Saturday, July 23, 2011
Saturday Night
Friday, July 22, 2011
SD Wednesday July 13 Afternoon
Next was the Crazy Horse Memorial, a colossal project that will not be completed in my lifetime. The $10 admission goes to a nonprofit organization, and the remaining plans will need tons of money. Our first step was watching the orientation video and learning about the dream forged by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski and Lakota Chiefs. Family members continue to make slow progress; his wife and six of their ten children currently work on the monument and project. The museum has already gathered a massive collection of collections. Huge buildings and decks make up the complex and include studios, tools, home, crafters workshop, etc. Of course, we took one of the granite chunks offered from previous mountain blastings, and it now rests in the MN backyard landscaping.
Somewhere along the way we passed Harney Peak and finally reached Mount Rushmore close to 7:00pm, much later than we thought. Although the memorial is free, parking costs $11 for cars. A blinding sun about to set behind the carved images, Washington specifically, made photography iffy, so we watched the video in the amphitheater and learned more about sculptor Gutzon Borglum. By its end, the lighting was better outside and I took a few photos. I must say that after the immense Crazy Horse Mountain, the Presidents looked smaller by comparison. Crazy Horse is also idealized, a vision of imagination since no photo or drawing of him existed for reference. The four Presidents looked like, well, themselves. Tons of people were taking seats for the light show scheduled for 9:00, even though it was more than an hour away. We made a tough decision and left to have dinner in Hill City, but first a Corona from our cooler.
Our goal in Hill City was to have dinner at the Alpine Inn, and we were definitely hungry for the highly recommended German food. That place was so crowded, people spilling into the bar and out on the porch waiting for a table. After waiting for forty-five minutes with our name on the list, we got a lovely table next to a window. Since we had spent part of our wait in the bar studying the menu, we let our waitress know that we were ready to order right away. She said great and asked whether we would have the eight ounce or the six ounce. We said, “What?” She repeated the question about ounces. Again, we said, “What?” She said, “Filet. Six ounce or eight ounce. Alpine Inn has a set menu we have been serving for dinner for twenty-seven years: six or eight ounce filet, baked potato, Texas toast, and iceberg lettuce wedge with homemade ranch dressing.” We asked about the menu we saw in the bar. She said that menu was only for lunch, but they did have a dessert menu to use after dinner. We looked at each other and burst into laughter, big laughter. She looked confused and repeated the set menu for us again as if we hadn’t heard her the first time. We gave up (uncle, calf rope, etc.), ordered, enjoyed a great meal done right, and skipped dessert, although I think we were the only people in the restaurant who did. Leaving tomorrow morning meant doing some packing tonight.
Our goal in Hill City was to have dinner at the Alpine Inn, and we were definitely hungry for the highly recommended German food. That place was so crowded, people spilling into the bar and out on the porch waiting for a table. After waiting for forty-five minutes with our name on the list, we got a lovely table next to a window. Since we had spent part of our wait in the bar studying the menu, we let our waitress know that we were ready to order right away. She said great and asked whether we would have the eight ounce or the six ounce. We said, “What?” She repeated the question about ounces. Again, we said, “What?” She said, “Filet. Six ounce or eight ounce. Alpine Inn has a set menu we have been serving for dinner for twenty-seven years: six or eight ounce filet, baked potato, Texas toast, and iceberg lettuce wedge with homemade ranch dressing.” We asked about the menu we saw in the bar. She said that menu was only for lunch, but they did have a dessert menu to use after dinner. We looked at each other and burst into laughter, big laughter. She looked confused and repeated the set menu for us again as if we hadn’t heard her the first time. We gave up (uncle, calf rope, etc.), ordered, enjoyed a great meal done right, and skipped dessert, although I think we were the only people in the restaurant who did. Leaving tomorrow morning meant doing some packing tonight.
SD Wednesday July 13 Morning
Waking up to another morning of rain with low visibility, we decided to remain in Rapid City until the Journey Museum opened at 9:00. We were the first ones inside, but a tour bus soon followed us. Great orientation video in the auditorium gave us perspective for the museum and its exhibits. Buzzing through the timelines, we paused for whatever interested us most and observed many kid stations for hands-on interaction. Very popular museum for all ages! Trinkets and treasures in the gift shop grabbed our attention but not our money.
Rain stopped but thickly overcast skies lingered. We drove toward Custer State Park hoping to find wildlife willing to be wet. On Iron Mountain Scenic Drive, we took most pullouts, especially those with Mount Rushmore in the distance. After one tunnel, I looked back and took a stunning photo of Rushmore visible through the tunnel; later I saw a postcard having that identical view, so my shot was not all that original.
