Day 8 - Homestead

We decided to make the drive back home from Keystone to Indianola. According to the Garmin GPS it would take 10 hours. We left Keystone about 09:30am. Stopped in Rapid City to fill up the car. On the road again.

We stopped at the Prairie Homestead located at the near the entrance of Badlands National Park on Highway 240. The homestead has a original sod house built in 1909 and a few other outbuildings built by pioneers. This is the second time we have been to the homestead. You really appreciate the things you have now but also realize that life was simpler. No electricity, phones, television or internet. I think if I was going to go without all those luxuries I would rather live in the wooded mountains instead of a barren prairie. I took some pictures of the homestead. Check them out. From the homestead we drove the rest of the way with a couple breaks.

Mari drove Mitchell, SD to just north of Sioux City. We got back to Indinaola about 9:40pm. We had our welcome committee (weird neighbors) to the south of across the street out watching. I pulled into the driveway and they first were at their window watching. We did not get out of the car after I shut it off. They were pretty quick to get outside watching from their porch. They soon were in their yard at the edge of the street watching, trying to see how we were in the car (rental). A few more minutes they were in the street trying to get a better angle and look to see who we were.  I quickly stared the car, backed out and went around the block. As I drove back by them I slowed down so they could see who it was. I then pulled around to our driveway and backed in. Got out of the car and they decided go back in their house. We unpacked the car. Our cat, Fish, was pretty excited to see us. Now she meowing and wanting to go outside. Dad kept an eye on her and would not let her out while were gone. Tomorrow we got to go pickup Lola from the vet. Lola stayed at the vet because she is very hyper and likes to get into trouble. Take the rental car to the airport. Then sometime in the afternoon Lizzie and Patches get to come home from Grandma Carolyn's.

Day 7 - Lazy Day

Today we tried one of the local buffets for breakfast. We went next door to the Railhead Family Restaurant. Tried their morning buffet...did not miss much. For $10 a person it was worse buffet's I had every had. I want to describe the food but I don't want to disgust you, the reader. Anyway don't try the breakfast buffet anytime soon. After the breakfast we walked up the boardwalk and back down. Checked out the wood carving shop. A couple of guys I work with at DMFD have purchased a wood carving. Well, no one was around so we left. Maybe will try again tomorrow after we leave the hotel. Looked in a few shops but did not find a lot. Went back to the hotel room. Mari went to the pool.

For lunch we went back into Hill City. We were tried the Chute Rooster Restaurant. Their sign by the road was flashing open. Pulled up into the parking lot and only scene two cars. Went inside and found the lights off. Thought maybe they were just conserving electricity. Called out but no one answered. So, we left. Decided we go to the Alpine Inn again. It once again was and exceptional lunch. After lunch we walked around to a few stores.

Went back to Keystone and went to the Big Thunder Gold Mine. The tour guide did a good job. He talked about the history of the mine which went straight into the hill. We got to the end and took a picture together. From the mine went to the museum and the guide described the procedure of processing the ore from a mine. Afterwards we tried the panning of gold. Not much found this time.

From Big Thunder we parked the car back at the hotel and walked down to a antique shop. I always enjoy looking at the antiques. Makes me think what I can do and try to build some neat china cabinets or display cabinets. From there we went back to the hotel.

 We decided to relax and get ready to leave tomorrow. 

Day 6 - Crazy Horse

WOW! What a night last night. Got to see one of the greatest memorials at night last night. Got back to an air conditioned room with wifi. I was able to choose a few of the pictures from yesterday to post on the blog. When I finally finished and went to bed it was well over midnight. I ended up having to turn the AC up to warm up a little. I was freezing! This morning I'm the one running slow. I'm going to get ready for today's adventures. Oh yea, here is the panoramic view from our window. For me it is quite relaxing. Look at the lines. See the organic in the non-organic. Do you see the colors. The details...I better get ready for the day.

We decided to go have lunch at the the Alpine Inn in Hill City based on a recommendation from my college friend Dollie Bothwell. It differently was not disappointing. I would recommend eating here if you ever have the opportunity while you are in the Black Hills. After lunch we walked the strip looking at some of the art shops and jewelry stories. Found one shop that sold handcrafted batik items. After a short walk we got caught up on some needed laundry at a local gas station/laundry mat/restaurant. While waiting on the laundry I finished a book called The Small House Book. It talks about living within our means by building a small structure. There are people who build houses that are 120 square feet. Some are built on wheels (trailer) and some are stationary. I would like to build a small cabin for the Lake Rathbun someday. Once we folded and collected our laundry we headed back to Keystone. I ended up finding a side road while in Keystone and took it. Started off paved but soon turned into a level B road. It made a big "U" around a hill. I think Mari really did not like the adventure. We did make it back intact.

