Badlands to Medora (Saturday through Monday)

Hi all,

It has been so awesome these last few days. I have been so many places and seen so many new things. I left the hotel in Pierre and went over to the capitol building. I walked around and saw some of their monuments and got some pictures of the building. I did not want to take a tour, but the monuments and lake on the grounds are beautiful. From Pierre I headed West on Hwy 14. I was going to take 14 all the way to Wall, but decided to head south on 73 and then over 90 to the exit for the Scenic Badlands Byway. That is such an awesome trip and if you have not gone that way you really should (if I was on the laptop, I would add pictures--maybe the next motel?). I got to Wall in time for lunch so I of course stopped at the Drug Store. Had a great cheeseburger and fries and then bought some doughnuts (they are so awesome there) before heading west some more.

I got to Rapid City early, but the hotel had my room ready so I checked in and then headed south to Keystone. I walked through the Borglum Museum which explained why he chose to do Mount Rushmore, did some shopping, and then visited the Presidential Wax Museum. I then headed to Mount Rushmore for the night lighting ceremony. All I have to say is that if you have never visited for that ceremony you should. It is very patriotic and they had a very special Veterans ceremony that was great. (Although remember a jacket since it gets chilly).

The next day was Sunday so I headed to church and then from there took the long way to Spearfish. I took 16 south through Hill City and Custer and over to Wyoming where I then picked up 85 north. There was one part of 16 that scared the living daylights out of me due to fresh oil, loose gravel, falling rocks, and no shoulder. Thank heavens I did not see the semi until after I was past that part. I actually pulled over to catch my breath. I really don't think mountain living is for me, love to visit though. From 85 I followed that until I got to 14A which is the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, and wow another great road to take out here. I was so impressed with the high canyon walls, but it is really dry so the waterfalls are not at their best. Hopefully my pictures turned out. I got to Spearfish and checked in and took a nap. All this driving can sure tire a person out! The rest of the day was pretty lazy.

This morning I got up (because my neighbor's could not shut off their alarm) and headed North. I traveled through Belle Fourche and visited their monument for being the center of the United States. Then I did not stop again until Bowman, N.D. They have the nicest little museum that was being manned by a retired guy from Minnesota of all places. I spent a couple of hours walking around there before going to the city park for lunch. Then north again until I hit 94 West. I got to Medora about 3:00 pm and could not check in until 4:00 so I visited the North Dakota Cowboy Museum and Hall of Fame. Neat place, but I think I am getting tired of all the historical museums :). My room was not ready so I walked through town and did some shopping. I am going to head back to the room now and it will be an early night.

Tomorrow is Theodore Roosevelt National Park and that will probably be enough. Then I start heading East on Wednesday as I travel to Rugby.

Hoping to write tomorrow,
Paula