Beautiful Karamursel
Beautiful Karamursel
Nebraska South Dakota Part 2
Nebraska South Dakota Part 2
Day 4, Tuesday July 14, 2015
The first part of our trip was visiting places that Beth was familiar with since her grandparents lived in Crawford, Nebraska. Some of her best memories are the visits she made here when younger.
Beside the beauty of the buttes, mesas, and plains around Fort Robinson, Crawford is just a few miles south of the Black Hills of South Dakota. The evening before we had driven and walked around the stores in Hot Springs. Early this morning we left our motel and headed north on Hwy 385, then Hwy 87 to Wind Cave National Park.
Beth taking a picture of a Buffalo.
This buffalo stop was just before Wind Cave.
This buffalo stop was just before Wind Cave.
Established on January 3, 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt, it was the seventh national park and the first cave to be designated a national park anywhere in the world
The cave is recognized as the densest cave system in the world, with the greatest passage volume per cubic mile. Wind Cave is the seventh longest cave in the world with 154.2 miles (248.16 km) of explored cave passageways (as of 2021) and the third longest cave in the United States.
The first documented discovery of the cave by white Americans was in 1881, when the brothers Tom and Jesse Bingham heard wind rushing out from a 10-inch (25 cm) by 14-inch (36 cm) hole in the ground. According to the story, when Tom looked into the hole, the wind exiting the cave blew his hat off of his head.
Established on January 3, 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt, it was the seventh national park and the first cave to be designated a national park anywhere in the world
The cave is recognized as the densest cave system in the world, with the greatest passage volume per cubic mile. Wind Cave is the seventh longest cave in the world with 154.2 miles (248.16 km) of explored cave passageways (as of 2021) and the third longest cave in the United States.
The first documented discovery of the cave by white Americans was in 1881, when the brothers Tom and Jesse Bingham heard wind rushing out from a 10-inch (25 cm) by 14-inch (36 cm) hole in the ground. According to the story, when Tom looked into the hole, the wind exiting the cave blew his hat off of his head.
This building, the visitor center, is built over the modern entrance to the cave. After taking an hour tour walking through a small part near the surface, we shopped in the gift shop. Then we turned onto Hwy 385 to Pringle, then north on up to the Crazy Horse Memorial.
They are slowly carving this giant memorial to Chief Crazy Horse in the side of the mountain. You can see in the picture where the outline of the Horses head will be carved.
The entrance to the Visitor Center.
This visitor center was huge, with many different rooms. There were all kings of artifacts, gifts, and Indian items in Here. Anything Indian related was here to purchase, you just had to look long enough to find it.
The walls inside were covered with paintings and pictures. Just beautiful!
Outside the visitor center was a replica of what the finished memorial will look like.
We left the Crazy Horse memorial and drove to the Mount Rushmore memorial. All along the different roads in the area are souvenir and gift shops. You can spend as much time looking at them as you wish. You can shop till you drop!
Outside the visitor center was a replica of what the finished memorial will look like.
We left the Crazy Horse memorial and drove to the Mount Rushmore memorial. All along the different roads in the area are souvenir and gift shops. You can spend as much time looking at them as you wish. You can shop till you drop!
The entrance to The Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
There were lots of people from all over the world there that day. The monument was very striking and very impressive.
Between 1927 and 1941, with the help of over 400 workers and influential politicians, sculptor Gutzon Borglum began carving this massive memorial to the history of America. For the Crazy Horse memorial to be completed in a timely manner, it looks like the government will need to be involved. It took 14 years with government help and all those workers to complete the four presidents carving. Each of the faces are about 60 feet tall with the whole carving to be around 300 ft. wide.
There were lots of people from all over the world there that day. The monument was very striking and very impressive.
Between 1927 and 1941, with the help of over 400 workers and influential politicians, sculptor Gutzon Borglum began carving this massive memorial to the history of America. For the Crazy Horse memorial to be completed in a timely manner, it looks like the government will need to be involved. It took 14 years with government help and all those workers to complete the four presidents carving. Each of the faces are about 60 feet tall with the whole carving to be around 300 ft. wide.
You walk down this flag lined corridor that leads to a large outdoor theater located below the presidents.
