Howard Johnson Inn & Suites - Rapid City

... State Park has campgrounds, cabins and a lodge, all of which require reservations during the summer season. And, we've learned that the most scenic portions of the byway close after the first snow fall - so plan accordingly!!

Here's a link to the Norbeck Byway http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/24 59/

We have been here in Rapid City for a week now and have had a series of unseasonably cold, wet and windy days. We've ventured out to the Buffalo roundup, a day trip to Deadwood/Sturgis and the local pumpkin festival. But, we have spent more time at home riding out the storms and the wind than we have away from the coach.

The ...

... the difference in the pictures since this friend was actually a part of the round up.

We've also included a link to the state park and this annual event. It is definately something everyone should plan on attending at least once - it is truly a unique experience.

http://www.sdgfp.inf o/Parks/Regions/Custer/round.htm

... a few mins. everyone was asleep I was still driving in my sleep. We were up and eating breakfast by 8am, (well we left Debbie sleeping) and we were in the water park by 8.30am, By 8.35 I thought I was going to lose my breakfast after going down a really crazy toilet bowl style water ride. As soon as Debbie was up we headed out. First stop was Bear Country, an amazing drive through safari, with elk, bison, wolves, and amazing bears ...

... a week just looking at all the museum exhibits.

I was very impressed....even more so because it has all been done with funds donated and/or by the entrance fees, etc. no government money of any kind. They adamantly want to keep it independent, although, the work could probably progress faster with more funding. Also, at night during the summer months, they put on a ...

... highway, everything in town has the word Rushmore in it. (Rushmore Ford or Rushmore Toyota anyone? Gives me a funny feeling in my stomach, I don't like tourist-trap stuff. I don't want to be a party pooper and say that I was in Rapid City and didn't bother to see Rushmore?! It's about 25 miles from town and when we arrived there, I could see the sculpture and then I went on to the entrance gate with my National Parks Pass and of course, it doesn't work ...

... forward to it. I am not, however, looking forward to all that driving. I'll go now and put up a few pictures from today. I didn't take many today, and some of those from the cave tour didn't come out very well, but hey, just that many less for you to have to look at, right? Once again, thank you for keeping up with these little stories and thank you for your comments here and in the private emails you send to us. We love love love hearing from YOU. G'nite all, Quinn

... What a let down. A bunch of separate shops that sell one thing you might want then would have to pay for that, go to the next place and so on. I decided to wait and find a Target. The other billboard king was the corn palace which was about what I expected, but nothing great. They use corn husks, cobs, and so on to decorate the inside and outside of a building and change it every year. Good for a break, but it was a quick one. I went back to the park and saw ...