At the park entrance and other spots, signs warned that buffaloes are extremely dangerous, so we kept that in mind. Wildlife Loop Road through the park lived up to its name. Bison were near and far and crossed our road at several spots. Our total sightings numbered over 300, some very close to our car, even within touch range, but we didn't. My camera stayed busy. A few not-so-wild donkeys approached our car expecting, actually demanding, snacks. I rolled down my window to take photos, and while looking through the camera, failed to realize how close one had come. I hurriedly started rolling it shut, almost catching the donkey's lip. Close call for both of us! The rest of the trip I had a streak of his saliva on the window to remind me. We stopped at a prairie dog village and watched those pesky rodents entertain travelers who left their cars to throw peanuts, sunflower seeds, etc.
Rain stopped but thickly overcast skies lingered. We drove toward Custer State Park hoping to find wildlife willing to be wet. On Iron Mountain Scenic Drive, we took most pullouts, especially those with Mount Rushmore in the distance. After one tunnel, I looked back and took a stunning photo of Rushmore visible through the tunnel; later I saw a postcard having that identical view, so my shot was not all that original.
At the park entrance and other spots, signs warned that buffaloes are extremely dangerous, so we kept that in mind. Wildlife Loop Road through the park lived up to its name. Bison were near and far and crossed our road at several spots. Our total sightings numbered over 300, some very close to our car, even within touch range, but we didn't. My camera stayed busy. A few not-so-wild donkeys approached our car expecting, actually demanding, snacks. I rolled down my window to take photos, and while looking through the camera, failed to realize how close one had come. I hurriedly started rolling it shut, almost catching the donkey's lip. Close call for both of us! The rest of the trip I had a streak of his saliva on the window to remind me. We stopped at a prairie dog village and watched those pesky rodents entertain travelers who left their cars to throw peanuts, sunflower seeds, etc.
In one of my brochures, I noticed a feature named Badger Hole, home of Charles Badger Clark, South Dakota's First Poet Laureate. Screech! Turn right on the next gravel road. There stood the cabin he built for himself near a lake, no running water, no electricity, ever. Stepping inside, I felt like one of his many visitors and almost smelled the flapjacks he passed to deer through his kitchen window. Books in place, typewriter on table, boots lined up along a bedroom wall, photos everywhere, the man's spirit and craft permeated the entire structure. Maybe he was just away enjoying a walk around the lake. As we drove on, I kept thinking of Virginia Woolf's contention that every woman needs "a room of one's own."
Our journey continued up the Needles Highway, through more tunnels (not my imagination that they kept getting narrower), past Cathedral Spires, Needle's Eye, and Little Devil's Tower. We pulled out at most opportunities, sometimes hiked, sometimes took photos. At Sylvan Lake we saw huge rock counterparts to Neal's jumping rock at the main swimming hole. Swimmers of all ages respected the sign forbidding jumping and diving and braved what we determined to be very cold water. A walking path circled the lake, popular with us and other tourists. We stopped at the store for a couple of souvenir items and spied a drink cooler with beer, especially Corona. Without much hesitation, we bought a six-pack to have on hand in case of a thirst emergency, one now guaranteed to happen.
Our journey continued up the Needles Highway, through more tunnels (not my imagination that they kept getting narrower), past Cathedral Spires, Needle's Eye, and Little Devil's Tower. We pulled out at most opportunities, sometimes hiked, sometimes took photos. At Sylvan Lake we saw huge rock counterparts to Neal's jumping rock at the main swimming hole. Swimmers of all ages respected the sign forbidding jumping and diving and braved what we determined to be very cold water. A walking path circled the lake, popular with us and other tourists. We stopped at the store for a couple of souvenir items and spied a drink cooler with beer, especially Corona. Without much hesitation, we bought a six-pack to have on hand in case of a thirst emergency, one now guaranteed to happen.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Back in the Routine
Exercise class this morning was just what I needed after the two-week break away from Concan. Good to lift those weights and stretch those muscles. Although we walked often during our trip, not much was cardio. After my regularly scheduled massage this afternoon, I'll be good as new, or at least newer.
Last night's fajita dinner with friends helped me to catch up with all the neighborhood happenings. Hottest, and wettest, topic was the afternoon rain, showers that put 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches in our gauges. Other hot, and sad, topic was the news that the V&F W plan to "test the market" by putting their house up for sale. They are not committed to leaving, they purport, but time will tell.
(I know my travel log lacks a few days, so I'm working my notes up the priority list.)
Sent from my iPhone
Last night's fajita dinner with friends helped me to catch up with all the neighborhood happenings. Hottest, and wettest, topic was the afternoon rain, showers that put 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches in our gauges. Other hot, and sad, topic was the news that the V&F W plan to "test the market" by putting their house up for sale. They are not committed to leaving, they purport, but time will tell.
(I know my travel log lacks a few days, so I'm working my notes up the priority list.)
Sent from my iPhone
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