Monday, July 13, 2009

The Journey 2008: Day 6

Sorry for the delay in the road trip festivities, so here is a nice long day for you, to make up for the long wait.
We are back on the road again, and we begin our day underground at Wind Cave National Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota.


Wind Cave has the highest concentration of boxwork formations in the world.




Back above ground and on the road we find our next state's highway sign, South Dakota. What do you think? More to come to find out which state has the best one.


On the Needles Highway in Custer State Park. It was a little foggy so we could not see much until we got up close, but it was still a very fun drive and a beautiful landscape to experience.


One of the many single track tunnels along the route, and when I say single track I mean not much wider than a car with solid rock a few inches from each mirror.


Morgan at the Needle's Eye rock formation.


Wildlife in Custer State Park


Not so wild life eating Doritos out of some ladies car. I guess they did not see the sign saying not to dangle a bag of chips at the animals.

Morgan being attacked by the 'killer' donkey, as Morgan calls it, trying to get more Doritos and all she wanted was a picture.


There was no sign for the donkeys, so the Tatonka (Buffalo) must really be dangerous.


Morgan said I could not get too close so out came the zoom lens and tripod...Morgan still thought I was too close.

The Tatonka were Morgan's favorite to see. They were so peaceful and just went about their business, eating grass as all the cars full of people stopped to take pictures.





Buffalo are both dangerous and delicious. Go to Sage Creek Grille in Custer, SD for a tasty and fresh Buffalo Burger


This is a one lane road, that is actually a two lane road...they just decided to put the other half of the road to the left somewhere on the other side of the trees.


Another small hole through a rock to drive through, and then on the other side we see...


Don't know if you can tell, but there are 4 little faces on that mountain in the distance.


Mt. Rushmore. Look at how excited we are.



Looking at the faces up close they look so much different. Look at the eyes. Can you see how the pupil was carved. From afar it looks normal, but up close you see that it sticks way out.



Mt. Rushmore fading into the clouds. We were there just in time to be able to check it out before the clouds rolled in and blocked the view.


Deadwood, SD. The resting place of Wild Bill Hickok...we just had to come check this town out.


Here is the site of Saloon number 10, what a creative name, where Wild Bill was shot. They look so sad don't they?


We are happy again, down the street, because we found the place where they captured Wild Bill's killer. Justice has been served.


One question...why is the regular unleaded cost more than the plus? This was a peculiar thing we saw in certain areas, any ideas as to why it is this way?

The historic Franklin Hotel and Casino was our place of residence for the night in Deadwood.


The Ugly Horse Pub for a dinner of good pizza, and the best chicken wings Morgan says she has ever had.

This penny slot is for you Michael Shaw, in memory of the Vegas trip and the big money winner on the Big Ben penny slot...I was not so lucky on this one.
That ends day 6 which was a day full of fun and adventure in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It is such a beautiful place that Morgan has it on her list of places she would love to live. Tomorrow, no new states, but much more of South Dakota.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

The Journey 2008: Day 5

We begin our day with a walk around Denver.
Crazy large sculptures and modern buildings in downtown Denver.


Morgan has made some new friends chillin' in the city.


The crazy Denver Art Museum Building. Must have been fun to design...at least for the architect, but probably not so much for the structural engineer.


First State Capitol of the trip, Colorado, many more to come.

The inside of the dome made for a fun shot.


Why did the big blue bear try to get into the convention center? Anybody?


What up Wyoming!!! I know Morgan is excited about the Tatonka in the background. I am thinking there will be some live ones in our future...


State Capitol number two, Wyoming.


Sorry Wyoming for such a short visit, but it is time for a new state. It also looks like the good life awaits us...oh, and Arbor Day as well. What a deal, what a deal...


Highway signs. Each state has a different one, here is Nebraska's. We will be keeping an eye out for others as we go to see which state has the best one.


On the Oregon Trail...Morgan is living her pioneer dream...



It's time to head out west...okay we're going to go east first, then north, then south, and then west. But we'll be using a new model of the horse drawn carriage, with more horses and better roads.


View from the top of Scotts Bluff, a landmark that helped to lead wagon trains out west along the Oregon Trail.



If you are ever in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, stop by Scotty's for a good steak sandwich, tasty dog and a shake.


The midwest is full of water towers, so I just decided to take pictures of them and find some cool ones...at least make Morgan take the pictures since I was driving. I know she loved it.

On to South Dakota with what looks like great faces and great places. Morgan is trying to look presidential like George Washington...do you see the resemblance?
Off to Hot Springs, South Dakota for the night, and tomorrow exploring the Black Hills. We added Wyoming, Nebraska and South Dakota to our states list giving us 10 more states to go.