Snakes on a Plane… NOT

I mean snakes on the Plains more specific at Reptile Gardens in Rapid City SD. This is where I ran away from a turtle, even though he is an animal that won’t eat me.

Orville

I will come back and discuss Orville in a few paragraphs. I don’t mean to get ahead of myself.

This was another morning Candi, Dave, Roy and I got up and out early. Good thing because there was a line out the door to get in when we were leaving and the parking lot was full at 11am. Who would have thunk creepy crawly things would be so popular.

On the drive over Candi and Dave kept saying we should have gone this way when we came over. It is way less curvy then the way they followed with the GPS. I’ve said GPS do not always give the best directions. We did convince them this is the way they should head back. Before we headed to our destination for the day we drove through Keystone and saw the other end of the 1880s train and depot.

On arrival we did what anyone else would do and decide where we want to go. We head towards the back and ended up near the turtles or desert tortoises Orville was just hanging out and was being petted by toddlers and adults, but not me.

I have not learned yet that you do not make eye contact with animals because they want to come visit you. (I think it is my animal magnetism.) Well, I caught Orville’s eye and he was headed straight towards me. I faired better then Roy because Orville got stuck between the wall and Roy’s scooter. I was long gone though. I guess they had to lift the back of his scooter off of Orville. It is all fun and games until you are getting run over by a giant tortoise. Orville has a right to be cranky or pushy he is over 125 years old.

After Roy got loose, we left our tortoise friends behind and headed over to the prairie dog town. This is where Candi decided to get up-close to a prairie dog. She popped up in an observation bubble and even had a dog come inspect her. I have never seen so many slow-moving prairie dogs. I think, in captivity they don’t have to worry much about predators. Candi caught a picture of four of them just being stationary on a piece of wood. I thought they were either dead or stuffed until one did move.

Travelling through the old west town Candi had to take a time out. Dave decided to try and break her out and they both got thrown behind bars. We however did not throw away the key. They were released on good behavior.

We decided to see the gator show but I thought it was going to be a croc. (I couldn’t resist).

It was fun and I learned that my husband is a reptile, because he has mastered the art of doing nothing. The most movement out of the gators and crocs was during feeding time. Check out this video.

The tamer jumped on the back of a gator to show us how to subdue one. I found out the only true man eating crocodile is the Nile crocodile. At the end of the show the trainer brought out a baby

After the show we stop for drinks. Then it was off to Mount Rushmore again. Ok, not the real Mount Rushmore – a replica.

From here it was off to the birds, I have gotten better about being fearful of birds. I still keep my distance though. They had the usual vultures, hawks, owls, and parrots. The red tail hawk was missing part of her wing. The most interesting bird of all was a king vulture Roy was interacting with it by making eye contact and having the bird follow his movements. I myself was just glad he was behind glass.

A stop at the Sky Dome had me a little jittery due to Roy pointing out the Boa Constrictor above my head. This is also where the giant saltwater croc Maniac lives.

We finished the morning up by a stop at the gift shop. I bought a bite me t-shirt. Quick lunch stop at Culvers. (had to get cheese curds). We finished our outings for the day with a tour of a Black Hills Gold factory.

On the way to dinner we talked about cows sometimes on the road and how animals can dart right out in front of you if you’re not careful. Dave thought we were going to experience an animal jumping out in front of us. He said oh no that’s a big elk and it’s going to jump. Wait, it’s fake. It sure got his heart jumping. On the way home Candi was convinced the deer she saw were fake until their heads moved all because of the elk.

Dinner was at Powder House in Keystone. They have great game meat, an amazing buffalo stew, which Dave will never get to try as they were out. He did try the buffalo meat loaf though and said it was good. This was a great way to finish off an awesome visit with family.

A Crazy afternoon

We had to stop and get refueled with food because the next adventure was Crazy Horse Memorial. More on that later. We pulled out of Mount Rushmore and stopped in the pull out where you can see George Washington’s profile. Then headed to Hill City, were we drove through town once and almost said that was cool. As always things open up and happen if we are supposed to be somewhere. Dave and Candi whose stomachs were on central time were growling for food. What opens up but a parking space in front of the 1885 Steak House. We were also there right before the crowd that always seems to follow Dave and Candi anytime, they eat out. As Roy says timing is everything. Lunch was good and when your full it is time to walk it off and go shopping. I confess unlike Mount Rushmore I did have a t-shirt jump in my bag. The front says “Who needs GOOGLE when you have a husband who knows evrything” Obviously that is an untruth. After we finished shopping back in the jeep and we head off to Crazy Horse Memorial.

I had never wanted to drive up to see Crazy Horse up close when I could view everything I needed to see from the road. Candi had visited Crazy Horse in 1990 where nothing at all like what she saw today. I’m jumping ahead of myself, but they have an area in the museum that shows progress on the statue from year to year.

I never had a desire to take the time to explore the grounds of Crazy Horse. In fact I’m not sure there was a visitor center to visit. I did just check and yes there was a visitor center. Click here for the timeline. The above pictures show the slow progress of bringing down a mountain. The amazing thing is how detailed the work is. You can see the finger take shape.

