DAY 2 – June 13, 2013 – BILLINGS, MONTANA to RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA

I did not sleep well last night probably because I ate so late then went to bed.  Ready to make my breakfast in the morning and realized that I did not bring a bowl. L That makes two things I forgot…the other was olive oil.

Because I did not sleep well, I was up way too early. Not a problem, I just left earlier than planned. Decided to gas up in Sheridan, Wyoming and because I took a wrong turn leaving the station, I found myself in front of a Safeway…See? There are no mistakes; I just went in and bought some bowls and olive oil!

FINALLY found my way to Mt. Rushmore. I got a little confused and did not really realize that I was still in Wyoming when I was looking for my exit (number 57). No wonder the woman at the information center thought I was a little cuckoo and seemed a little condescending in giving me directions. Okay, I was looking for highway 16…Highway 16 runs right outside this building…This is Exit 58…. So, I get back on I-90 when I have a thought…. Ah, duh, Mt. Rushmore is in SOUTH DAKOTA!  EXIT 57 in SOUTH DAKOTA! Mt. Rushmore was not overly crowded…people yes, but not huge numbers. There were some tour buses and about 100 bikers (maybe I exaggerate a little). They were all the” Vets Helping Vets” bikers and they were seriously enjoying themselves (although their girlfriends seemed to be making sure no other girls were looking at their men; I do not mess with Biker Chicks.). Mt. Rushmore is much more “touristy” then the last time I was there (a hundred years ago) – flags, short hikes, lots of concrete and marble. Impressive.

Off to Crazy Horse Monument. The sculpture is still a work-in-progress. This monument is a tribute for ALL tribes and the original sculptor (who has since died) refused to take any government funding. His children have taken up the mission and the center relies on entrance fees and donations to continue the work. When finished, this will be the nation’s Indian Center complete with educational/cultural area, the original log cabin, Natives selling their crafts, a museum. They show a 20-minute film of the area and the sculptor and his family, as well as Crazy Horse history. Their vision is more than impressive. The first photo is the unfinished version; face and arm visible. The bottom photo is the model...if you look under the model's arm you can see the unfinished sculpture.

On the drive back to my hotel, I see signs for a couple of different tasting rooms: Red Ass Rhubarb Wine and Naked Wine. The names surprise me; I didn't think they would be names for South Dakota but I COULD see them in Seattle, LA, or even San Francisco. I am slightly curious about how they taste but did not stop because I am a bit directionally challenged and was afraid I would get lost. J

My night ends with dinner. I walk into the diner and my server is the TWIN to one of my Navajo students from several years ago; the server is Sioux. Unbelievable resemblance! As I am leaving, a family walks in and the mother is a TWIN to my friend in Florida. What’s up with that? Two within thirty minutes?

Except for the wind, the weather has been good so far.