At the top of the theater is a gift and souvenir shop. What a view to see as you look at all the items.
At the top of the theater is a gift and souvenir shop. What a view to see as you look at all the items.
This monument was huge. You need to be there for your 5 senses to kick in. A picture is nice, but it is not like being there. After walking around the Monument, we shopped and finally headed back to Hot Springs to our motel for the second night there.
After leaving the Monument, we filled up with Gas here near Hot Springs. We look for the Dinosaur when traveling. We spent our second night at the Hills Inn Motel in Hot Springs.
Day 5, Wednesday July 15, 2015
The next morning we left our motel, drove east on Hwy 385, and turned north on Hwy 79. At Interstate 90 we turned east and headed to Wall, South Dakota.
Wall Drug Store
I had heard about the Wall Drug Store for years. I imagined a small store on the Hwy to stop in and shop. Oh how my perception was wrong. The Drug Store is huge, with many different rooms, displays, and gifts. A person could spend hours in here. But this is just one store in Wall. This city is a shopper’s paradise. Gold, jewelry, clothing, and gifts are in many different shops all over town. We spent much more time here than we expected.
Wall Drug Store
I had heard about the Wall Drug Store for years. I imagined a small store on the Hwy to stop in and shop. Oh how my perception was wrong. The Drug Store is huge, with many different rooms, displays, and gifts. A person could spend hours in here. But this is just one store in Wall. This city is a shopper’s paradise. Gold, jewelry, clothing, and gifts are in many different shops all over town. We spent much more time here than we expected.
Inside the entrance hall at the Wall Drug Store.
Michelle and a cowboy.
Mike, cowboy, and Michelle on another bench to rest on.
Handsome fellow!
Michelle and Beth walking into one of the stores.
The whole town is just full of nice places to shop. We finally tore ourselves away from town and headed across Interstate 90 to the closest entrance to the park (Hwy 240).
Michelle and Mike at the entrance sign.
This park was much bigger than we thought.
Antelope would come right up to the cars.
The animals walk across the steepest inclines. This picture contains one in the middle and others in the upper left corner. It seems like they spend more time walking along the side of a steep cliff than they spend walking on top of a ridge.
I am not sure of the proper species.
Beth the photographer.
Beautiful wild flowers.
Near the parking lot of the visitor center, people were climbing up some vertical trails. We had spent much more time this day in the city of Walls and in the park. It was close to dark by the time we drove 90 miles back to Rapid City. We slept that night at the Sleep Inn and Suite and were relieved to find a room.
Day 6, Thursday July 16, 2015
That morning we left the motel and continued west on Interstate 90. We drove through Sturgis, Spearfish, and then entered Wyoming. At Sundance, we turned north on Hwy 14 and then headed for the Devils Tower.
Near the parking lot of the visitor center, people were climbing up some vertical trails. We had spent much more time this day in the city of Walls and in the park. It was close to dark by the time we drove 90 miles back to Rapid City. We slept that night at the Sleep Inn and Suite and were relieved to find a room.
Day 6, Thursday July 16, 2015
That morning we left the motel and continued west on Interstate 90. We drove through Sturgis, Spearfish, and then entered Wyoming. At Sundance, we turned north on Hwy 14 and then headed for the Devils Tower.
Our fist glimpse of the tower.
Beth and Michelle walking taking pictures.
Driving closer
Just before you enter the park is a large gift shop. It was fun looking at all the items that were in here.
Beth and Michelle as we came out of the trading post. When leaving here and turning onto the park entrance road you climb steadily uphill.
At the top is the Ranger Station, Visitor Center, and parking lot. We toured inside the station and then started walking up the hill to the trail.
The 1.3 mile Tower trail goes completely around the tower and has beautiful vistas to see as you walk around. Most of the trail is level and easy to walk. There are other longer trails around the park that make a much bigger circle.
Looking back down the mountain towards the trading post.
In the middle of picture you can see climbers on a ledge.
On the way down we drove past a prairie dog town.
They love to chatter.
Beautiful wildflowers
After leaving the tower we retraced back to Sundance on Interstate 90. Then we took Hwy 585 south to Four Corners, then Hwy 85 down to Lusk.
