Day 4

We have just returned from the evening ceremony at Mount Rushmore. Very impressive and Major Tom says "worth every penny" whatever that means. But really - it is truly impressive
and a sight to behold - popping out of the trees and towering above. We went around 6:30pm after checking in here at Dakota Cowboy's Motel in Custer -not the Four Seasons - but it's clean.
We ate hot dogs at the feet of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln - pretty good company. The outdoor ceremony is really a film shown in the amphitheater followed by the singing of the National Anthem as the lights are slowly brought up on the faces. Then all the veterans were called to the stage and the flag is lowered. We were struggling with the weather - spritzing and getting windier and then more drizzle, but our spirits were not dampened! Met some fellow Pennsylvanians on the way out. Temp -51

Early this morning we left Gothenburg, NE, finding no long lost relatives. We travelled through Nebraska on US 83 - a straight shot to South Dakota - and we mean straight! A 2 lane highway with a 65 mph speed limit, sailing through cattle country. This is what must be called the open range. We stopped at an overlook and took some pix - hopefully we'll have time to get those on here sometime. But the strangest thing was the absolute silence when we got out of the car. Nothing. We felt as if we should be whispering.

We finally got to the "amber waves of grain". And more disturbingly, we came through the area of Indian villages. I feel guilty that the people who were here in this beautiful country first are living in such deplorable conditions.

We went to the Badlands National Park and were bowled over. What a landscape that is!
The sun going in and out and the wind whipping around was breath taking. And the same thing there - it was as if all the people did not want to ruin the moment. What an experience.

We may go through Custer state Park tomorrow before we head toward Wyoming - haven't decided.....Goodnight and God Bless