It was $35.00 for the carload and that got you admission into the visitor center. You can also ride a bus to the base of the mountain for $5.00. (this is not handicap accessible). We decided not to do this. I will be honest I was not expecting much. I have to say I was impressed with the details and artifacts in the welcome center. There was even a place to pick up a rock or two from the actual mountain. Both Candi and I decided to get some rocks. Also I found this to be quite interesting when it comes to how large the actual monument will be. The hole is 100 x 110 ft. the arm is 263 ft long. I do have to say the detail on the finger blows me away.

I learned more information on the Navajo Code Talkers. Enjoyed seeing all the hand worked beaded headdresses. Saw a large dream catcher. On the patio there was a plaster cast 1/34th version of the completed Crazy Horse, this will and is a multi-generational project. In the gift shop I bought a t-shirt that I will hold dear to me. ‘Never Forget Your Dreams’ a quote from the sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski. There are times when I just think my dreams are not within reach. I have to remember I will reach them just in another way. As we were leaving here there was this super cool cloud formation. Yes, it did hold rain.

Candi did mention I could take a helicopter ride around Crazy Horse I kept say not unless Dave goes with me. He said NO. We decided to head home via the Needles tunnel. We had to show them the one lane tunnel called Needles Eye. Well, we missed the turn-off to Needles Highway which turned into a good thing, otherwise we would have been doing the tunnel in the rain. As we pull in there was climbers who had just finished climbing the Needle I still need to catch one of them in the act of repelling down the rock.

Heading home on big daddy’s road we wondered if we might see him. All of a sudden, he comes running up the road and slows down right by the car as if to say I’ve been looking for you all day. (or something just spooked him).

run buffalo run

We go a little further and see another big daddy hanging out on the side of the road.

At home we had dinner and decided to hit the hay early because I heard Dave was going to be wrestling a gator in the morning.

I’ve seen pictures

I don’t need to go. That was my brother’s catch phrase before he arrived at the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park. This week changed that. I hadn’t seen Dave or my sister-in-law Candi since 2018 when we buzzed through Wisconsin. So, it was a nice surprise when they decided to come visit. It started off a little funny. You have to love GPS they still don’t know where or how they got lost. I would say they weren’t lost as much as redirected. Once they got pointed in the right direction, they arrived in about twenty minutes. None the worse for wear. But the 10mph curves were the interesting part for them.

After hugs and getting settled in Candi had to snap a picture of me. One of the rare times I actually sat still. Which is hard for me because I am always on the other side of the camera. I did not though get a picture of Dave or Candi together or separate until the next day when we went to Mount Rushmore. You can tell I don’t shoot people that often with my camera. I have to thank Candi for taking a bunch of the photos I’m using in this post.

The first thing we wanted to share was wildlife loop so they could have a chance to be swarmed by buffalo. Of course, when you are looking for buffalo to show up and swarm your car they are nowhere in sight. We did see rain and of course some soaked burros. I just don’t understand why Dave wouldn’t reach out and touch the one that walked by the car. I know that the little guy was looking for attention or food because he was willing to stick his head in the car.

After we struck out with the loop we headed back to the trailer in search of one of the big boys that didn’t pan out either. So, at least we could offer some burgers and chips cooked by Roy. Off to bed for an early morning journey to Mount Rushmore beat the heat, or rain and most important the crowds.

So the rest of the pictures are for the most part compliments of Candi’s cell phone. I did take mine but she was so much quicker on the draw than me. So, that is why I used her pictures.

Candi had been here before when she was 18 Dave had never been here. We decided to take Iron Mountain RD which she hadn’t done before. There are three tunnels where you can see Mount Rushmore through.

You might remember my pictures of the tunnels. We stopped and let Dave and Candi stand in the middle of the road then walk through the tunnel. Candi and Dave both enjoyed the view you get as Mount Rushmore continued to get closer and closer to it.

Getting up early was a great idea we had no trouble finding parking and traversing the whole area, at least Roy and I didn’t we were motorized. I am sure Candi and Dave did ok also. We took our time going through the tunnels and the curves so they could take in the views.

Once we got the scooter and chair out of the car we headed to pay for parking. It’s $10 but if you are a disabled Vet or an old guy you only pay $5. Plus it is good for a year. We will be back for the night lighting ceremony.

One picture that Candi and I both wanted was at the Wisconsin Flag. Of course, being that it starts with a W the state flag was at the end of the avenue of flags, this was the first picture stop inside the monument.

Dave and Candi then headed to the terrace which gave Dave a view that had him pointing out the bump on Lincoln’s nose. (he said booger) I also found him I think reflecting on something. All in all I think this was better than just looking at a picture. In person builds bigger memories.

I was able to do something I had not been able to even attempt before because of the distance. It is taking the Presidential Trail, I could only make it to the stairs. I was able to get far enough to be close enough to the sculpture. Here is a photo from the trail I took. I will be adding this to my view from the chair series I am collecting.

With a few breaks Candi and Dave made it down the trail also, I just don’t understand why they needed a break shortly after we set out on the trail. Maybe this picture tells the story.

We got to Mount Rushmore about 8:45 am and left a little after 11am by the time we left it was getting crowded. We even got me in and out of a gift store without buying anything. Can’t say the same for Dave and Candi but that is what tourists are supposed to do.

Now we were on to the next adventure of the day which did not involve a helicopter because Dave would not go up with me. Roy wants me to go on a helicopter ride with him and I say hell no. I did relent and said if Dave goes with me. I will update the odds of that happening in the upcoming blogs.