America the Beautiful--Natural and Man-made

Yesterday we arrived in the Black Hills and are camping beneath the whispering ponderosa pines. This area reminds us a lot of northern Arizona areas on the rim. The scenic byways of the Black Hills here in South Dakota meander thru grasslands as well as forested areas. We have seen bison, deer--both white tail and mule deer, wild burros, pronghorn antelope, lots of wild turkeys, and prarie dogs.

There are several winding roads that open up to spectacular vistas of Mt. Rushmore. These roads have narrow tunnels--one only 8'4" wide--thru the granite and 'pigtail bridges' that are almost like the "matchbox motorway" we played with as kids. We sure are glad we weren't towing the trailer through here!!!

We enjoyed Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monument--which still is unfinished!! I'm really surprised to find it still very unfinished since it was started when my mom and I traveled this way in 1994!

Alan and I met a biker on a Harley Davidson 'Fat Boy' from Alberta, Canada...now Alan thinks he wants to trade the truck and camper in and get a couple of bikes. HA!