Julie W
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,209 
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Post by Julie W on Aug 3, 2016 14:50:11 GMT
If you go to Mt Rushmore you must go in the evening. Once it is dark, the faces light up while our anthem is played. It made my cry to hear so many people sing, from USA and other countries. Others that have gone at night said same thing, total goose bumps! Yes, this. We went for this lighting ceremony in the evening and it was AMAZING. They invited all veterans and active military up on stage and they all said their names and military branch. Some put their own spin on this. It was all the way from active duty to a WW2 veteran in a wheelchair. It was so incredibly touching and beautiful On a side funny note, DD was 7 at the time when we went. She pointed to one of the presidents on the memorial and whispered to me, "Obama?"  Save |
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happymomma
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,078
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Post by happymomma on Aug 3, 2016 15:09:06 GMT
I'm so glad I started this thread!
I'm leaning toward:
Skipping Deadwood
Mt. Rushmore at night
Wall Drugs
Corn Palace
Those things for sure, and so many more great ideas that I have to decide between.
Also glad that you pointed out that I need to book a room NOW, although I should've thought of that before.
Thanks for doing the thinking for this old migraine brain.
It's going to be sad leaving my son and family, but at least I'll have some happy things to see on the way home.
Xo
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Post by wezee on Aug 3, 2016 15:11:45 GMT
Go see the Badlands!!
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Post by jemali on Aug 3, 2016 15:33:47 GMT
Your parking permit for Mt Rushmore is valid until the end of the year. So if you want to go see it during the day and also in the evening you can go twice.
We camped at the KOA by Devil's Tower. They show the Close Encounters movie outdoors every night. Kind of fun.
If you like zoos we had fun at Bear Country in Rapid City
We really like Wind Cave National Park
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happymomma
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,078
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Post by happymomma on Aug 3, 2016 16:56:42 GMT
Okay what exactly is the Badlands?
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Post by ilikepink on Aug 3, 2016 17:06:46 GMT
If you go to Deadwood, there is a store/art gallery - Scott Jacobs Studio - that recently opened. He's a friend from HS, very talented artist, and is an official artist for Harley. You might want to stop and take a look around.
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valincal
Drama Llama
Southern Alberta
Posts: 5,650
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Post by valincal on Aug 3, 2016 17:10:19 GMT
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Post by kamper on Aug 3, 2016 19:33:52 GMT
I would spend time both during the day and then come back again for the evening program at Mt. Rushmore. You could spend a couple of days in Custer State Park (wildlife loop, Needles Hwy, Iron Mountain road that has framed views of Rushmore, Sylvan Lake). If you want another bike ride I'd suggest Spearfish Canyon. There is a lodge about half way down that seemed nice (we were camping and just got drinks there). I wasn't all that impressed by either Deadwood or Crazy Horse.
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Post by jemali on Aug 3, 2016 19:50:34 GMT
You have to see the Badlands. They are beautiful.
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Post by jenis40 on Aug 3, 2016 21:02:37 GMT
Unless it's changed in the past 10 years, Deadwood was really just casinos made to look like Old West saloons and a very small museum about Wild Bill Hickok. Maybe there's more there now? But I would definitely exclude it in favor of national parks.
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Post by jenis40 on Aug 3, 2016 21:04:22 GMT
Derailing thread to add my DH proposed to me during night ceremony at Mt Rushmore with a Black Hills gold ring (yeah we were country). 😄
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happymomma
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,078
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Post by happymomma on Aug 3, 2016 21:44:11 GMT
Just got done 'hiking' (in flip flops) through Makoshika State Park here in Glendive, Montana.
I'm pretty much speechless at the wonder of those mountains. Wow.
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Post by essiejean on Aug 3, 2016 21:51:58 GMT
Okay what exactly is the Badlands? They are a very scenic portion of our state that basically divides the Hills of the west from the Praries of the east. Very dessert like and desolate but beautiful in its own right. Almost a scaled down version of the Grand Canyon. If you have time the best way to see the badlands is on foot by taking some of the hiking trails. I live in Rapid City and so far the Rally seems to be down in number (last year was the big 75th so it is understandable) so the traffic isn't bad and there seems to be plenty of accommodations available. I know you said you have no interest in Sturgis but if you have the bike you should take a cruise into Sturgis just to see it - even on an off year the number of bikes lined up on Main Street is impressive. Deadwood is fun if you want to party and gamble - other than that not much for kids (can't remember if your post said you would have young ones with or not). Our weather has been blistering hot with daily severe thunderstorms (large hail) but this weekend we are expecting cooler temps and no rain. I am a vendor for Landstroms Black Hills Gold jewelry so you will see my display of product at Mt Rushmores gift shop (as well as many other locations in the Hills and Wall Drug) - take a peek and take home a truly authentic souvenir from the Black Hills! If you want to see how it is made you can take our factory tour in Rapid City - we are located right next to Ruby Tuesdays on Mt Rushmore Rd (which leads onto Hwy 16 towards Mt Rushmore) I hope your trip is fabulous!!! |
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Post by essiejean on Aug 3, 2016 21:59:46 GMT
Derailing thread to add my DH proposed to me during night ceremony at Mt Rushmore with a Black Hills gold ring (yeah we were country). 😄 That is soooo cool!!!! My second wedding set was Black Hills Gold - I had the diamond from my first set placed in the BHG ring. I have since upgraded the diamond and the set but still have my originals tucked away in my jewelry box. Being in the jewelry industry for 30+ years makes it easy to upgrade. |
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happymomma
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,078
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Post by happymomma on Aug 3, 2016 22:44:54 GMT
Okay what exactly is the Badlands? They are a very scenic portion of our state that basically divides the Hills of the west from the Praries of the east. Very dessert like and desolate but beautiful in its own right. Almost a scaled down version of the Grand Canyon. If you have time the best way to see the badlands is on foot by taking some of the hiking trails. I live in Rapid City and so far the Rally seems to be down in number (last year was the big 75th so it is understandable) so the traffic isn't bad and there seems to be plenty of accommodations available. I know you said you have no interest in Sturgis but if you have the bike you should take a cruise into Sturgis just to see it - even on an off year the number of bikes lined up on Main Street is impressive. Deadwood is fun if you want to party and gamble - other than that not much for kids (can't remember if your post said you would have young ones with or not). Our weather has been blistering hot with daily severe thunderstorms (large hail) but this weekend we are expecting cooler temps and no rain. I am a vendor for Landstroms Black Hills Gold jewelry so you will see my display of product at Mt Rushmores gift shop (as well as many other locations in the Hills and Wall Drug) - take a peek and take home a truly authentic souvenir from the Black Hills! If you want to see how it is made you can take our factory tour in Rapid City - we are located right next to Ruby Tuesdays on Mt Rushmore Rd (which leads onto Hwy 16 towards Mt Rushmore) I hope your trip is fabulous!!! Yeah, I think we will skip Deadwood. I'm not much into gambling. I just had heard you can pan for gold there and I'd like to try that. No little kids with us. My son is 27 and we are here in Montana visiting him now. My husband is a combat vet with severe PTSD and doesn't do big crowds well in certain settings, so that's why we have no interest in Sturgis during that week. Maybe another time not during bike week. This trip has been heavenly, so I'm sure we will drive out here again from Michigan. It's been ungodly hot this time around and I'd like to come in the fall instead. That's when I usually visit my son and family but I usually fly so this road trip is a first. I'm loving it! I'll be sure to look for your displays! |
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