After a six hour drive north on I-25 (I am getting good with my N S E W directions) we arrived in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The drive was fairly uneventful, mostly open grassland with a few deer scattered here and there. Once we crossed the border from Wyoming into South Dakota the landscape changed dramatically to thick pine forests and lots of hills. We stopped off at Jewel Cave National Monument to see what this was like but as the tour into the cave required a drop of 700 steps I opted out, thinking that my escape route wasn't as clearly defined as I would like. If it had been a walk in walk out affair where I could see daylight all the time it wouldn't have been a problem. Caves are not really my thing, and as Craig has seen more than his fair share over the years he didn't mind missing out.
Off we headed from here directly to our campsite in Custer State Park, at the southern end of the Black Hills. A truly beautiful park, lush green pine forests, numerous lakes and streams and the most amazing guest lodges made of stones and logs. The campground we were staying in was full, fortunately we had booked ahead so our reserved campsite was there waiting for us. A very pretty setting by a stream with freshly mowed lawns, really not what we were expecting for just a park.
Custer Sate Park is well known for having the largest wild buffalo herd in the US. On Sunday we headed out the Wildlife Loop road, which goes around the entire park, to see some real wildlife (we discovered there were no bears in this park, thank goodness). We didn't have to drive far before we saw deer, mules and buffalo. We seemed to be the only ones stopping to look at the deer, we figured they must be like the kangaroos back home, no big deal. They were pretty exciting to us and as it was spring there were lots of young ones around. Same for the buffalo herds, obviously not a problem with the males fertility because it seemed that every cow had a calf at foot. They cull the herds once a year, having a big round up over a few days and then run an auction at stockyards in the park. The money raised goes straight back into the park.
One other thing we couldn't help noticing was that the US army was in the park on manoeuvres. Lots of people in camouflage gear, helicopters overhead most of the day and trucks everywhere. Nothing seemed to bother the animals, they were busy eating and sleeping. It took us the whole morning to do the drive and then we had lunch by one of the lakes and even took out a paddle boat for a spin. At one of the visitor centers we stopped in, the man behind the desk said to Craig "where did you get your Australian bush hat", of course the reply was "Australia". He was an old guy about 70 who had been to Australia and told us he has only ever met two kinds of Australians, those that have been to Disneyland, or those that are planning to go to Disneyland. We had to tell him that now he has met a third kind, those that have been and are planning to go again.
Unfortunately the rain moved in that night but we woke to a warm and sunny morning. Off to Mt Rushmore today, it was very warm by the time we left so we left the tent windows open. A nice drive over to Mt Rushmore we arrived to a crowd of people, but not an overwhelming crowd. The monument itself was advertised as free but it cost $8 to park the car. Even on the drive over we could see the presidents heads, it was quite amazing. Getting up close you realise just how big these sculptures are, it was very impressive. I was certainly impressed. We went for a walk around the base of the mountain and then walked through the museum and sculptors house where the process of creating the sculptures was well defined and displayed. After watching a short film we came outside to the last part of a rain storm, ah oh, the tent windows are open. Fortunately we had finished touring around here so we headed back to the campground via the Needles Highway, a very scenic road with lots of granite spires and small tunnels cut right through the rocks. Luck was on our side because it was still sunny when we returned but not for long, the rain storm had followed us so we closed everything up, collected our swimmers (or togs, depending where you are from) and towels and headed out to Hot Springs for a nice warm swim.
Wrong, after paying a $23 entry fee (for a swim, we couldn't believe it) the water was cold. Not even warm, it was cold. Kyle only lasted 30 minutes before he started turning blue and shivering so everyone out and back into warm clothes. It was still raining on the drive home so we headed into Custer to buy some dinner. Not a great deal of choice, so we ended up at the Pizza Hut. We sat down and started talking and the guy on the next table turned around and asked us where we were from (our accents must really be noticeable….). Anyway he was from Perth, married an American and is living and working in Minnesota. Very nice people, it was good to have a chat to someone who has been here awhile. Small world, he works for a division of GMAC.
