6-28 Badlands & Mt. Rushmore

Since we stayed on the Mississippi on Saturday night, we had to stay on the Missouri River on Sunday night. I was able to take a run along the Missouri River Monday morning before we headed out. Neat run.Headed to the Badlands National Park. We drove along the Badlands Loop Road. Absolutely awesome! The word awesome gets used way too much anymore. Kind of takes the "awesomeness" away. It is truly spectacular. Got out and walked around a little bit. Not too long and not too far. It was scorching hot and the rattlesnake signs made us a little nervous.




After leaving the Badlands, we stopped at Wall, SD. Lots of people said we needed to stop. We stopped, we saw, we don't feel the need to stop again. Reminded us of Mackinaw Island, except trade the fudge for a Wall Drug 5 cent cup of coffee.

Set sails for our hotel in Rapid City, SD. After a fiasco with our room, we headed out to the Iron Mountain Highway that takes you around Mt. Rushmore. A beautiful and fun drive. There were four "skinny" tunnels, and three "pigtail" bridge switchbacks. At one point we were at 7,000 feet elevation. Saw Mt. Rushmore from 5 miles away and then went to the memorial. Amazing when you think what went into carving the monument and building the roads to get there.

Tomorrow - Sturgis and Deadwood. Peace out...