NEEDLES HIGHWAY IN PARK

The next morning we took a ride on the Needles highway in Custer State Park, which is full of beautiful scenery.

When I looked closer at the rock above, I could see a rock climber close to the top.

He made it!

And now he's repelling down the side.

To some like our son Russ, who used to teach repelling to the Boy Scouts, I'm sure it looks like fun-chicken that I am, I'd rather just watch.

ANIMAL LOOP IN CUSTER STATE PARK

We took the animal loop in Custer State Park at dusk because it's a prime time to see animals. It proved to be productive. The first animals we saw were two large elk. They were moving, so a picture was difficult.

Our second herd of buffalo for the day. This is just a snippet-there were several hundred.

Throughout the loop we saw a wild turkey, 6 button buck deer, 17 white tail deer, 6 antelope and 26 pronghorns.

And, just for Mulert, one more big herd! Ain't they just gorgeous! He was in buffalo Heaven!

They even got up close and personal!

HOT SPRINGS MAMMOTH SITE

This is one of the strangest things we've been to. When they were about to build houses on this land, they found some bones-that was 35 years ago. They were able to identify them as mammoth bones and they've been digging ever since. They think there was a sink hole here and it filled with water. Mammoths came along and went for a swim, but then couldn't get out of the hole. Eventually the water drained out and the bones were left, but covered up. they built a building over the area and do the digging inside.

Here's most of a body-the ribs are easy to see.

Here's a skull and tusks.

More bones.

There's also a museum area which is interesting.

We were too late to take a peek in the lab, but I'll bet it was interesting.

MORE ABOUT CRAZY HORSE

There's a large museum at Crazy Horse. Here's a picture of them working on it in winter.

There are many collections and exhibits.

This is the bead collection.

They even had a family that danced.

You also got to see the sculptors studio.

One of the things that tickled me was Crazy Horses' family history. I tease Don about his one family with Luppo,Tybo, Harpo, etc. Some of these names are worse!

They also have a laser show at 9:30 every night. It was nice,but difficult to get pictures. It's also free if you ask for a ticket when you're there.

CRAZY HORSE MONUMENT

They started carving Crazy Horse in 1948 and they have many, many years to go. The grandchildren of the sculptor are now being trained in using explosives. Hopefully our grandchildren will be able to see it completed. This is a plaster replica to show the finished product.

They're working on the horses head now-it will be 12 stories tall.





I guess I could mention who they are. The sculptor died several years ago and since then his wife has been in charge. Seven of their 10 children are involved in some way in finishing the project, along with many grandchildren. They blast every June and September on their parents birthdays. They almost have the rocks from the June blast cleaned up already.

This is a picture of his face head on.

MOUNT RUSHMORE AT NIGHT

At 9 o'clock every night, they have a short, patriotic ceremony at Mount Rushmore, which is free if you've been there already. They end it by lighting it, which is impressive.

Closer.

Really neat!

MOUNT RUSHMORE MUSEUM

Part of the experience at Mount Rushmore is learning how the sculptor accomplished such a creation. It's amazing! Here are the plaster casts of a couple of their faces.

Here it shows them working on it.

Even though the sculptor died, his son finished the project.

I sneaked a peek at a child drawing her version of the creation.

When you leave and drive down the highway, you can see Washington's profile.