Part 3 September 6-September 13

Day 17 Tuesday September 6
We left Helena and headed South on I-15 to exit 192 taking highway 287 South to I-90. We drove East on I-90 to Billings, Montana. We spent the night at Yellowstone River RV Park space 46.
Drove 248 miles today.

Day 18 Wednesday September 7
Left the Billings park and headed East on I-90. At the junction with I-25 went south one mile to exit 199 in Buffalo, Wyoming to Indian Campground and RV Park space B-1.
Drove 164 miles today.

Day 19 Thursday September 8
Left Buffalo and head East on I-90. Got off at exit 61 in Rapid City, South Dakota and took the truck route to hwy 16. A short distance North on 16 we stopped at Lazy J RV Park, space 44. We had a very pleasant drive today.
Drove 228 miles today.

Day 20 Friday September 9
Today we went to Mount Rushmore and saw the presidents. Not too may people as the kids were back in school and the weather was great. Temperature in the 70’s and sunny. After eating our lunch there we drove highway 244 East to highway 16 and went North to Hill City where we stopped at a rock shop and looked around. We continued to a KOA Campground where we plan to go Saturday night for German food and music. Met some nice people there getting the music and food ready. Drove by Pactola Lake (reservoir) .We continued driving back to Rapid City. After dinner we went to the Western Dakota Gem and Mineral Society meeting which was held in a senior center on the West side of town. Lots of nice people there. I donated some copper ore Judy and I got at the Argo mine near Helena for there drawing. They told me of some places to go where I might find some Fairburn agates and some gumball agates. Fun day. Judy was surprised that there are mountains here in South Dakota with lots of trees and lakes and streams.

Day 21 Saturday September 10
Busy and fun day. We got up early and drove 40 miles to Scenic, SD and then drove about 1.25 miles into the bad lands, actually, the Badlands National Grasslands and went rock hounding. We found a area with lots of nice agates and jasper. Went back home for lunch. Then we headed off to the Crazy Horse Monument. We spent a few hours looking at the native American exhibits as well as the Crazy Horse sculpture. Judy and I then went to Polkapalooza, a German Oktoberfest early, with brats, sauerkraut, and German potato salad and beer. And the dancing. polka’s, rock and roll, chicken dance, etc. Lots of fun. Driving back home we were passing Mount Rushmore and remembered the 8 pm light show so we swung in to see it.
It was very nice. Whew.

Day 22 Sunday September 11
We went to church this morning at the Catholic cathedral. It was a more modern church compared to the one we went to in Helena. After lunch we went to Custer state park and did the wildlife drive. We saw antelope, wild donkeys, prairie dogs and one bison. The big bison herd was not visible from the road.

There are some tunnels on the Iron Mt. portion of the drive which gives a direct view of Mount Rushmore. The road goes through what is called the needles which is very spectacular with the granite spires. The special spire is called the eye of the needle for obvious reasons.
Since we took a slow drive and stopped at many places it was getting late so we went out to dinner at a local non-tourist place and the food was very good.

Day 23 Monday September 12
Today we went to Badlands National Park. We took the freeway past Wall Drug and went to the Eastern entrance. After stopping at the visitor center and watching a video, we headed out on the drive. We stopped at most of the overlooks, etc and enjoyed a windy lunch. Along the drive we saw prairie dogs, mountain sheep, and bison.
A very enjoyable day.

Day 24 Tuesday September 13
We left Rapid City and headed East on I-90. We just had to stop at Wall Drug just to say Judy had been there. Crossed over the Missouri R. and for Judy the first time seeing the river outside of Montana. Continuing on we drove to Mitchell, South Dakota, home of the “famous” Corn Palace. Didn’t go there. Spent the night at Famil-E-Fun Camp. This was a very nice place in amongst the trees.