Beautiful wildflowers
After leaving the tower we retraced back to Sundance on Interstate 90. Then we took Hwy 585 south to Four Corners, then Hwy 85 down to Lusk.
Lusk, Wyoming is an interesting cowboy, Indian, and farm town.
Downtown Lusk.
We continued south on Hwy 85 to Lingle, where we turned Southeast onto Hwy 26 to Scottsbluff.
Downtown Lusk.
We continued south on Hwy 85 to Lingle, where we turned Southeast onto Hwy 26 to Scottsbluff.
Scottsbluff’s mountains containing the monument.
We spent the night here at the Comfort Inn in Scottsbluff.
We parked by this car that had the coolest advertising wrap. We liked all the colors that definitely got your attention.
Day 7, Friday July 17, 2015
We left early that morning and continued southeast on Hwy 26 to the Chimney Rock National Historic Site.
We parked by this car that had the coolest advertising wrap. We liked all the colors that definitely got your attention.
Day 7, Friday July 17, 2015
We left early that morning and continued southeast on Hwy 26 to the Chimney Rock National Historic Site.
We stopped here for everyone to get out of the car and take pictures.
Michelle
Chimney Rock in Nebraska was the most noted landmarks on the Oregon, Mormon, Overland, and California Trails.
Sign at Entrance
Sign at Entrance
Because we started out early, it was still over an hour for the visitor center to open, so we walked around outside. The hours of operation are seven days a week from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Beautiful Sunflower
Beautiful Sunflower
I thought about walking over to the monument and climbing around until I read this sign. That changed my mind. We were having a good trip and I did not want to risk spoiling it. After walking around outside the visitor center, we decided not to wait, and left.
BNSF train. We saw many. We continued down Hwy 26 to Bridgeport.
At Bridgeport was this BNSF Depot. I went inside and talked with the work gang. My dad worked for the Santa Fe Railroad, and I grew up in my early years around train depots. They were very friendly and loved talking about the past. Also, some of their fathers had worked on the railroad and introduced them to trains at a young age.
Then we continued down Hwy 26 to Oshkosh, then Hwy 27 down to the South Platte River area at Julesburg, Colorado.
There was much more to see here than I imagined.
Remember the movie, “Dancing with Wolves”? Part of it was filmed near here. Also, Fort Sedgwick was mentioned in the movie. For centuries, massive herds of buffalo thrived on the lush prairie grasses and vegetation that grew near the South Platte River. By 1876, “hide hunters” nearly exterminated the species. Only since the demise of the buffalo have trees been able to flourish along the Platte River.
The Union Pacific Transcontinental Railroad reached here in June of 1867.
In 1860-61, the Pony Express mail service, the first communications highway, carried telegraph dispatches and letters between St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California. Julesburg was the site of the only home station in Colorado. The first news of the Civil War outbreak was carried west by these riders.
There were a lot of Indian raids in this area around the end of the Civil War. Traders, trappers, settlers and gold seekers forded the South Platte River at the Upper California Crossing as they pushed westward in search of wealth, land, and freedom. Traffic on the Overland, California, and Pony Express Trails were drawn to the easy river crossing. Also nearby was Jules Beni’s trading post. If you were traveling west, the odds were that you would pass nearby this area.
The South Platte River Trail Scenic and Historic Byway begins and ends at the Colorado Welcome Center, located at the Julesburg exit on Interstate 76. This 19 mile byway follows pathways famous in both historical and fictional publication. It leads past three of the four Julesburgs as well as Fort Sedgwick of “Dance with Wolves” fame. Presently, all that is left standing of the fort is a flagpole in its location.
Julesburg Colorado was the largest change station on the Pony Express Route in the area. We enjoyed looking at this museum in town. Julesburg was named after Jules Beni, the only man to have four towns in one state carry his name.
There was much more to see here than I imagined.
Remember the movie, “Dancing with Wolves”? Part of it was filmed near here. Also, Fort Sedgwick was mentioned in the movie. For centuries, massive herds of buffalo thrived on the lush prairie grasses and vegetation that grew near the South Platte River. By 1876, “hide hunters” nearly exterminated the species. Only since the demise of the buffalo have trees been able to flourish along the Platte River.
