Day 6, Headin’ to the Badlands

August 05, 2008

Debbie Ingram

The husband’s military training kicked in in full force this morning.

“Hurry up, hurry up.”

Forget thinking this was a vacation.

We’re headin’ east today to the Badlands. We have sunny skies and temperatures are back in the low 90s. We’re riding with Tim and Sandi Rigsby from Dothan and Mule and Jen from Texas. We met them at Daytona earlier this year.

The Badlands are like huge mountains of sand. They say you can stick your finger in the bottom of them. Think John Wayne westerns.

Growing up I always knew my father was born in the wrong place, wrong time. He was a cowboy without the horses. He had lots of guns and believed in protecting what was his. John Wayne was his hero. I don’t know if my father ever made it to the Badlands before he died six years ago. He would have loved this place.

We’re on a schedule because tonight we have tickets for Larry the Cable Guy back in Sturgis. Get R Done.

Crazy Horse Memorial

Regina Rose

Debbie’s shot of the Crazy Horse monument.
According to the crazyhorse.org Web site, the Crazy Horse Memorial is the world’s largest mountain sculpture in progress. It is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, 17 miles southwest of Mount Rushmore.

Monday’s ride to Custer, Crazy Horse and Rushmore

Debbie Ingram

When we headed out Monday, I had on corduroy pants, leather chaps, thick socks, boots, leather vest, long sleeve T, jacket, scarf and leather head covering. And I was comfortable.

When we left out toward what we knew would be a full day visiting Mount Rushmore, Custer National Park and the Crazy Horse Memorial, a slight rain began to fall. We never got wet enough to put on our rain suits, but it was a constant mist for a few hours. Cold to the bone, we call it. I can only imagine winters here.

When you think of someone carving the president’s faces—can you name all four?—in stone, that, in itself, is an amazing feat. The same thing is being done by a private group for Crazy Horse. That project was begun in 1948. The only thing finished is the face. The horse is barely under construction.

Custer itself was a cool town. We did some shopping there and as the day wore on, the husband started pushing me (again) to hurry up.

“Baby, we’re more than a hour from home.“

Shop, shop, shop.

“Baby, we really need to go.“

Shop, shop, shop.

I am buying both cheezy Indian stuff for the 6 year old daughter, some gifts, unique pieces made by locals, and Harley stuff that I could buy in Dothan only THIS Harley stuff says Sturgis. So there. I also have a very hard to please teenager I am buying for. I am literally taking camera phone pictures of possible gift and send them to her.

A dress at a cute boutique.

No, comes the reply.

A unique piece of jewelry.

No.

A hand-made lace top.

No.

Can you say No-thing?!

We made it back to Deadwood around 8 last night and ate our anniversary dinner at Kevin Cosner’s restaurant, Midnight Star. More beef. We had a long wait, but great service. The majority of folks know how to make tourists feel welcome. Mark and I remarked that Dances with Wolves is one of our all-time favorite movies. Made right here.

We got back last night cold—again—and tired.

Oh, it was our first wedding anniversary. And wanna give a shout out to John and Janet, who marked 30 years yesterday. Wow!

Mountain tunnel

August 04, 2008

Debbie Ingram

A mountain tunnel.

Burros!

Regina Rose

On the road, Debbie sees wild burros in Custer National Park.