Mount Rushmore - up close

I walked the base of the monument - using an audio guide to learn more of the history of the development of the project. What a dream to build this incredible monument in rural South Dakota.

The Faces - Mount Rushmore

Honoring important US Presidents - the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln have been carved into the granite rock of Mount Rushmore. Over 400 men worked over 15 years to realize the dream of builder Gutzon Borglum. This monument is a "National Treasure" to be certain. Starting in 1927 much time was invested by Borglum and his supporters in South Dakota to choose the presidents and to design this monument. Mount Rushmore was completed in 1941.

Mount Rushmore, Keystone, SD

We catch our first glimpse of Mount Rushmore just outside of Keystone, SD. At first we are so far away - we are not sure exactly how large the faces are. As we enter the park - the images become much clearer. Our first views are from the Avenue of Flags with flags from all US states and territories. We watched a film the described how Mount Rushmore was developed.

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, South Dakota Black Hills

We start our day heading to Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The sheer rock cliffs of Spearfish Canyon provided a vivid back drop for waterfalls and the beautiful aspen trees in full yellow fall colors. One of my alltime favorite movies is Dances with Wolves. Almost all of the movie was filmed in the Dakotas - including the Badlands and Spearfish Canyon. The winter camp scene at the end of the movie was filmed alongside the creek flowing through this beautiful area. I saw the ridge where "Wind in his Hair" yelled goodbye to Dances with Wolves, ok -- I won't quote the movie. But - the area was simply beautiful!

Shooting of Wild Bill Hickok at Deadwood

We stayed for the big "Shoot out" Where Jack McCall kills Wild Bill Hickok as he plays a game of poker in the No. 10 Saloon. The actor playing Wild Bill was quite knowledgable of his character and answered many questions for the crowd. Wild Bill was holding Aces and eights - now known as the Deadman's hand.

Deadwood, SD

Darrell loved the HBO show "Deadwood"! We strolled through the town of Deadwood just at dusk. It seemed every building had some form of gambling. We went to Saloon No. 10 for a beer and to see the "shoot out". Afterwards - we had a quite nice dinner at the Deadwood Social Club upstairs over the saloon. I had a smoked pheasant pasta dish that was actually wonderful.

Sturgis, SD

Sturgis, SD is famous for the huge Motorcycle Rally held in August each year. During that week a sleepy little town welcomes 400,000 bikers for a huge party. Well - we missed the party - but we found a very quite and sleepy little town. Motorcyle stores and bars were the most prominent attranctions in the town.

Hiking the base of Devil's Tower, WY

I stained (almost) my neck from looking straight up as I hike around the base of the tower. Watching the insane mountain climbers was amazing - not me - I'm staying on the ground! Devil's Tower is near Sundance, WY and provides a loop of the Northern Black Hills in the Eastern Wyoming area. We spent 2 nights in Spearfish, SD.

Devil's Tower, Wyoming

I remember seeing the movie "Close Encounter's of a Third Kind" and thinking - what a cool movie set. I did not realize - Devil's Tower is a real place and is way cool! Visible for miles - this unique sphere rises from the plains - literally. Many mountain climbers love to come to devil's tower to climb the almost sheer cliff sides. We could see at least six climbers on various points of the tower.

Visit with Dale and Tiffany Hawks in Sundance, WY

Tiffany and her Mom - Colleen prepared a wonderful lunch for us. Dale took us on a drive through the area. We enjoyed seeing the ranch area and hearing about the history of the place. Tiffany and Colleen have roots in South Dakota. Dale also loves this beautiful rugged country.

Sundance, WY - visiting Dale and Tiffany Hawks

It was wonderful to visit with Dale and Tiffany Hawks from Memphis. Dale and I went to high school together - all four years. We were next together in the alphabet - so he had to put up with me in home room! They have built a wonderful home just outside of Sundance, WY near the South Dakota border. The home sets up in a pine tree hill top with views that are unbelievable - You can see forever. Dale has done a lot of the work himself on the place - really cool!

North Dakota Bad Lands

The Badlands contain a strange topography - the mesa remains but much of the land has eroded providing stark contrasts. There are many colors in the remaining landscape. The prairie's views are long and beautiful.

Prairie dogs and Buffalo - Teddy Roosevelt NP

I had never seen a prairie dog village before. Just as we entered the Teddy Roosevelt NP - a huge village emerged. The little rodents were scampering everywhere. They sound like they are whistling. Later in our trip - we saw several villages. Roosevelt's ranch contains a large section of the Badlands. We drove the 30 mile wildlife loop - seeing buffalo, deer, wild horses, and prairie dogs.

Teddy Roosevelt National Park - ND Badlands

We drove across the entire state of North Dakota today - with several stops along the way. We finish the day at the very western edge (Near Montana) near Medora, ND, at the Teddy Roosevelt National Park. Roosevelt bought two ranches in this area - we visited the Maltese Cross Ranch (southern ranch) which is also the North Dakota Badlands area. A replica of the cabin has been created near the visitors center. The visitor's center focuses on the ranch life that influenced Roosevelt to become the "Conservation" President - designating hundreds of thousands of acres of land for public parks.

Fort Mandan - Lewis and Clark Winter Headquarters

Lewis and Clark built Fort Mandan alongside the Missouri river for their winter headquarters in 1804-05. Records show that the men built the facility using cottonwood trees, including stone fireplaces for each room in only a few weeks. When the fort was recreated - even using today's technology - it took much longer. The blacksmith's shop proved to be popular with the local indians.

Seaman is the Newfoundland dog that accompanied the group throughout their journey. It was a clear fall day with beautiful fall foliage.

Lewis and Clark Center - Washburn, ND

A new interpretive center along the Missouri River near Washburn, ND focuses on the winter headquarters for the Lewis and Clark expedition. Local historians have recreated a replica of a dugout canoe. The members of the expedition benefited greatly from relations with friendly Mandan Indians to make it through the long cold winter.