SOUTH DAKOTA
One of my favorite trips was a trip that my hubby and I took to South Dakota. We flew out and rented a car--spent the week sightseeing.
One of the first things we went to was Mount Rushmore.
Each states flag is displayed and a plaque with the states entrance into the union.
It is so majestic up close!!
Just 17 miles from Mt. Rushmore is the Crazy Horse Monument. This is the worlds largest sculpture and it is still in progress. It was started in 1948 and after the sculptors death in the 1980's his children have taken over the quest. It is a non profit undertaking, all done by donations. When it is finished it will be longer than a cruise ship and taller than a 60 story skyscraper. It is being sculptured in the Thunderhead Mountain.
This is what the final sculpture will look like.
I did not get a picture of Crazy Horse as it is now, so this one is from the Internet.
His face measures 88'.
The Badlands cannot be missed. The colors in the rock formations are beautiful. Lots of pinks!
We visited Wind Cave-another beautiful site.
This really took us by surprise, South Dakota has 19,000 recorded archaeological and paleontological sites.
We visited the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, South Dakota. This is the largest concentration of Colombian and Woolly Mammoths ever found in their primary content (where they died). It is remarkable to see the shapes and bones of them laying right there before you!!!
There are many hands-on activities for children--would be a wonderful place to take the whole family.
The Indian culture, the breathtaking badlands and black hills made this trip one to remember.
Ann