Today was the highlight of the trip for me…Mount Rushmore. I’m not quite sure why I am so moved by this beautiful landmark but I am. We got to see it last might in a thunder storm but today was a blue sky, albeit a little chilly. We did the presidential trail that allowed us to see it from different angles. We also heard a talk from a ranger about the sculpting process. Did you know Jefferson was originally to being Washington’s right? They got through part of his face snd the Rick below was too brittle.

Andy has decided teddy Roosevelt is his fave pres head. He feels he is under appreciated. What a nice boy, tooting for the underdog. We learned all sorts of other cool things about the memorial including how the presidents look different at different times of the day. In the mid morning it looks as if Washington has a tear coming down his cheek. It was just awesome snd w all lived it.

Next to the Crazy Horse memorial. This is in progress and has been since the late 1940s. It will be the worlds largest sculpture when it’s done but they have a long way to go. it is a private non profit and they have accepted no government money. I encourage you to read about the sculpted who worked on it up to his death and his family who has continued his work.

Then I did laundry…some things never change. We grilled and then back to lake Sylvsn for a hike. we leave at the crack of dawn tomorrow to drive 400 miles to Cody Wyoming. We hope to get to a rodeo and a staged gunfight. Off to bed …

Today we rented a car to drive around the Black Hills to places the RV couldn’t go. We drove on Needles Highway and saw amazing rock formations, which they call needles because of their shape. Tim and the kids did done climbing while I snapped pictures.

Took a walk at Sylvan Lake which was so serene.Lucy snapped some close up pictures of butterflies. We drove through Custer State Park which is known for it’s animals aka critters. Saw lots of buffalo and the begging burros. These burros are descendants of Burris used by settlers and hold miners in the old west. The people moved on and left the burros behind to make a home for themselves. Now they come right up to cars begging for food, it is hysterical.

Finished the day at Mount Rushmore to see the lighting ceremony but a storm kept that from happening. We are headed back there tomorrow. Now back in the RV listening to the heavy rain and thunder. I am SO GLAD we are not in a tent right now. Tomorrow will be sunny but about 15 degrees colder. Will start the day st Pappa’s pancake tent like we did today…breakfast of cowboys.