Devils Tower, Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial

And I have wifi again!  We are currently in Wichita, KS, but we've been to and seen such wonderful sights that I just can't leave them out.  On the 29th of July we left North Dakota (after 21 days) and traveled into South Dakota to Belle Furche with a side trip to Devils Tower in WY.  Gene walked the trail around it while I viewed the exhibits.  When he came back, I walked with him to the first plateau - not a long walk, but up a little hill.  In the high altitude, it was enough to get me winded. 

The following day we drove down to Spearfish Canyon - such a diversity of canyon walls and timbered hills.  We pulled off many times at the overlooks to marvel at the beauty and take pictures.  This drive took us to Lead and on to Deadwood.  This happened to be the week before the Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis and many of the motorcyclists were also out enjoying the sights.  When we arrived in Deadwood, the streets were lined with cars and cycles and people everywhere.  I'm not fond of crowds,  so decided there wasn't really anything there I needed to see.  At least is anyone asks, I can say I've been there.

On the 31st we were able to meet our friends Mark and Sharleen in Rapid City at Applebee's.  We first met them at a Gypsy Journal Rally in Selina, Ohio in 2009.  It had been a couple years since we had seen them, so it was great to spend time with them.

.                                                                                                                                                                              Our next big event was the visit to Mt. Rushmore.  We drove up the winding road, around a corner and caught our first sight of it.  It was a breathtaking moment.  We thought we could be satisfied with a few pictures from a distance, but not so.  We gladly paid the parking fee of $11.00 and walked up to the viewing area.  I'm so glad we did.  It was one of those moments when you realize how blessed we are to be able to travel and see these marvelous places.   We rested up a couple of days at Country Charm near Custer, SD and then headed back north to Crazy Horse Memorial on Saturday.  They had wonderful displays of Native American items.  The highlight for me was the Native American dances done by Jumping Buffalo, a sixth generation descendent of Sitting Bull, his son and other family members.  It touched me deeply!

We traveled from there to Wall, SD and stayed at Arrow Campground for two nights.  On Sunday, we ate a delicious breakfast at Wall Drug,  attended First United Methodist Church and then browsed through the shops.  That was the last time I had wifi, so will continue to play the "catch up" game. 

Until the next post, God's blessings to all our friends and family.