Rapid City Wrap-Up

After what was a looong day, we went to the Flintstones Bedrock City in Custer, SD (http://www.flintstonesbedrockcity.com/). Yes, a bit cheesy, but the kids had been in the car a lot of time now and needed an outlet. This was a great opportunity.

We had packed enough things so we did not need a tent and sleeping bags on top of that, so we rented a small cabin that slept 5 perfectly. We were able to have a small campfire and just relax. Needless to say, we did not go back to Rushmore for the fireworks, but there will be time for that in the future.

we weren't up to late - next stop....Devil's Tower National Monument in NW Wyoming (http://www.nps.gov/deto/). But the entire day will take us into Montana as well as we get closer to our ultimate destination - Yellowstone National Park (http://www.nps.gov/yell/).

Crazyhorse Memorial

The Crazyhorse Memorial will be taller than the Washington Monument. The four faces of Mount Rushmore could fit on the head of Crazyhorse when it is done. The statue is absolutely enormous. It was the vision of a single man that brought the mountain carving as far as it has. To get the real perspective, I recommend you get the movie about the man and dreams behind the carving:

http://www.shop.khonline.biz/product.sc?categoryId=20&productId=261

In one of these pictures, a model stands outside the visitor center at the foot of the mountain (with the real one in the background). It has taken over 50 years to get as far as it has. Although the progress is accelerating, it is still a long way from completion. I heard the phrase "your children's children will see it completed". Now that is commitment!