, we realized how cool it was inside the mine shaft… we looked at the falls formed by the water coming out from the underground falls. It was a prettier falls than the one that was underground.
After leaving the underground falls, (we think it was over priced but we’re glad we stopped to see it) we continued on with o
ur journey to find the Chapel in the Hills.
Oh what a sight it was. The Chapel in the Hills is an exact replica of the famous 850 year old Borgund Stavkirke located near Laerdal, Norway. It was originally built as someone's home but was eventually came under the protection of the non-profit organization. It is very umique in it’s construction. There were no nails visible. The front door is known a the Men's door.
We left there and started out. Well, if you know me, you know I could get lost in a box even if I had a map. Somewhere along the way we made a wrong turn (not at all unusual for us) and ended up taking a scenic tour of the area around Rapid City. It actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise. We went by this beautiful lake (Pactola Lake) which is man-made (as are most of the lakes in the area …so we understand) It is beautiful and is a national park area. (We were and have been in and out of the Blackhills National Forest) Don’t know for sure how large this National Forest is but it seems to go on forever. While there, we asked the Rangers how to get to the Chapel in the Hills….we were not too far off course.
On the way, we saw a sign advertising Thunderhead Underground Falls and decided to see what it was. It turned out to be an old gold mine shaft (we think this is the first place gold was discovered in South Dakota). The underground falls at the end of the shaft. It was not well lit and would have been much better if it had been. Pictures were so-so. We had to walk down the mine shaft which is just a tunnel into the side of the mountain (dark, and wet as the water from the falls ran beside the walk we were on.. Here again, it would have been much better if it had better lighting so we could actually see the walls and some of the things that were pointed out on various signs along the way.
When we went back outside, we realized how cool it was inside the mine shaft… we looked at the falls formed by the water coming out from the underground falls. It was a prettier falls than the one that was underground.
After leaving the underground falls, (we think it was over priced but we’re glad we stopped to see it) we continued on with o
ur journey to find the Chapel in the Hills.Oh what a sight it was. The Chapel in the Hills is an exact replica of the famous 850 year old Borgund Stavkirke located near Laerdal, Norway. It was originally built as someone's home but was eventually came under the protection of the non-profit organization. It is very umique in it’s construction. There were no nails visible. The front door is known a the Men's door.
Inside is just as unique as the outside. There is a square hole in the side wall which we understood was to allow the lepers to stand at the hole and hear the sermon. There was also a small door which is known at the women's door. There was an audio about the chapel and ended with music that in my opinion, should have been playing every time the door opened.
Behind the chapel is the “Peaceful Walk” which I can’t begin to tell you how it affected me. It is just a path that goes into the area behind the chapel past the bell tower and there are statues along the way and at each statue there is a Bible verse. By the time we got to the end, I could feel the peace and serenity this path brought me. Extremely worth while taking this walk and feeling the peace come over you.
There is also a gift shop and when you first look at it, there is nothing specticalar about it….that is until you look at the roof. It is a sod roof and there is grass actually growing there. I don’t think that the grass is cut…they just let it grow and it reseeds itself. They have flowers but have some type netting over them so the deer won’t eat everything. (I’m going to try to find some of this stuff when we get back to Texas to see if I can keep the deer from eating my flowers)
There is also a small museum on the property with old relics from the early Scandanavian times.
Our Monday tour started off (they picked us up at Rushmore Shadows) with a pancake breakfast and since I normally do not eat pancakes, I have to tell you these were pretty good. We boarded the bus at 9:00am, met our driver/tour guide (Pastor Bill Martin) and started off.
The first stop was at Mount Rushmore, with plenty of scenery and information along the way. Upon arrival we were instructed where we should go first (we wanted to have our picture taken with Rushmore in the background), We toured the museum and found out a lot about how it all began and saw a lot of tools that were used.. There is a video but we ran out of time and did not get to see it..
Behind the chapel is the “Peaceful Walk” which I can’t begin to tell you how it affected me. It is just a path that goes into the area behind the chapel past the bell tower and there are statues along the way and at each statue there is a Bible verse. By the time we got to the end, I could feel the peace and serenity this path brought me. Extremely worth while taking this walk and feeling the peace come over you.
There is also a gift shop and when you first look at it, there is nothing specticalar about it….that is until you look at the roof. It is a sod roof and there is grass actually growing there. I don’t think that the grass is cut…they just let it grow and it reseeds itself. They have flowers but have some type netting over them so the deer won’t eat everything. (I’m going to try to find some of this stuff when we get back to Texas to see if I can keep the deer from eating my flowers)
There is also a small museum on the property with old relics from the early Scandanavian times.
