Deadwood- Rushmore-Badlands

Hi,

Didn't have a chance to post yesterday. 

We stayed in Deadwood Saturday night. Didn't know the bikers would be still be there. The place was full. It was actually fun.  The place looks nothing like what we remember. It has turned into a gaming town and the old looking building are now wearing a new face. I suppose things change but we remembered it as a quiet place. And maybe it would have been had we arrived a week later.

Sunday I woke up with sinus problems and a full blown storm.  We managed to make it to Keystone to hang out awhile then drive to Mt Rushmore.  We entered the park early afternoon. The park ranger said if we left to make sure to return at 8:30 for the light show. We took some pictures and left. Drove the back roads and more pictures. We returned in time for the light show but it was really a movie. A park ranger talked to us before the show and gave a brief history of the monument she also explained the meaning of the pledge of allegiance. She than sang beautifully the Star Spangled Banner . We watched a show about each president  and why they were picked to be put on the mountain. This was an outside show. After the movie they asked all the veterans  and active service men and women to come down to the stage. 4 of them took down the flag and folded it. The forest ranger asked each of them to touch the flag and give their name and field of service. It was a very touching evening. We walked away with a sense of pride.    

Today we drove to the Badlands. Took some pictures. Very beautiful place. We had been there before same as Mt Rushmore and both had changed very much. We are now in Pierre SD for an early night. Gary went to the car wash and I have been in the room to catch up on my blog. It is now 7 pm and we are going to crash early. 

Tomorrow Gary has an appointment at 10:00 to have the oil changed and then we are heading East. Not sure where our next stop is. 

Karen