The Union Pacific Transcontinental Railroad reached here in June of 1867.
In 1860-61, the Pony Express mail service, the first communications highway, carried telegraph dispatches and letters between St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California. Julesburg was the site of the only home station in Colorado. The first news of the Civil War outbreak was carried west by these riders.
There were a lot of Indian raids in this area around the end of the Civil War. Traders, trappers, settlers and gold seekers forded the South Platte River at the Upper California Crossing as they pushed westward in search of wealth, land, and freedom. Traffic on the Overland, California, and Pony Express Trails were drawn to the easy river crossing. Also nearby was Jules Beni’s trading post. If you were traveling west, the odds were that you would pass nearby this area.
The South Platte River Trail Scenic and Historic Byway begins and ends at the Colorado Welcome Center, located at the Julesburg exit on Interstate 76. This 19 mile byway follows pathways famous in both historical and fictional publication. It leads past three of the four Julesburgs as well as Fort Sedgwick of “Dance with Wolves” fame. Presently, all that is left standing of the fort is a flagpole in its location.
Julesburg Colorado was the largest change station on the Pony Express Route in the area. We enjoyed looking at this museum in town. Julesburg was named after Jules Beni, the only man to have four towns in one state carry his name.
The Fort Sedgwick Museum. The Overland, Oregon, and California Trails ran through here beside the South Platte River.
Small train at the Museum.
We left there and drove south on Hwy 385 in Colorado to Wray, Burlington, and Granada. We tuned east onto Hwy 50 and crossed into Kansas. Then we traveled on to Garden City where we turned south onto Hwy 83. We spent that night at the Quality Inn in Liberal Kansas, right on the Oklahoma panhandle border.
Small train at the Museum.
We left there and drove south on Hwy 385 in Colorado to Wray, Burlington, and Granada. We tuned east onto Hwy 50 and crossed into Kansas. Then we traveled on to Garden City where we turned south onto Hwy 83. We spent that night at the Quality Inn in Liberal Kansas, right on the Oklahoma panhandle border.
Day 8, Saturday July 18, 2015
The next day we woke up early and after breakfast we continued on Hwy 83, through the Oklahoma panhandle into Texas. Then 83 to Perryton, Canadian, and Shamrock.
Day 8, Saturday July 18, 2015
The next day we woke up early and after breakfast we continued on Hwy 83, through the Oklahoma panhandle into Texas. Then 83 to Perryton, Canadian, and Shamrock.
There were many wind turbines in the area.
There were many wind turbines in the area.
Notice the rollercoaster road.
Notice the rollercoaster road.
At Shamrock, we ran into Interstate 40 and the old Route 66. This Art Deco Conoco Filling station was used as a pattern in the CARS movie.
Then we continued south on Hwy 83 to Childress where we turned east on Hwy 287. Then 287 to Wichita Falls, then Hwy 82 to Sherman and Bells. There we turned south on Hwy 69 to Greenville, Mineola, and Lindale. Then I-20 to Kilgore, and then home.
We had a wonderful trip. Car trips make great memories for a lifetime. There is no substitute for being there. People miss out with the modern virtual reality trend. The five senses expand our perception far more than just that of an image.
Actual travel and meeting people is worth far more than whatever discomforts are encountered. Get out your maps and plan for a wonderful trip to where you have always dreamed of going. When you start planning, you are halfway there.
At Shamrock, we ran into Interstate 40 and the old Route 66. This Art Deco Conoco Filling station was used as a pattern in the CARS movie.
Then we continued south on Hwy 83 to Childress where we turned east on Hwy 287. Then 287 to Wichita Falls, then Hwy 82 to Sherman and Bells. There we turned south on Hwy 69 to Greenville, Mineola, and Lindale. Then I-20 to Kilgore, and then home.
We had a wonderful trip. Car trips make great memories for a lifetime. There is no substitute for being there. People miss out with the modern virtual reality trend. The five senses expand our perception far more than just that of an image.
Actual travel and meeting people is worth far more than whatever discomforts are encountered. Get out your maps and plan for a wonderful trip to where you have always dreamed of going. When you start planning, you are halfway there.