Next morning it was still raining, but it did stop long enough for us to quickly pack up the wet tent and head out to our next destination, Mystery Mountain Resort. The name sounded good, the campsites were set amongst tall pines and it was an okay stopover, not as nice as Custer State Park though. I don't think I have mentioned it yet, but on this trip we have a TV in the car. Yes, in true American style (sorry to all of our American friends) a friend of Craig's at work lent us a small TV that runs off the cigarette lighter in the car. The kids watched videos on the trip up to South Dakota and when it was raining and we were trying to pack the car we put Amy and Kyle in the car, popped on a video and they were happy to sit there while we did the packing. True decadence. We are hoping to borrow it again for the trip to Michigan in August.
Anyway we are now situated more towards Rapid City, further into the Black Hills. We cooked lunch in the rain and decided what to do next. Lets go shopping in Keystone, a town between Mt Rushmore and Rapid City. As we headed out the weather seemed to be blowing over and there were patches of blue sky. Keystone is the town that basically supports Mt Rushmore with numerous motels, and even more souvenir shops. It basically consisted of a main street about 500 metres long with shops lining either side of the street. We walked around for a while, looking at the various ways people made money and couldn't believe that people could make a reasonable living.
By now the sun was blaring down on us so we headed back to the campsite for a swim (weather just like Melbourne). After dinner we decided that tonight would be a good night (clear skies and no rain) to go back to Mt Rushmore to see the lighting ceremony. We arrived at about 8.30, not sure what to expect. There were even more people than during the day. Everyone was seated in an amphitheatre facing the mountain. The music started playing and the stage doors opened. A park ranger began the ceremony and then a short film was shown, this time about the four men presented on the mountain, Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln. After the film the national anthem was playing and the powerful lights pointing up to the faces came on and that was it, everyone went home. I think we could have arrived at 9.30 just to see the mountain lit up.
Today we headed out for a drive to the Badlands. About a 1 1/2 hour drive east of Rapid City you come to the Badlands National Park, a 240,000 acre park consisting of these strange rock formations and grasslands that have taken shape over aeons. It was once a sea and as the water receded these formations were exposed and dried out, again over time. Apparently abundant with fossils we saw some fish and turtle fossils that were impressive. A loop road takes you through the park and you can stop at various points along the way to take in the views. At one point there is a section where you can climb the hills for better views. The kids were fascinated and enjoyed being able to climb everywhere.
On the drive out here we noticed a lot of billboards along the highway advertising a store in Wall called Wall Drug. The signs said things like "Free ice water", "5c cups of coffee", "Free coffee and doughnut to Vietnam Vets", "Wall Drug as told by the New York Times". There must have been one of these signs about every 500m. So like every other tourist we headed to Wall Drug to have a look. We probably spent about 2 hours just wondering around this store, it was just amazing. There was a chemist or drug store, a souvenir section, a camping section, a more up market souvenir section, toys, guns and knives, museum pieces, an ice-cream parlour, restaurant, and more. The backyard, as it was described contained puppet shows, dinosaurs, carriages, stuffed horses, and on and on it goes. Craig had a 5c cup of coffee and said he was ripped off. The kids and I enjoyed a doughnut. It wasn't like a department store, it was like a series of shops connected by hallways or alleys, and in the alleys the walls were covered by framed pictures of different historical events and people and the original drug store photos. I think this store and the concept has just grown and grown over the years and it really provides something for everyone.
The day had finally arrived and what a shame, I didn't feel any different. We all had a good nights sleep though so everyone was raring to go. After opening presents we had a quick breakfast so that we could hike around Devils Tower before it got too hot. It only took us till lunchtime to do the hike so we headed back to the tent for lunch and I even got a rest as Craig and the kids went for another walk. When they returned we decided to go across to the Olde Time photo shop, dress up as cowboys and have our photo taken (at least we will never forget my 40th). After having the photo done we headed straight to the pool for a much needed swim. Back an hour later to pick up the photo, and surprise surprise, it didn't work so would we like to do it again. Oh maybe, yes why not. It was fun the first time, but Kyle didn't think it was such a good idea. After a few attempts to get him changed he finally gave into some bribery and corruption and co-operated.
