Man vs Nature

What a day of goosebumps! Whether we are telling you about the creations of inspired and committed artists or the work of the Divine, it is easy to see why the Black Hills have always been considered a sacred and spiritual place.

Although we are camping tonight (Custer State Park) only about 80 miles from where we were last night, we managed to put 212 miles on today by touring this amazing area.

We drove past mountain roads with a view of Mt Rushmore and then visited Crazy Horse mountain (a work still in progress but massive, impressive, and very meaningful).



Then we rode on to Jewel Cave National Monument for a tour of the 2nd longest cave in the world filled with really cool calcite deposits entirely different than the caves in MO. Let me add that we had a ranger guide that was a theater major in an earlier life!



Next it was on to Custer SP to set up camp, fix dinner, and watch part of the Cardinal game thanks to the wonders of the IPad, Dish network, and AT&T 3G service. Free roaming wildlife abounds here but thankfully not at our campsite.

We finished our day with a night trip to Rushmore. As the sun goes down and they play America the Beautiful and the crowd sings together the National Anthem as they slowly light the faces of the Presidents, I challenge you not to tear up. Follow that with inviting veterans to the stage for a flag lowering ceremony! See you have goosebumps too!






Tomorrow we are going to explore more of the park, get some wildlife photos to share, and journey into Wind Cave. Then we will be ready to head north.

Stats:
212 miles
Gas $53.35 (3.36 a gallon)
A few supplies $15.11
Camping $27.70
Entry fees, parking, tour $46
Ice,coffee,postcard for GramaGeorgia $4.33

The feeling I am falling asleep with: PRICELESS

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