Road Trip

If you are ever in the Black Hills, be sure to check out Iron Mountain Road. It is 17 miles long, with one lane bridges and tunnels. We took this on our way to Hot Springs. Iron Mountain Road winds thru the Black Hills. There are couple places you can pull off to take increditible pictures. Tho they are at different angles and distances, you are eye level with Mount Rushmore. We drove this route to get to Hot Springs, but I warn you, it is not just the 17 miles of this road, but you end up in Custer State Park. Now we just driving through so we didn't have to buy the pass for the park. There are several signs warning about the animals roam freely and do not approach the buffalo, they are dangerous. Ok, so I was thinking it must be like the deer crossing signs we see here and never see a deer. Wrong!!! We came around a corner to a meadow and there was a buffalo walking. He didn't notice us. It was sad to see him, he was walking very slow and his head was down. We were trying to figure out why he was alone. Was he too old or sick and the others left him or kicked him out of the herd to die???

A couple meadows later we found a herd of about 30-40. One was taking his old sweet time getting across the road. Great picture opportunity!!!! We also saw elk and deer as well.

After driving a remarkable 70 miles, we were still in Custer State Park. There was only one place we could exist the area, but it would take us back to Keystone. Not where we were heading.

Anyway, take the long road and enjoy the scenery, but don't take it if you are in a hurry, you don't want to miss the wonders God has put here for us to enjoy in our great country.

Road Trip - Continued

Our trip started about 8:30 am on Thursday, July 9th. I am hoping to have my pictures from the trip downloaded tonight so I can share some of them with you. We stopped in Owatonna, MN for breakfast and continued out to the Black Hills. The second season is also going strong in SD - road construction. Between here and the Black Hills, we hit 3 different sections of road construction. The first was 17 miles long, the second was 23 miles, the third not sure but after a while they all seem to go on forever.

When we started out the weather was a little chilly, but as we got closer to the Black Hills, it started to warm up. It was in the 80's and sunny. We made a quick stop in Wall, SD to get a homemade donut. These are not your ordinary donuts. They are thick and very good. As it was getting late, we were in a hurry to get to our hotel. That night as I layed in bed, thankful for the safe travel and good weather, I heard the start of a thunderstorm and prayed it would be over by the time we headed out in the morning.

Road Trip

Dad and I got back from our 5 day road trip last night. It was great!!!!! We went to the Black Hills in South Dakota, down into Nebraska, across Nebraska to Dixon, NE, where his dad was born and lived for 17 years, then to West Bend, IA, to see the Grotto of the Redemption, then home. Lots of windshield time, but a lot more fun. We had great weather and good roads. Ok we did have some road construction. Thanksfully it was going out to the Black Hills. The first stretch was 17 miles (felt like 30) the second stretch was 23 miles and I believe there was another one in there too. Of course we also hit road construction on 35 back here in MN. I will try to share more of our trip in the coming days.