Day 10

Monday, 16th June

Indians, buffalo and granite faces

There was a storm at 7:00am! And when I went outside, there was SNOW on the ground! We didn't go out until late in the morning, so this gave us chance to look around the cabin properly. It was very nice - and, outside, deer came down from the trees to the creek!

Our first stop was to the Crazy Horse Monument. Hmm. $27 they charged to enter. The monument (in the distance) was interesting, although it will NEVER be finished! There were a bunch of expensive shops (where we did buy a few things - like a pot and a couple of necklaces - and Paul bought his dad a T-shirt for Father's Day) and we were entertained by a group of Lakota (Sioux) indians. There was also free coffee and, for a small contribution, you could help yourself to one of the slabs of granite they'd chiselled off, while carving out Crazy's nose etc. But it was all a bit too touristy for me.

Next, we drove through Custer State Park, firstly going down to Hot Springs for late lunch in Dairy Queen, before returning to the Park and the Wildlife Loop. It was great! Buffalo all over the place - herds of them! And lots of deer and elk, as well as burros and marmots. What I found the most appealing though, were the prairie dogs, which popped up out of there holes all over the place; so cute! I vowed to get one (even if only a stuffed one!).

A fun afternoon!

It was now late in the day (about 7:00pm) and we wanted to try to see Mt Rushmore before it got too dark. We made it - just! The drive was up a whirly road, from where we caught our first glimpse. Then we continued to the car-park and up to the lookout point, which was quite a walk away. I didn't know what I would expect, actually - but, although 'just faces carved in rock', there was something impressive about it. I wouldn't rush to return though.

We went into the shop and bought some knick-knacks, including a buffalo (alas, no prairie dogs). Then we parked at Keystone and tried to find a bottle of wine; they wanted $22 in one of the saloons there! But, when we got back to Hill City, the offie part of Kroll's was still open, so we stocked up! Back at the cabin, we enjoyed some wine, while I wrote out some postcards. Outside, for a smoke, it was a bit iffy! There was a cockroach outside, waiting to get in (no way!), mozzies buzzing around - and something ran (or flew?) past, squeaking! Hey, the great outdoors!

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