Day 87 August 13th Travel to Rapid City SD
State 17 South Dakota
Arrived Rapid City Really nice campground. Extended our stay to the week we originally planned.
During the night we were awoken by a strange sound. We discovered it was liquid falling from the sky. As we had not seen this for over 80 days it took us a moment to realize it was raining.
Day 88 August 14th Rapid City SD
We took the Highway through the Black Hills. The weather was iffy but we figured we`d take a chance. Heavy rain and lightning through the mountains but we made it to Deadwood. Rain stopped but it was cool and overcast. We did a Kevin Costner tour of the city and cemetery. Mt. Mariah is where Wild Bill and Calamity Jane are buried. Deadwood is where Bill was shot playing cards and held the infamous dead man’s hand, aces and 8’s`s. Jane’s last wish was to be buried beside bill. The weather cleared up nicely and we were back to T-shirts and sunglasses. Lots of gambling saloons and street shootouts during the day. We visited the Adams Museum and saw the largest chunk of gold taken from the mines. We went into the #10 saloon where Bill was shot, although the location was moved due to fires destroying most of the town. Lunch at Mustang Sally`s
Day 89 August 15th Rapid City SD
Through the Black Hills again to the Wind Cave National Park. The longest cave in the world. Wind caves are famous for its boxwork, a formation that looks like corrugated cardboard. It is also a sacred place for the Lakota Indians. It is said they came from under the ground through a hole in the cave. We took the 1.25-mile tour, very narrow and 300 steps mostly downhill. On our way there we stopped to take some photos of the Crazy Horse Monument. We were brought back to the surface via an elevator. For dinner, we took in a chuckwagon show and dinner. Pretty good food and good music by some talented performers. Plenty of humor throughout.
Day 90 August 16th Rapid City SD
Back to the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore. Although we’ve seen this mountain carving many times there is still an impressive sight when it is right there in front of you. I wore my Stone Mountain T-shirt and a ranger spotted it. He pointed out that both these carvings were done by the same sculptor, Gutzon Borglum. Walked around, and had lunch in Keystone, SD near the monument.
Day 91 August 17th Rapid City SD
Back to the Black Hills, Custer, and wine tasting in Hills. 5 or 6 wineries there. Most were not bad, one was. Naked Winery. All of the tastings had an aftertaste and really small samples. We had our first campfire and meal cooked over it. Sat outside until dark. Actually camping.
Day 92 August 18th Rapid City SD
There is a “drugstore” in Wall that is actually a huge tourist attraction. Aptly called Wall Drug Store. They have been offering free ice water since 1931. They also sell coffee for 5 cents. They have every souvenir you can think of and then a few. Fresh made donuts as well. Then we went on tour through the Badlands. After a picnic lunch, we drove through this quite out of place wonder of geological rock. The only wildlife we saw were Prairie dogs. Near the exit are two Minuteman missile silos. One is glass covered and you can look down into the silo.
Day 93 August 19th Rapid City
Rainy dull and crappy Stayed around Campground. Dinner at Texas Steakhouse.
Day 94 August 20th Travel to Mitchell, SD
R&R Campground. Behind a Motel 6. $17.44 a night full hookups cable pool and wifi.
Mitchell’s claim to fame is The World’s Only Corn Palace. A building which is redone every year with corn and corn husks. The entire building is graced with murals with a different theme. They have been doing this since 1892.