Back to the tent to open the bottle of Moet and to cook the birthday dinner, grilled chicken and pineapple with fresh corn on the cob. Very nice. Amy and Kyle were very disappointed that Craig had been unable to get either a Barbie or Batman cake out here (considering there is the campground shop, the photo shop and one other, we did well to remember to bring some pre-packaged custard/pudding style dessert from home). This was our last day of holidays, tomorrow it was the drive home and then that was the end of our vacation.
Just prior to leaving on vacation we had another cat adopt us. Unlike the first one a few weeks ago we were unable to find this ones owner. Thinking it might come from the same home and being the same breed we thought the people might take another one in. So, waiting for it to get dark Craig and I got in the car with the cat and drove him to the house at the bottom of our street where the other cat lived. In this night time manoeuvre we opened the door and pushed the cat out, and sure enough, he headed straight up the driveway like he knew the house, (the first cat we returned had the address on the collar and as the people were not home we left him there and he found his way into the garage).
Anyway we quickly got back home and kept our fingers crossed. Next morning when we took Craig to work no sign of the cat. Back home to feed the kids before taking Amy to pre-school and as we headed out, who was sitting on the doorstep but the same cat again. He was very determined that our house was his because we dropped him off about 1/2 mile away and he still managed to find us. Up to this point we hadn't fed him because we knew we were going away and didn't want him to settle in but now we felt sorry for him and started to feed him. After placing another call to the Humane Society we thought we had found the owner but no luck. We were leaving on holidays on the Saturday so Friday afternoon we took him over to the Humane Society and handed him in. I had to sign a form to declare that yes this wasn't really my cat. I'm sure they didn't believe me. He was a very friendly cat so I'm sure he would have found a good home.
And now we are dog sitting again. Labby the labrador is back staying for another week. He is good company and although he is a challenge when we go for a walk it is still a lot of fun.
A great way to start the new month there was a knock on the door at 9.30 at night. I answered it to find two rather large policeman standing there and before I even said hello they were in the door and inside our house. They told me they had received complaints of a domestic dispute and as they panned around the room the silence was deafening. They then asked me if I was home on my own to which I said I have two children asleep in bed and Craig is upstairs working on the PC. They then asked me some more questions and Craig appeared, they asked him some questions and then they asked if they could look around and go out into the backyard. It was a very hot night and I told them that our backdoor and windows are all open and I had heard nothing. They asked about our neighbours, and as we only know one of them we weren't very helpful. They seemed satisfied that it wasn't us and left. We then looked out the window to see 4 police cars parked outside, boy what were they going to do to us. They must have found out who it was because they were parked in our street till after 11pm when I went to bed. Talk about excitement in our street. No apologies for getting the wrong house either.
Today Miss Amy turned 5 and after opening presents she went off to pre-school for the day. In the afternoon I took a cake and goodies around to pre-school so that she could have a party there because we didn't get one RSVP from the invitations we sent out. Maybe it isn't the done thing to let people know that you cannot attend something, I'm not sure. Anyway she enjoyed her day and we went out for dinner that night.
On Saturday we had some friends coming for dinner and they all have children so she had another party anyway. It was probably the hottest day so far this summer, reaching 100F. It has now been in the nineties for the last few days and a cool sea breeze would be really welcome.
Sunday, being July 4, we were invited to the fireworks at our friends, Lorri and Kirt Schumann's house in the mountain town of Nederland. Much cooler in the mountains it was a great night sitting by a reservoir, eating chicken fried chicken and watching the fireworks. On the way home, about 11pm, there was so much traffic on the freeway near home that traffic was almost to a standstill. Maybe we have lived in Canberra too long but traffic at this time of night is unheard of at home.
Other little differences:
The road toll for last year was 41, 430.
California have just passed a bill that limits the number of guns a person can buy; you can only purchase one gun per month now.
37.4 million people were expected to drive 100 miles or more over the July 4 long weekend.
37,000 people are estimated to be injured by fireworks over the long weekend.
A new 400 million dollar football stadium is being built in Denver. It will increase seating capacity by 2 seats, yes that’s right a whole 2 seats. But you will get an extra 3 inches of leg room, the seat will be 1 inch wider and best of all every seat will have its own cup holder. See you at the football.