Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills, the Badlands, two tornadoes, a pelican, and an egret
Journal Day 13
Friday, 8/6/04
Mount Rushmore to Sioux Falls, SD
Mount Rushmore is a surprise. We were anxious to see it; we had been trying to catch a glimpse the night before last as we drove into the Black Hills at night. But I wasn't prepared for the emotional impact I experience as we walk through the main gate and get our first real view of the carved mountain. As we proceed on, down the Avenue of Flags, where the flag of each state is displayed, the phrase "I'm proud to be an American" echoes in my mind (not for the first time during this trip.)
The carvings themselves are quite amazing. When you study all four without binoculars, they convey strength, purpose, courage, and character. When you view them through binoculars, you can see the details and facial expressions; the spectacles on Teddy Roosevelt's face and his almost bristing expression, the somber eyes of Abraham Lincoln, the visionary gaze of Thomas Jefferson as he imagines a nation stretching from sea to shining sea, the quiet courage and goodness of George Washington. I am far more impressed than I was prepared to be.
The Black Hills also impress me far more than I expect. We have just been though spectacularly scenery--Mount St. Helens, the Oregon coast, the Bitteroot Mountains, Yellowstone, and Beartooth Pass. But the Black Hills are also beautiful. I have never heard wind rushing through the pines the way I do here, in the evening. I can understand their sacredness to the Plains Indian tribes, as well as the desire of whites to settle there.
Now, like many beautiful places, the Black Hills is also a typical tourist trap--you can visit the reptile park here, among other things. Oh well.
The Sturgis bikers are everywhere we go now, more and more every hour. Just about every place of business has a sign welcoming them, and carries some kind of "Sturgis Rally 2004" merchandise. Imagine what the Lewis and Clark Expedition could have done with motorcycles! We even saw a church with a "welcome bikers" sign, which is a very good thing if you think about it. There are bikes in every parking lot; bikes all along I90 heading west as we head east into the plains, away from the Black Hills.
We begin to see signs for Wall Drug, a famous drugstore/general store, and an equally famous marketing campaign, in Wall, South Dakota. The store apparently takes up one entire city block. Fortunately for our pocketbook, we don't have time to stop. Instead, we take a brief tour through a part of the Badlands National Park. These are the South Dakota Badlands (we have already seen the North Dakota Badlands as we passed through Theodore Roosevelt National Park in that state.) The two look similar, but in North Dakota they were formed by the Little Missouri River; in South Dakota by other forces of erosion. Some of the colors are spectacular. There is a quiet here that is almost deafening; a desolation of a different kind than that of Mount St. Helens.
More excitement on the way home. Another trip idea that Garrett and I have always had is tornado chasing in the Great Plains. Well, in a small way we get our wish. As we are driving east on I90, we look south at a developing storm and see a funnel cloud form and come down out of the clouds, then go back up and dissolve. No time to get a picture. We quickly switch drivers so that I can drive and Garrett can take pictures. I feel just like Helen Hunt in "Twister". Sure enough, another tornado forms and touches down. I just happen to have my weather radio along. They are broadcasting a severe thunderstorm warning, but nothing about a tornado. But we're seeing it! Garrett is taking pictures and I'm watching through the binoculars! It begins to dissolve, but doesn't completely go back up into the wall cloud. Then it reforms and touches down again. Fascinating to watch, especially out on the plains with nothing to obstruct your view. Since I knew it was probably at least forty miles away, and I was sure I could outdrive it at that point, I felt safe. Besides, if you've ever seen "Twister", you know you are perfectly safe in a pickup truck, although not in an 18-wheeler. We watched until it dissipated. Finally the weather radio broadcast the tornado warning. We continued to see bad storms, but we drove right in between them.
Later on, we see a pelican flying by. A pelican?!? I knew Lewis and Clark saw them on the Missouri, which is not that far away, but this was totally unexpected. We also see an egret.
Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills, the Badlands, two tornadoes, a pelican, and an egret all in one day. What a trip!
We are listening to ESPN radio (who also has the weather news) and hear the delightful Cards/Mets score, and news of a trade that gives the Cardinals Larry Walker. This sounds very good.
We arrive at the Sioux Falls KOA. This was the first campsite of our trip, now it's the last. It is our last time to put up the popup camper; the last time for the placing of the frog placemat outside the door. We finally have the routine down--and it's the last night! That's just how things work. I talk to Dad--he called to give me the latest baseball news. It was really good to hear his voice. I know that's it's getting to be time to go home.
