Chief Crazy Horse

Chief Crazy Horse Upclose and Personal

We got the experience of a life time when we signed up for a volksmarch to the top of the mountain craving of Chief Crazy Horse.  This maybe the last time that people will be able to hike up to the monument and actually walk out on the arm.  Apparently, this annual volksmarch has been going on for 26 years and now that the mountain carvers will be working on the Chief's hand and fingers no one will be allowed to walk on the arm.  We really enjoyed the 10 K walk but as we started out the trail went down and we knew that we had to go up in elevation at least 500 feet.  The trail weaved through the surrounding forest and came out on the construction road just below the monument.  Than it was about a mile and half to the top --- at about a 9% grade!  You definitely want to be in shape to do this walk.  I have add some pictures of the walk and the monument for your review and enjoyment.

It is a long way up to the top -- hope we make it!!!!

Pat on the Trail - she is not exhausted yet!

We started out at the back of the pack but soon was up close to the front of the pack but..... we found out that the most challenging part of the 10K walk was at the end!  The last mile and half was oh my God exhausting.

OK you reached the road and made it half way up the road (only about a mile left to the monument)- how do you feel?  Short answer -- Do I get to rest or should I just lay down and die?

It is wonderful feeling once you reach the top and you look out onto the world.  The top of Chief Crazy Horse gives you unsurpassed views of the Black Hills.

The Black Hills of South Dakota from on top of Chief Crazy Horse's monument. 

By the way, that little built up area in the photo is where we started our volksmarch and meandered toward the right through the trees and came back around to left out of the picture.

The day before we took an 1880 train from the town of Keystone (at the base of Mt. Rushmore) to Hill City and back.  It was a fun and relaxing way to spend our anniversary.

The 1880 train from Keystone to Hill City

We didn't know that the train was going to breakdown on the last hill into Hill City but as the conductor said, "Folks we won't charge you extra for stopping along the way".  Every day is an adventure and our backyard experiences just keep on adding special memories to our lives.

Please take care of yourselves and stay tuned for our next blog from Yellowstone NP,  no matter what the weather (we are expecting rain and cool temps) we know we will enjoy our next backyard adventure and hope you do also!

Mt Rushmore and More

George in front of Wild Bill Hickok and Calmity Jane's graves in Moriah Cemetary in Deadwood

We went sightseeing today and ended up in Deadwood.    It is the end of May and notice George is still wearing a vest over a sweatshirt.  What is that all about?  Do you know the story about how these two  ended up buried next to each other.  Wild Bill was assasinated by Jack McCall in 1876 and when Calmity Jane died in 1903 she said bury me beside Wild Bill.  As far as anyone knows they did not have any realtionship except that Calmity Jane knew him and always wanted to be near him.  Strange but true! 

This is Salon No. 10 were Wild Bill Hickok was shot in the back holding the famous "deadman's hand" (Aces and Eights with the 9 of diamonds) in Deadwood, SD

Mount Rushmore

Visting Mount Rushmore is an awesome experience.  But if you get a chance go there late in the afternoon.  Stay for the night show -  it will send shivers up your back.  The National Park Service put on a wonderful show every night during the summer starting at 9:00 with the lighting of the Presidents at 9:30.  I think along with the Tomb of the Unknown ceremony and seeing the Missouri at Pearl Harbor this has to be one of America's must see events for all Americans. 

Pat with the Black Hills in the background

We are half way through our backyard adventure in the Black Hills and we are so glad to report the temperatures are in the 80's and he sky is a very beautiful blue.  It was so nice today that we brought out the golf clubs and decided to play 18.  We got in 8 holes and could not take it anymore since it was 21/2 hours on the course and not a hint of letting us play through - the club pro said that he was sorry but some of the players think that they paid for their round and should be able to take all the time they wanted to play their round, regardless of how slow.  We won't be back to that course anytime soon!  Leaving early allowed us to fire up the grill and put some chicken on for supper...see everything turns out good if you just have a positive attitude!

Tomorrow we will be doing a little maintenence with the motorhome so not much sightseeing but Saturday we will be taking in Elsworth AFB's open house. We will have some pictures to let you all see our Air Force and some of the activities of the day. 

Don't know if we mentioned it in our last blog but we will be two of a very select few who will walk on the arm of the monument of Chief Crazy Horse.  The monument is a work in progress and probably will not be done in our life time but we will be part of it's history.  We are going on a volksmarch Sunday that will end up on the Chief Crazy Horse's monument.  It only happens once a year and only a few people participate in this 10K walk.  We are excited and are anticipating walking on this monument in the making.  For sure pictures will follow!

That is about it for this update, we hope you are living life to the fullest and not waiting to live your dreams.  This great land has so much to offer and see and everywhere you turn there is a special adventure for you to enjoy!  Take extra good care of yourself and if you are traveling this summer be safe (there are some crazy drivers out there).  Next post will be Monday or Tuesday so stay tuned!