Fairfield Inn & Stes At Watiki Indoor Waterpark Rapid City

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 ...

<br>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' &#8211; 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 ...

Trip 1 &#8211; Rapid City, SD<br><br>June 26, 2009<br><br>We leave our campground around 9:30 a.m. under overcast skies and wind. Our wildlife for the morning was seeing a squirrel across the road. <br><br>We are headed to Rapid City, SD today. Still rolling green hills and farms along the highway as we head east. Stop at a rest area for our breakfast and then continue on now with light rain. We will stop at Devil's Tower if it is not raining. <br><br>As we get ...

We left base camp early this morning driving through the rolling black hills which rose like an island in a sea of grassland. <br> <br>Mt. Rushmore was soaring portraits in stone of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Rossevelt and Abram Lincolm. They were chosen for their contribution for preserving Constitution and promoting growth of America. Mt ...

... through mount rushmore was a narrow windy road through the Black Hills National Forest with really nice views. It was pretty slow going. When we finally got to Custer State Park, we paid our $10 entry fee and immediately saw 2 burros at the entrance to the park (promising, right?). I was still hoping to see the Rocky Mountain Goat, at least. Driving along the Wildlife Loop Road (which the brochure promised contained wildlife ...

... Cultural Difference: Actually slowed the car for two cowboys, six sheep dogs and about 200 head of sheep to travel down the road. Favorite Experience: The scenic drives through the Black Hills...the tunnels are great fun. Least Favorite Experience: Not that the Crazy Horse Monument isn't great to ...

... is the still in progress Crazy Horse memorial. This place really choked me up. The story and dedication of the sculptor and his family is moving. The memorial is a far cry from being complete as they work through donations only and will not except federal or state funds. The Indians wanted a monument so that the "White people would know that the Red people have great hero's too". I will ...

... of course). Back at the camp we had a swim and met an elderly couple from North California who had just been to Minnesota to collect a small caravan. They had previously been tent campers but now felt that was too much. We went round for a drink with them before going out to a pizza place - they were Republicans but we got on ok. They were very concerned about immigration and health care - both are big topics here - there is an ...

... and blasted into the granite. It was pretty awesome seeing the other black hills throughout the day and knowing how much work was done to make this happen. In front of the presidents you can still see the stones that were blasted away. There is also a amphitheater with music. Journal: Yesterday we left Lori's and was at the rest stop and dad lost and found his wallet on I-35. We went threw the badlands and saw mount Rushmore.

I got an early start heading south on 83 then west on I-90. I made a short stop at the Murdo rest area and crossed into mountain time a little bit further down the road. When I reached Kadoka I stopped at the Petrified Gardens, looked around and had a Dr. Pepper. Years later during my trips to California I would often go rockhounding with my cousins husband whose favorite discovery was petrified wood. Doing a goggle search ...