Custer, SD to Rapid City, SD. Monuments and more Monuments!

August 23, 2013

Near French Creek RV Park and Campground, Custer, SD

Jewel Cave National Monument

http://www.nps.gov/jeca/

 Underground in Jewel Cave

 At the lowest point of the Jewel Cave Tour.  384ft underground, or 38 stories!

 A constant 40-degrees underground.

 Crazy Horse Monument

http://crazyhorsememorial.org‎

 Buda. Used in the early years of the "carving" (drilling holes for dynamite).

 "Nature Gate"

 Scenery!

 On the way from Crazy Horse Monument, to Mt. Rushmore National Monument.

 The "backside" of Mt. Rushmore

Mt. Rushmore National Monument

http://www.nps.gov/moru/

This was as close as Allie and Irie were allowed to get to Mt. Rushmore. No pets.  :(
(Notice Mt. Rushmore in background).

Mt Rushmore in background at the skyline.



Wildlife on Mt. Rushmore Grounds

Mountain Goats leisurely cut the grass. 

 Mt. Rushmore Lighting Ceremony

 The Sun is going down...

 Darker...

 Lights light up the Monument...

Darker still...

Dark!

Honoring our Veterans and Lowering the Flag. 

Evening accommodations

We ended up spending the night at    Pilot Travel Center (I-90 Exit 55) 2783 Deadwood Avenue., Rapid City, SD 57702

It was hot.  It was sticky.  It was noisy.  It was icky.  Yuck!