Friday, 8/6/04
Mount Rushmore to Sioux Falls, SD
Mount Rushmore is a surprise. We were anxious to see it; we had been trying to catch a glimpse the night before last as we drove into the Black Hills at night. But I wasn't prepared for the emotional impact I experience as we walk through the main gate and get our first real view of the carved mountain. As we proceed on, down the Avenue of Flags, where the flag of each state is displayed, the phrase "I'm proud to be an American" echoes in my mind (not for the first time during this trip.)
The carvings themselves are quite amazing. When you study all four without binoculars, they convey strength, purpose, courage, and character. When you view them through binoculars, you can see the details and facial expressions; the spectacles on Teddy Roosevelt's face and his almost bristing expression, the somber eyes of Abraham Lincoln, the visionary gaze of Thomas Jefferson as he imagines a nation stretching from sea to shining sea, the quiet courage and goodness of George Washington. I am far more impressed than I was prepared to be.
The Black Hills also impress me far more than I expect. We have just been though spectacularly scenery--Mount St. Helens, the Oregon coast, the Bitteroot Mountains, Yellowstone, and Beartooth Pass. But the Black Hills are also beautiful. I have never heard wind rushing through the pines the way I do here, in the evening. I can understand their sacredness to the Plains Indian tribes, as well as the desire of whites to settle there.
Now, like many beautiful places, the Black Hills is also a typical tourist trap--you can visit the reptile park here, among other things. Oh well.
The Sturgis bikers are everywhere we go now, more and more every hour. Just about every place of business has a sign welcoming them, and carries some kind of "Sturgis Rally 2004" merchandise. Imagine what the Lewis and Clark Expedition could have done with motorcycles! We even saw a church with a "welcome bikers" sign, which is a very good thing if you think about it. There are bikes in every parking lot; bikes all along I90 heading west as we head east into the plains, away from the Black Hills.
We begin to see signs for Wall Drug, a famous drugstore/general store, and an equally famous marketing campaign, in Wall, South Dakota. The store apparently takes up one entire city block. Fortunately for our pocketbook, we don't have time to stop. Instead, we take a brief tour through a part of the Badlands National Park. These are the South Dakota Badlands (we have already seen the North Dakota Badlands as we passed through Theodore Roosevelt National Park in that state.) The two look similar, but in North Dakota they were formed by the Little Missouri River; in South Dakota by other forces of erosion. Some of the colors are spectacular. There is a quiet here that is almost deafening; a desolation of a different kind than that of Mount St. Helens.
More excitement on the way home. Another trip idea that Garrett and I have always had is tornado chasing in the Great Plains. Well, in a small way we get our wish. As we are driving east on I90, we look south at a developing storm and see a funnel cloud form and come down out of the clouds, then go back up and dissolve. No time to get a picture. We quickly switch drivers so that I can drive and Garrett can take pictures. I feel just like Helen Hunt in "Twister". Sure enough, another tornado forms and touches down. I just happen to have my weather radio along. They are broadcasting a severe thunderstorm warning, but nothing about a tornado. But we're seeing it! Garrett is taking pictures and I'm watching through the binoculars! It begins to dissolve, but doesn't completely go back up into the wall cloud. Then it reforms and touches down again. Fascinating to watch, especially out on the plains with nothing to obstruct your view. Since I knew it was probably at least forty miles away, and I was sure I could outdrive it at that point, I felt safe. Besides, if you've ever seen "Twister", you know you are perfectly safe in a pickup truck, although not in an 18-wheeler. We watched until it dissipated. Finally the weather radio broadcast the tornado warning. We continued to see bad storms, but we drove right in between them.
Later on, we see a pelican flying by. A pelican?!? I knew Lewis and Clark saw them on the Missouri, which is not that far away, but this was totally unexpected. We also see an egret.
Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills, the Badlands, two tornadoes, a pelican, and an egret all in one day. What a trip!
We are listening to ESPN radio (who also has the weather news) and hear the delightful Cards/Mets score, and news of a trade that gives the Cardinals Larry Walker. This sounds very good.
We arrive at the Sioux Falls KOA. This was the first campsite of our trip, now it's the last. It is our last time to put up the popup camper; the last time for the placing of the frog placemat outside the door. We finally have the routine down--and it's the last night! That's just how things work. I talk to Dad--he called to give me the latest baseball news. It was really good to hear his voice. I know that's it's getting to be time to go home.
posted by carol1211k | 10:40 PM
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