Rapid City KOA Kampground

Having somehow survived the past couple of nights, despite my debilitating disease, I decided to choose life and see a doctor. Very nice chap he was too. He confirmed my fears when he told me that I had indeed picked up a little known virus more commonly associated with lost cities of gold and temples of doom. For the benefit of the nurse in the room, he used layman's terms and called it an ear ...

Overcast and cloudy this morning looking out our window into the carpark of the hotel. Free Hotel breakfast was standard American buffet with the added interest of 'make your own waffles' – of course 3 of us had to try them (Kate wasn't keen). Hitting the road at 9am we hit a country road where we were the only vehicle for miles and miles. Stopping to use a restroom at a Wyoming gas station, Josh had fun counting out his allet full of pennies for a Hershey bar ...

... the nuclear treaty they have disassembled them but you cannot tell me that they have. We all know the military has to have some secret weapons up their sleeve ! It was pretty fascinating though and to see all the planes. It was a surprise how great it was and how much we learned ! The missiles are over 60 ft tall but sit in the ground. Also it is 60 degrees F. down there and over 90 degrees on top ! From there we drove out to this ...

... approached too close to their home, they would bark at you just like their namesake.


Upon arriving at Devil's Tower we ate our picnic lunch and started the hike around the base of the Tower.


Jonathan spent most of his time climbing up the rocks and papa ...

... response to the request from Native Americans is astounding. The work was begun in 1948 and is still ongoing. The venture is entirely private and funded through a foundation. Seven of Korczak and Ruth's children are involved in the enterprise which will eventually include a university for Native Americans. A fine museum already exists. Tomorrow, we have a treat in store. We are going to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving with a turkey and pumpkin pie! It is a holiday here too - Columbus Day.

... but representing Crazy Horse. This is a work in progress - it has been going for a little over 50 years - and all they have finished is the face. The sculptor who was commissioned by the Indian tribes to do the work, has of course, subsequently died, but he had 10 kids and 7 of them are continuing with the project under the directorship of the wife. The memorial, when complete, will be the length of a football field and 9 stories tall - virtually ...

Started from home in Urbandale, IA. Target Black Hills, SD. We made stop in 1880 Town. Overnight in Wall.
Tomorrow reached Rapid City where we made "base camp".
For next 5 days we visited Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer City, Deadwood, Ho Spring, Tatanka Museum, Devils Tower, WY.

On our way back home we visited Sioux city.

Vi er nu kørt lidt længere west på og det kan godt mærkes.... de der cowboys er mægtig høflige og tiltager fruen i familien "Hello Maaamm. How're you today" og begge mænd i familien bliver tiltalt "Mister". Det bekommer os nu egentlig vældig fint . Vi boede i den lille hyggelige cowboy-by Custer lige uden for Custer State Park, hvor vi tilbragte 2 dage. Denne park er virkelig super med ...

... blankets on their (towed) cars, we cowered under some pine trees. It was the biggest hail either of us had ever seen, whilst at the same time it was still reasonably warm. After a while it stopped and we had an ok meal of buffalo burger and chicken in the restaurant. An excellent firm bed, mountain air, a-near-death experience and MJ was out like a light at 9.30pm. It's great to be back in the mountains and to experience some new scenery.