Black Hills of South Dakota

A very long day yesterday. We started out around 8:30 am, having decided to go as far as Rapid City, SD if we could. However, we didn't want to miss Little Bighorn National Monument. We arrived to find that the park was open, though there were intermittant power failures and the road through the monument was only open for the first mile. Both Maggie and I had been looking forward to this, though perhaps looking forward is not the best term for visiting a site that has such sad connotations, especially for Native Americans. We were pleased to see that the staff is mostly Native American and that there is a memorial to the many brave Natives who fought for their land. The memorial is especially beautiful and reaches out to the memories of the soldiers through the Spirit Gate that looks toward the obelisk commemorating the soldiers.

Memorial to Native Americans, Little Bighorn

From there we pressed on through snowstorms along I-90 through Montana and into Wyoming. The weather was cold, though just below freezing and the visibility was often poor. However, the road itself was in good shape. We made a brief stop in Sturgis, where up to 700,000 motorcyclists converge each summer. It's hard to believe that such a small, quaint town (with many beautiful older houses and buildings) can host so many. We looked forward to arriving in Rapid City before dark, but were caught in a traffic jam on the freeway in a section under construction. A truck had broken down and was blocking traffic. we were stuck there for more than an hour. Why the highway patrol didn't simply alternate traffic, I don't know.

Model of Crazy Horse Memorial with mountain behind

We awoke this morning to thinning clouds and warmer temperatures after a night of heavy rain, sleet and snow. Looking at the weather forecast, we decided to visit Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial. As we approached Mt. Rushmore through the Black Hills, which are very jagged and rise almost straight up into the sky, the clouds began to disperse and we could see the figures of the presidents. We got a good look and then the clouds drifted in again. We spent the remainder of our time viewing the film of the creation of the monument and visiting the exhibits. The monument is very impressive, but we were simply blown away by the size and vision of the Crazy Horse Memorial which we visited next. It seems only right that in these hills, sacred to the Lakota, there should be a monument to Native American leaders. The dedication of Korczak Ziolkowski, his wife Ruth and his children in 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.

Mt. Rushmore

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.

Stop in Sturgis

Teepee at Crazy Horse Memorial