Econo Lodge Rapid City

... rival down the road. I would tell you all about it but I think you'd benefit more from looking it up yourself.<br><br><br><br>Thought of the Day<br><br>Is free wireless ever really free?<br><br>For reference<br><br>I paid $80 to be seen by a doctor<br>Due to impaired hearing, I thought he said 'rear' when he asked to look in my 'ear'<br>I have been asked not to go back to that particular medical centre

... 8 motel, which turned out to be a pleasant surprise, as for the same price as we've been paying in the last 4 hotels we've got a separate room for the kids (with tv), the usual free wi-fi &amp; breakfast and a indoor heated swimming pool &#8211; which Fred &amp; the kids are planning to use shortly. Pizza Hut delivered our dinner, which was far more than we could eat, but still yummy. Off to catch up on our two huge loads of laundry, while I sip my A&amp;W Root Beer.....<br>

... I'll be looking for a dealer in 2K). Good spot to patronize.<br> <br>FInished up in time to visit Mt Rushmore and ride a bit thru the Black Hills. Stopped in Hill City and followed the gunshots after dinner to a little outdoor theatre presentation. Alpine Inn is apparently the place to chow down there - I couldn't get in, but the steaks are highly recommended by a fellow Vision riding couple I met at Rice.

... and Papa went on a planned bike ride on the Mickelson Trail. There was spectacular scenery, rushing streams, meadows, pine forests and wildlife. Although it felt like we were in the boondocks we were never far from town. This trail is on old railroad beds and runs approximately 109 miles. We rode approximately an 8-10 mile section. <br><br>no photos today.<br><br>

... I'd visit South Dakota ....EVER). I had also read that there were Rocky Mountain Goats roaming around Mt. Rushmore (it was even in the park brochure!) but I didn't see any. It was around 4pm when we left Mount Rushmore, a ways down the road, we saw a sign to Custer State Park. I had read that there was a lot of wildlife in Custer State Park so Bob and I decided to drive to the park to see if we could spot any. The road to the ...

... 9:00 each nite they have a lighting ceremony on the mountain and also show a video about the construction of the monuement on a huge outdoor screen. It is impressive. Gilles got these good shots of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln. Next - on to the Badlands of South Dakota.....

... sun for a while before heading out down to Custer along the pigtail-bridged Iron Mountain Road back through Custer State Park. We didn't take the Scenic Loop and only saw a young donkey and its mum but the scenery was beautiful. At Custer we found a small museum in the old court-house which was excellent value at $3 each. After the visit we walked up the road to a sundae and pies shop where MJ had the most fantastic cherry pie (which he ...

... we do but its getting late after wasting one and a half hours that day. Next up is the hotel that has a bed that literally comes out of the closet. I had seen on TV but this really impressed me at the time. The hotel was a historic hotel and was just stunning. After dark circa 6-7? We finally made it to Mount Rushmore mountain of the presidents. We read all the history about how it is made the man (no idea who) who ...

... out into the Black Hills. Here I did fill up with gas $1.26/galloon as opposed to $1.37/galloon in Kadoka.<br> After checking out downtown Rapid City I went out into the country again and stopped for the night off 16 near Keystone. The Badlands is one of the areas I would like to get back to and see more of sometime.<br> Picture #4 now available from my redbubble portfolio http://www.redbubble.com/people/greenva nartusa