South Dakota, Part 2

I wanted to see Jewel Cave because I think caves are fascinating and beautiful.  Unfortunately, by the time we arrived in the afternoon, the tours were sold out and it was our only day in this part of South Dakota.  I'm thinking another "big" RV trip is in our future!

CUSTER CITY

 Buffalo (bison) are decorated all over town

The old courthouse, which is now a museum

Another museum

A former bank

BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK

The "yellow mounds" and they really are yellow.  By now, the sky was turning blue!

WALL, SOUTH DAKOTA

Wall Drug was bought by the Hustead family in December, 1931. Google "Wall Drug history" and get the whole interesting story of how it came to be a landmark.  It is quite the ''tourist trap''!!!

DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. . .

The weather continued to be threatening but with little or no rain in our travels.

Sunrise at the RV park, Hermosa

 STURGIS, SOUTH DAKOTA

Sturgis, a week after the rally, was almost a ghost town, especially after learning more than 450,000 people attended the rally.  It had to be crazy trying to get around.  A stop at the Motorcycle Museum was a must and it wasn't disappointing.  Among all the motorcycle memorabilia and other reminders of years gone by was a 4-H Record Book!  I had totally forgotten about those books so it brought back a fond memory of my time spent in the Atlanta 4-H Club many years ago.

Where have all the Harleys gone???  One week after the rally.

1949 Indian Papoose, developed for the British Army during WWII

1949 "Sundance" built by a Texan who invented a drill bit for drilling oil in the 1950's.  He did all the engraving on the bike.  In the 1950's this bike was one of the most expensive in the world.

1962 Sears Allstate, could be purchased at your local Sears-Roebuck Store or out of their catalog

1910 Indian Tri-car, a seat was mounted between the two front tires to hold a passenger 

4-H record book, I used one like this around 1960!

FORT MEADE, the Peace Keeper Post

Fort Meade was established in 1878 to protect the miners and settlers who were going to the gold fields in the Lead-Deadwood area.  During the 1930's it was a base for the Civilian Conservation Corps and   since 1944, it has been a Veterans Administration Hospital.  Some of the buildings that were used as living quarters for the early soldiers now are being used by the South Dakota National Guard.

How "The Star Spangled Banner" became our National Anthem

The parade ground 

Former commanding officer's headquarters, originally the second floor was the fort ballroom, now houses a museum - built in 1905

Stone covered residence

Officer's quarters - built in 1906

DEADWOOD

The courthouse 

Adams House museum

Cute houses

Cute car

Another cute car!

Wild Bill Hickok's grave at Mt. Moriah Cemetery
May 27, 1837 - August 2, 1876

Calamity Jane's grave, next to Wild Bill's - her last request was to be buried next to him
May 1, 1852 - August 1, 1903

The "Medicine Man" street show

Lee was hooked! with Bubbles

Saloon No. 10

CHAPEL IN THE HILLS

Chapel in the Hills was built in 1969 in Rapid City, South Dakota.  It is an exact replica of Borgund Stavkirke of Laerdal, Norway which was built around 1150.  The name Stavkirke comes from the use of staves (large pillars) to support the structure.  Instead of using nails, wooden dowels were used.

Log cabin built in 1876 by Edward Nielsen, a Norwegian immigrant,
who came to the Black Hills to prospect for gold.

A stabbur, or grass-roofed house, now the visitor center and gift shop