Tuesday, July 3, 2012 (Day 27)
Pat, Bob, and Tom's Home, Rapid City, SD
Miles: 47 MPH: 12 Max: 38 Total: 1546
Wow!! A spectacular day! An early start got us to the Crazy Horse memorial before most were out of bed. As we biked the hill to the sculpture, I asked Jack if he had any idea who Crazy Horse was? haha! Why were we climbing this hill! At the entrance gate, we were told admission was 1/2 price for making it up the hill!! After sitting through the orientation film, we were in awe of the tremendous task that this sculpture represents. Although I'm not big on museums, this one was pristine and huge pride was displayed by all working there. We loved it.
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| I could sleep in here! |
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| Crazy Horse Mountain Sculpture |
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| On the way to Mount Rushmore - spectacular! |
We then set off on Hwy 244 to Mt. Rushmore. The ride was spectacular through the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota! I'm not sure why they call these the "Black Hills" -- they should be called MOUNTAINS!! We had some of our steepest climbs and downhills of our trip -- signs indicated 10% grades!! The hills are covered with thick pine and spruce tree giving a dark appearance. Huge rock formations filled the roadside -- just awesome! Approaching Mt. Rushmore, there were huge traffic back-up as cars waited to pay the entrance fee. A young girl in a golf cart rolled over to us and said, "Bikes are free and don't need to wait in line!" We got to go ahead of all the cars!!! Had coffee with President's Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln--could hardly believe we were here! This sculpture in the mountain -- what a spectacular achievement!
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| We biked here! |
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| Wow!! |
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| With our new friend, Tom at Dinosaur Park, Rapid City! |
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| New Friends! |
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| The smoke from the wild fires continue to make for amazing night skies! |
Onto Rapid City.....A huge town -- for the West!! We found a Safeway Supermarket and stocked up on groceries. While in line to check out, a young, very cute boy (about 20 years old) came to talk to us about our trip. He also had toured on his bicycle. He invited us to take a shower, do laundry, crash, and get a cold drink at his home. I asked Jack if we were still sleeping and if this was a dream? We followed him home, and his Mom made us a feast!! We ate salmon, rice, corn on the cob, green beans and fruit for desert with new friends Tom, Pat, and Bob!! Tom took us to a bike shop to get some adjustments done on our bikes and gave us the grand tour of Rapid City. We had a great night's sleep in our new friend's living room!! We LOVE South Dakota!!
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