Friday, May 13, 2011

Our week in South Dakota

Tomorrow morning we leave the Black Hills. It's been a busy, interesting five days. Sometimes we travel with a group because we need the knowledge of a guide. This Road Scholar tour was just what we were looking for.






Here's what we saw: Tatanka, Deadwood, the Homestake Gold Mine, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse mountain carving, Mount Rushmore (including the lowering of the colors at dusk, which Art helped with because he's a vet), the Badlands, and Wall Drug. Through the places we visited and the guide's talks, I've gotten a better understanding of the relationship between the Native Americans and the pioneers, and it's not pretty.

The scenery was beautiful, the company reasonably good - though we didn't make any friends on this trip we'll keep in touch with, which usually happens.

It will take us three days to get home. Tomorrow night we'll be in Billings, Montana and Sunday we'll stay in Post Falls, Idaho. I'm ready! My SI joint protested today when I sat down for breakfast, and we had to forego a steam train ride to visit a chiropractor in Rapid City. I'm better now, but not up to commenting much about this week. I hope the pictures and the brief summary are sufficient.


13 comments:

Muffy's Marks said...

beautiful shot of Rushmore!! Glad things are going OK. Safe trip home.

moni said...

I enjoyed your photos. I have never been to South Dakota, so it is all fairly new for me.

DJan said...

I hope you have an uneventful trip home where you can rest that back. I also have trouble sometimes with my SI joint and think I've figured out a couple of triggers. Sitting for a long time doesn't help at all...

Linda Hoye said...

I remember a trip to the Black Hills when I was a child. There is so much to see and do! Enjoy your trip home. Loved the photos!

Out on the prairie said...

I thought the one photo looked like the Needles area in Custer.It is nice that you got a taste of the area I explore.

Arkansas Patti said...

Loved the pictures of a place that is in my bucket list. Had to laugh at the picture of Art with the plaster hottie.
So sorry a chiropractor visit was necessary. Have a safe trip home.

Sally Wessely said...

Your photos reaffirmed that we need to make this trip. I'm glad you've enjoyed the trip and learned new things. Also, I'm glad you took time out of the trip to see a chiropractor, although I am sorry you had to do so, because it is better to deal with such pain than to just suffer through.

I hope the trip home is pain free and safe.

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

I enjoyed your photos, and I hope you get home comfortably.

marciamayo said...

more than sufficient. take care.

Deb Shucka said...

We loved South Dakota, especially Custer State Park. I can empathize with your SI joint pain, and hope it heals quickly once you're home. Traveling mercies. Take care.

Jennifer said...

Great photos, Linda! Looking forward to coming home! See you soon.

Jenn Flynn-Shon said...

Completely sufficient! Its been fun to "travel" with you both on this journey and I hope that your back troubles are all smoothed out now so you can enjoy the last couple days on the road. Which are probably over by now but admitedly I'm just getting out to read blogs for the first time in a week due to flu. Anyway, thanks for sharing photos & stories!

Grandmother Mary said...

I appreciate the intro to Roads Scholar. Some great options. I've been blogless for a couple of weeks so this was good to get back to.