Day 2: The Monuments and Deadwood

My second full day in South Dakota was spent touring the world renowned monuments of the Black Hills. We began at the older and better known, but smaller, Mount Rushmore.

I was very impressed with the entire presentation, including the plaza that leads to the amphitheater and viewing areas, and the visitor's center. The monument itself was even more striking than I had imagined and I was glad to return later in the week to see the lighting ceremony that takes place after dusk.

At lunchtime we drove to the newer, larger and yet unfinished Crazy Horse Monument where Josh's parents both work. The scale of this sculpture is astonishing and pictures simply do not do it justice.

Because Rollie works at the monument we were able to get a behind-the-scenes tour which included a walk out on what will eventually be Crazy Horse's arm, pointing to his lands "where his dead lie buried." This gave us an up close view of the now completed face.

The pictures we were able to take up here give you a slightly better sense of the sheer size of this sculpture, and the amazing detail that has been accomplished with dynamite and pneumatic chisels.

After finishing our visit to these two spectacular sights, Josh, Stacey and I left the kids with grandma and grandpa, jumped in their convertible, and drove to Deadwood, South Dakota.

We enjoyed amazing weather throughout the week, but never was this more enjoyable than during the beautiful drive to Deadwood.

Once we arrived in the classic western town, we payed our respects to Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, two of the personalities most associated with Deadwood's wild west past.

Then we walked the old downtown, visiting the No. 10 Saloon where Wild Bill was killed, and spending a little time with the penny and nickel slots that are bringing back Deadwood's gambling past. Josh had amazing luck so we let him treat for dinner and drinks in Kevin Costner's casino and restaurant, the Midnight Star.

After dinner, Josh again tried his hand at the penny slots and amazingly lightening struck twice. So Stacey and I let him treat us to after dinner drinks and cigars! Sitting on the patio atop the historic Franklin Hotel we felt like we had conquered the town!

On the drive home, we kept the top down and enjoyed the amazing sky full of stars. We even stopped along the way, turned off the lights and the car, and marveled at the Milky Way and the deafening silence. It was a fabulous ending to a fabulous day!