7-9 Mt. Rushmore/ Custer State Park

































































 Today’s adventure…We visited My. Rushmore. I did not expect to be so impressed. Though the method of parking was strange, the walk up to and entrance into the monument does take your breath away. Lined by each state flag and a sign stating that this part of the memorial park was meant for free speech, we only saw a gentleman with yoga meditation books and two you men from Jehovah Witness. Dennis took pictures of each flag and statehood plaque for the states we have lived in. The area was crowded with family groups but not so full we couldn’t enjoy the sites. 

We took the President’s walk around the memorial. We walked up and down several stairs, viewing the monument from different angles. Even saw a chipmunk at one point scurrying around. We thought it was interesting to listen to the park ranger describe the sculpting technique and share the different tools used  (mainly explosives and Jack hammers)  

Before getting to the park we saw from the road the carving of Crazy Horse which is in progress  After the monument visit we went to the town of Keystone  I had read that that was where Borgman’s actual museum was  we did not find it  

What we did find was a great little restaurant called Peggy’s. As it turned out we just missed FOX and Friends visit from a week before.  No problem, the food was great and we would highly recommend this place.

On our way back to home base we traveled through Peter Norneck’s scenic highway (one part of it). How beautiful. At different spots you could make out the monument. The bridges were constructed from huge logs and the tunnels were precisely 12 feet high boxed openings to drive through only one vehicle at a time. 

As our ride continued we ended up in Custer State Park and purchased a week pass. This is the largest state park in the US with over 71,000 acres.  They are known for the large herd of Buffalo that live here and for the needle towers of granite (rock climbing is big here).

Back in our camp we were expecting a severe thunder storm, however we barely got any rain, but a lot of lightning and thunder. Ate dinner out with our camp fire blazing because it was getting cold out. Another memorable day.


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