from the UP to Montana Pt 2

We left Pine Ridge and headed north to Badlands National Park. The drive up was beautiful. We took a back road, that ended up being a dirt road, in the middle of nowhere southern South Dakota. I mean nothing but rolling hills of sweetgrass, sage, and a farm here and there. for about 60 miles. South Dakota is breathtaking. I am still shocked by this revelation. South Dakota, who knew?

We got into the Badlands for free because the south entrance to the Badlands was unattended. Apparently we came in the secret back way?

The Badlands are strange formations of clay and rock that have been eroded by wind and water. The rocks crumble in your hand. It's a very interesting texture. I also had a chance to snap a photo of a Mule Deer hanging out in the crevice between two peaks.

We left the Badlands for Rapid City where we would stay for the night. On the way to Rapid City we got caught in a major thunderstorm. The clouds looked like mountains, layered and layered. 70 mile an hour winds and lightening in the distance. The best storm so far this year.

When we arrived in Rapid City, the storm had passed. The hotel we had planned to stay at was full. Who would have thought a Friday night just outside of Mount Rushmore would cause this? We found out that there was only one place in town that accepted dogs and still had rooms. $150 later, we had a room for the night.

Mount Rushmore 6/25/11

Mount Rushmore was a trip. A strange trip. Here's this giant mountain, that was a sacred place of the native Sioux, that was stolen from the Sioux, and taken as a project to promote tourism by an active KKK member (at the time)? Then you walk in and there's a sign outside the gift shop advertising "native american crafts"? It's surreal. When Sarah and I discovered inside the gift shop that the little statue replicas were made in China, we laughed. Mount Rushmore is kinda cool, overall. It's dramatic, and in a beautiful setting in the black hills.

We moved on to the Crazy Horse Monument. Crazy Horse is pretty cool. The visitor center was basically a Native American museum, with the majority of its items donated. The monument is supported independently through donations and entrance fees. The Sioux will not take federal money to support the creation of the monument (although they have been offered it).

to be continued....I'm tired, it's 11:00 pm here, 2:00 am est.