Friday...
We seem to get up so early, I am sure it is because of the time change (2 hrs. difference). It's only 8:30 a.m. and we've been up for a few hours already. Last night, at bedtime, we had a storm. I find it interesting to see how storms are so different from one place to another depending on the terrain. It was scary and Joli doesn't like storms, so she slept with us....yawn.

Yesterday we took a ride through Custer State Park and saw all kinds of animals: mule deer, bison and burros (right up at the car and in the road) and prairie dogs. We loved the ride along Iron Mountain Road which takes you through granite tunnels that actually frame out Mount Rushmore. Pictures won't do it justice. It was a curvy road and you would come upon a tunnel that was made out of the natural granite and as you would go through, Mt. Rushmore was in plain view (there were 3 of them in all)....wow. We enjoyed touring through the Black Hills. Later last night, we walked the town of Keystone. The little towns here are rather quaint and sell lots of Black Hills gold jewelry.

Today we are heading to the Badlands. We have been told that it will be overcast and will be good for picture taking.

It's an old joke with me....but I am still trying to find BEAR! Yep, we'd love to see a mother and cub from a DISTANCE! I'll be sure to let you know when we do....I just know we will.

We are hearing about the storms back home....a tornado watch in South Jersey????
Be safe and enjoy your day!
Mary
(This is a 'side' note for 'personal' notes since I can't email.....Happy Birthday Christina...we are thinking of you, have a great day. Kathy, we saw a Scamp yesterday and thought of you and Joe coming out here with yours. Millers....be sure to remember all this since you will be coming out next year!!! Abigail, thanks for your thoughts and prayers...we appreciate them....and you. Terri...paaleeeze keep me up to date with your e-mails, I look forward to them.)

It's Thurs. already! We were on the road all day yesterday and 'landed' near Rapid City in a GREAT campground...for 3 nights. Anyone planning to camp this way, mark this one down...Hart Ranch Campground. It's an upscale resort campground complete with hot tubs, swimming aerobic classes, a restaurant and a pet play area....oh, an WIFI. We are ALL happy here ; ) I met a gal in Hill City (before our dinner at the Alpine Inn...yummm) who owns a shop there and she was originally from the Phila. area. I asked her a lot of questions...where to go, what not to miss, etc....and she asked where we were staying. After telling her, she said 'very tony'....I asked what 'tony' was and she said 'rich'. I said, 'oh no...actually this place gave us a better deal than the others and we couldn't resist!' We learned a new word and now use it as we laugh about it.

After dinner last night, we went to Mt. Rushmore to see the lighting of it and a short movie. It was great seeing it again. I had seen Mt. Rushmore as a little girl and it is unforgettable. The difference this time was the huge entrance and a big parking garage. Before, there was just a scenic overlook. The faces out of rock remain the same....forever.

Today we are going to see more of the Black Hills. The Weinhardts told us to view them when the light is best....sunrise or sunset, for the best pictures. I am afraid this is not going to happen...today anyway. We all agreed that entering this area from the East to the West has been quite thought provoking. We went through many hours of plains to get here. We imagined the settlers coming across and finally arriving to the more lush area of woodlands and mountains. It is beautiful, no doubt.

I am missing my email connections with you. I appreciate the emails that are being sent to me (Terri's especially....Janis, where are you? Others??? At least post a comment from time to time...thank you, Kathy! Don't be afraid....I love the connections anyway I can get them...ha.) Remember, I can receive emails but can't send them...ugh. Any advice to me would be appreciated.

I am hoping to get my pictures sorted through and get some up here soon. I must find a photo place first...drugstore, etc. We've gotten lots of them so far. Sure wish I was better at this blog thing. Have a wonderful day....it's going to be 80 here and 50's at night. Not bad.
Mary

Tuesday, Sept. 8 -
It was hard to say goodbye to my family. They spoiled us for our short visit. The memories we shared will always be close to our hearts....until the next time.

We started out from Des Moines at 8:40 a.m. and after traveling through the state of Iowa and half of South Dakota, we stopped at a CAMPGROUND outside of Chamberlain, SD at 4:30 (8 hrs. of driving). It was amazing to see the plains of SD and to suddenly come to view hills on the side of the Missouri River (where the Lewis & Clark expedition traveled). As we sat at a quaint restaurant in the town of Chamberlain tonight, a storm came through the area. It was intense and quite different from what we are used to. The view is endless and the lightning covered the entire horizon. It was certainly our entertainment, while dining, for the evening.

We will see Wall Drug tomorrow (a tourist attraction in Wall, SD) and will be in Rapid City. I will be posting more pictures soon. For some reason I am able to receive emails (so keep them coming to me or post comments here) but I am unable to SEND emails....not sure why. I have several waiting to be sent but with my luck, you will get them when I return home (Terri, Paula, Kathy, etc...) and they will make no sense at all then...ha.
Mary