July 19, 2011 - Black Hills

(Click on a thumbnail to see a larger version)

Tuesday, July 19

began in Rapid City. Visited various place in the Black Hills. Returned to Rapid City
Weather:
  Lows: Rapid City: 75 
  Highs: Rapid City: 99; Mount Rushmore: 95; Pactola Dam: 91; Custer: 82
Hikes/Walks: 4.0 miles
1.2 miles: Pactola Reservoir
0.5 miles: Thunderbird Mountain
1.1 miles: Mount Rushmore
1.2 miles: in Rapid City

Today, we focused on other areas of the Black Hills. On the drive out, as some foreshadowing of visiting Mount Rushmore later, we saw one tribute to three more recent presidents near Hermosa, SD.

Then off to the Black Hills. As we wound through the Black Hills on US-16A, we saw our first glimpse of Mount Rushmore a couple of miles to our northwest.

But before lunch, we went farther north to visit Pactola Reservoir.

We ate in Hill City, then went down to see Thunderbird Mountain, where they are shaping the mountain to be a memorial to Crazy Horse. The last photo shows the mountain and what the final plan/design is.

Then off to Mount Rushmore.