Our Monday tour started off (they picked us up at Rushmore Shadows) with a pancake breakfast and since I normally do not eat pancakes, I have to tell you these were pretty good. We boarded the bus at 9:00am, met our driver/tour guide (Pastor Bill Martin) and started off.
The first stop was at Mount Rushmore, with plenty of scenery and information along the way. Upon arrival we were instructed where we should go first (we wanted to have our picture taken with Rushmore in the background), We toured the museum and found out a lot about how it all began and saw a lot of tools that were used.. There is a video but we ran out of time and did not get to see it..
As we left Mount Rushmore, our driver kept a running commentary about what we were seeing and threw in facts that we would not have known otherwise. He told us about the “pigtail bridges” which were designed by a man with a third grade education.
Well, let me tell you about the tunnels along the way. At one place we were allowed to get off the bus and take pictures looking through the tunnel at Mount Rushmore. Awesome! In fact, traveling along the highway, you can see Mount Rushmore from several different places which gives you some idea of just how large it really is.
We stopped at one place and our driver took our picture with Cthedral Spires in the background.
(He did a good job too) At the entrance of one of the tunnels we were stopped waiting for our turn to go through the tunnel and guess what, some young boys (I did not see them but presume they were young) JUMPED from the top of one side of the road across the bus to the other side of the road. Apparently this is something that is done all the time. Don't really know if it's actually planned or not.
Well, let me tell you about the tunnels along the way. At one place we were allowed to get off the bus and take pictures looking through the tunnel at Mount Rushmore. Awesome! In fact, traveling along the highway, you can see Mount Rushmore from several different places which gives you some idea of just how large it really is.
We stopped at one place and our driver took our picture with Cthedral Spires in the background.
(He did a good job too) At the entrance of one of the tunnels we were stopped waiting for our turn to go through the tunnel and guess what, some young boys (I did not see them but presume they were young) JUMPED from the top of one side of the road across the bus to the other side of the road. Apparently this is something that is done all the time. Don't really know if it's actually planned or not.
This is a shot of Cathedral Spires. Pictures cannot do any of the scenery justice.We traveled along Iron Mountain Road which leads from Custer State Park (named for George Custer) and went through three granite tunnels which frame Mount Rushmore in the distance.
We had lunch at State Game Lodge where two of our Presidents spent time. (You could order from the menu or they had a buffet, good food and reasonably priced).
Well, as everyone knows, once you have lunch and get back on the bus, your eyes just automatically close. The driver put on some instrumental music and gave us about 24 minutes to nap or whatever. After our short nap, Pastor Bill pointed out that we were approaching another tunnel. Keep in mind that these tunnels are only about 9 feet wide and you know how big our bus is. (the newer buses cannot take this tour because they couldn’t get through the tunnels). These tunnels are along "Needles Highway".
Well, as everyone knows, once you have lunch and get back on the bus, your eyes just automatically close. The driver put on some instrumental music and gave us about 24 minutes to nap or whatever. After our short nap, Pastor Bill pointed out that we were approaching another tunnel. Keep in mind that these tunnels are only about 9 feet wide and you know how big our bus is. (the newer buses cannot take this tour because they couldn’t get through the tunnels). These tunnels are along "Needles Highway".
Along the way we came across the "begging burros". 
They ate pancake pieces (driver had brought from our breakfast) from our hands and we saw them stick their heads into cars looking for some treat or another. We only saw one little one and the mother was very protective.
They ate pancake pieces (driver had brought from our breakfast) from our hands and we saw them stick their heads into cars looking for some treat or another. We only saw one little one and the mother was very protective.We also saw deer and great herds of buffalo/bison. (more than we had seen in Yellowstone). We drove by another beautiful lake (Sylvan).
On we went in the Black Hills toward Crazy Horse Monument. Personally, we were very disappointed. The carving of the monument is going very slowly even though they say it is the World's largest Mountain Carving - now in progress. (It was begun in 1948). It will be huge when it's completed. There is no date for completion. The museum there was interesting and filled with indian relics, but all in all it was extremely commercialized. There were indians selling their hand crafted merchandise as well as a large gift shop. 
Oops, didn't mean to put two of these on the blog.
We reboarded the bus and headed back to Fort Hayes for a Bar-B-Q dinner and a show. The food was good but the show was better. The musicians were very good and some played several different instruments. Did I mention Fort Hayes is where some of the movie "Dancing With Wolves" was made.
We reboarded the bus and headed back to Fort Hayes for a Bar-B-Q dinner and a show. The food was good but the show was better. The musicians were very good and some played several different instruments. Did I mention Fort Hayes is where some of the movie "Dancing With Wolves" was made.
These are a couple of shots taken during the hail storm.
All in all is was a long day but one we are so very glad we took.
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