Well, we finally made it to Keystone, SD, which is very near Mt. Rushmore. We left Kearney about 9:00 AM and arrived here about 6:00 PM, Mountain time. Yeah, we are now in the third time zone. Thought Mt. Rushmore was only about 300 miles from Kearney and thought the GPS had screwed up with an estimate of 428 miles. IT WAS RIGHT AFTER ALL! This was a long day's drive and it was good to finally get unpacked.
On the trip from Kearney to South Dakota, we saw flat land with corn, soy beans, and hay rolls, rolling hills with the same crops and cattle farms, and some fairly rough landscapes when we hit the Black Hills. What changes in scenery and landscapes. Really enjoyed the changes we saw.
These photos were taken on Labor Day. That is Norman's WWII Piper L14 that he restored - The only one in the entire world that is flying. I had ridden in that plane two times previously. Then we have Sheila sitting in the rear seat of the Ryan Navion, and Norman flying the Navion over the Pleasanton farmlands. Last, we have Rex with his 1928 John Deere tractor that was purchased new by his father. It runs like a charm. He has modified the seat to make it a little more comfortable and safer when he drives it in parades since he fell off the fender while someone else was driving it. Wish I had toys like these two brothers.
Driving from Kearney to Keystone, SD, Sheila and I had cousin withdrawal. We had had so much fun with my cousins and their families and we just kept retelling the stories and recalling our Pleasanton adventures. This has been the best part of the trip so far. Have a nice motel near Mt. Rushmore, but had the worst meal in years at the restaurant next to the motel. K
We is in the badlands. French Canadian trappers many years ago came across this country and called it the badlands. The Sioux had already called it Dakota (Badland). No time yet to sightsee but did stop into a jewelry store to have a look see at Black Hills Gold, made only in, you guessed it the Black Hills. Tomorrow plan to see Mt. Rushmore and CrazyHorse monument. It's kind of odd that here you have Custer State Park, and when finished the worlds largest monument to Crazy Horse who led the charge at Little Big Horn which was Custers demise. More to follow tomorrow. S
Awesome pictures..can't believe how good that John Deere looks..and boy are we getting a history lesson here..love all the details..what a travel log you guys have going here..so Sheila, did you pick up a piece of Black Hills gold?..enjoy Rushmore..looking forward to more of your adventures..
ReplyDeleteLove, Kate & Kel