August 16, 2008Today I planned to see several of the highlights of South Dakota, including Mt. Rushmore and the Badlands. First I stopped at Jewel Cave which I had heard was a great cave tour. A lot of other people must have heard the same thing because the tours were sold out until late afternoon. I chose not to wait and went on to Mt Rushmore stopping for a quick look at the progress on the Crazyhorse monument. The RV restrictions prevented me from taking the scenic tunnel approach to Rushmore – I was one inch too wide – but I was no less impressed by my first look at the monument. Photos do not do it justice. I walked the trail that takes you closer to the faces and past the sculptor’s studio. One of the original carvers was at the ranger presentation showing the small tools used for the carving. In the afternoon, I continued on to the Badlands heading east on I-90 to scenic route 240 which goes through the National Park Loop. By evening I was headed back west on I-90 to a campground in Sturgis, the motorcycle capital of the US. I was a week late for "Bike Week" when the town is overwhelmed with motorcyclists.