 

We went to the Crazy Horse Memorial tonight. We went later in the evening so we could watch the laser show. Once we got there we did the bus ride up to the base of the mountain to view the sculpture up close. The driver/tour guide was very informative. He is a farmer/rancher from eastern South Dakota. His wife and him are here for the summer to help. They are fulfilling a bucket list item. I got a few neat picture while on the bus ride. After the bus ride we checked out the facilities and watched the movie about the making of the memorial. Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski had a dream and it is being carried on by his family to finish the work. The museum was also great too. After the touring the museum we went out to the car and waited for the laser show to start. We had picked a prime location and setup our chairs and I setup my tripod with the camera to do some time lapse photography. Check out the memorial, the artists studio and facilities. It would be worth your time. Check out the some of the photos I attached.  We got back to the hotel after 10:45pm.

Tomorrow brings on a new day and it is after mid-night here. So, good night.

 

 

Day 5 - Mt. Rushmore

Good evening everyone. Today we slept in, I did not set the morning alarm the night before.  Anyway I made breakfast once again. Using the left over biscuits I cooked up a couple of eggs and some pre-cooked bacon for Mari and I. Oh yea, don't forget the most important drink of the day, coffee. We decided to take the scenic Needles Highway to Mount Rushmore. Enjoyed the leisurely drive to Rushmore. We drove the narrow highway driving the twisting and turning road. I especially like the pig tail bridges and the tunnels. Best of all I love the smell if pine in the air.
 
We got to Mount Rushmore after 1pm and walked around before having lunch in the cafeteria. Mari got a cheese burger, cookie and 2x drinks for $15. We ended up splitting the burger and fry. After a quick bit to eat we were off. Went up to amphitheater  and watched a film about the making of Mount Rushmore. Mari said she never seen it before. The short film is narrated by Tom Brokaw. Mari got a book "Mount Rushmore Q&A" by Don "Nick" Clifford in the souvenir store. The last time we were out this way we had gotten the book and Don Clifford signed the copy. Well somewhere between the Black Hills and Yellow Stone the book disappeared or gotten lost. We followed the foot trail around the base of giant carving. With the temperate in the high 90's or low 100's (depending on which weather website you looked at) the walk on the trail was not bad since it shaded. Mari thought was the climb back up the stairs to get to the main area was the worst part of the hike.

On the way out of the park Mari had to stop by the souvenir store for a few things. While inside we found Don "Nick" Clifford was signing copies of the book. Nick is now 92 years young and still very alert. Mari got Nick to sign her copy of the book again. I got a photo of Nick, his wife, Carolyn and Mari together.  She was so excited. Lets hope she keeps track of this copy. ;-) Once she got her t-shirt, bracelet, key chain and etc we headed back to the cabin for supper.

We got back to the cabin and decided it just not that great staying in a cottage/cabin with no air conditioning, TV or internet. With it so hot and with forecast predicting the temperature to remain high we decided after eating supper to locate a new base of operations. After looking up a few hotels in the area on the phone internet we (Mari) choose to stay at a hotel in Keystone. The place is called Mt. Rushmore's White House Resort. It is centrally located in the heart of Keystone with shops and restaurants in walking distances. The price is not to outrageous. We got packed up fairly quickly and hit the road. On the way to our new location we drove by Mt. Rushmore and I was able to inquire about night lighting ceremony. We got to Keystone and checked in fairly quick. Mari had to use the dolly to get all our (her) stuff. Once settled in I was off to Mount Rushmore. Mari stayed at the hotel to relax in an cool place.

Lighting ceremony begins about 9pm with history lesson about 9:30pm they light the presidents heads. It was really neat. I have always found inspiration by visiting Mount Rushmore. The dream of a man to build something monumental. It reminds me of times back in college sculpting stone (on a much smaller scale). Using my hands and tools to create or to draw out what was laying in the stone. Bringing what ever I felt and saw to the surface. I feel so invigorated but also so lost not working in and with the materials I so much enjoyed. I have so many responsibilities and so active in the my career it is difficult to find the time, motivation and inspiration I once had as a art student. Tonight I worked with a media I have not worked with in a long time. I was so excited and felt inspired I will share a few of the pictures I took. I can not describe the feelings I had tonight listening to the ceremony and taking the pictures of the monument and people.

Enjoy.