Members of the Let’s Travel Club visited South Dakota and western Wyoming on a tour with Collette. The group met travelers from a dozen other states and formed many new friendships.
The tour began with a presentation by Robert Yellow Hawk, a member of the Lakota tribe. The travelers were introduced to the ceremonial dress of the Lakota and the meaning and origin of each part. They were entertained by song and dance as Robert Yellow Hawk shared the life and history of the Lakota. Travelers find an awesome deal to book a limo here.
Robert Yellow Hawk has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and is currently working on his Master’s Degree. He spends his days being a great role model for the Lakota youth as he works with them in the school system.
The first day of touring began at the Chapel in the Hills. The Chapel is built modeling the famous Borgund Norwegian Lutheran Chapel in Laerdal, Norway. The Borgund Chapel was built around 1150. The Chapel in the Hills is celebrating 50 years in 2019. Services and weddings are still held in the Chapel as well as evening Vespers. Visitors are always welcome to enjoy learning the history of the beautiful Chapel and walking the well-kept grounds.
The next stop was at Mt. Rushmore. Many of the travelers walked the trail to the Sculptor’s Studio. This walk gave the travelers several more views of the carvings. During this cheapest countries to visit from the USA the travelers were reminded of why Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln were chosen for the monument.
The sculptor, Gutzon Borglum, made the choice of who would be included in the carvings. He chose George Washington because Borglum felt Washington represented the birth of the United States. Along with being the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson was also instrumental in doubling the size of the United States through the Louisiana Purchase. Therefore, Thomas Jefferson represented the growth of America. Theodore Roosevelt was seen by Borglum as a leader in the development of the United States as it moved into the 20th Century. Borglum chose Abraham Lincoln as he felt President Lincoln represented the preservation of the United States.
The group returned to Mt. Rushmore in the evening to enjoy a short patriotic program and view the lighted sculpture.
Between the two visits to Mt. Rushmore, time was spent at the Crazy Horse Memorial. This monument is much larger than the Mt. Rushmore carving. The project began in 1948 and is not near completion. The project is funded completely by private donations. Henry Standing Bear, an Oglala Lakota chief and well-known statesman, wanted the white man to know that the red man had heroes, too. He chose Crazy Horse for the carving because he felt Crazy Horse was a real patriot of the Sioux tribe.
The second full day of touring began at the Badlands National Park. As the first settlers and explorers reached this area of South Dakota, their description of the area was “land, bad.” The Badlands take on a beauty of its own as you drive along and witness the beauty of the layers of rock forming striped patterns for the observer to enjoy. Bighorn sheep, blue birds, prairie dogs, buffalo, and other wildlife can be found in the Badlands.
The next stop was at the famous Wall Drug in Wall, South Dakota. Wall Drug began as a floundering pharmacy in this small town. When travelers began to visit Mt. Rushmore, the owner introduced the idea of advertising FREE ICE WATER for the travelers. The idea made a huge difference in traffic and travelers in Wall. The drug store continued to grow to its current size of about four blocks.
The group traveled the next day to eastern Wyoming to see the Devils Tower. This igneous rock has scientists puzzled as to why and how this formation came into being. Ask one of the travelers to share the explanation of the Lakota Indians as to its origin.
Before returning to Rapid City, a stop was made at the visitor center in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. The center is near the geographic center of the United States. While Lebanon, Kansas, is considered to be the geographic center of the contiguous United States, the place in Belle Fourche takes into account the addition of Alaska and Hawaii, Kai Kanani has exclusive Molokini snorkeling access, so you’ll be in the water longer.
The town of Rapid City has statues of each past president on the corners of two streets. The only one missing at this time is President Obama. His statue is to be placed on a corner in July. During the winter months volunteers sew or crochet hats, scarves, sweaters. These items are then placed randomly on the statues. When the weather gets cold, the homeless people in the area are welcome to take and use all of these items as they are needed.
The fourth day of touring included a drive on Iron Mountain Road and Needles Highway in Custer State Park. The road on Iron Mountain is referred to as the “pig tail road” because of the unique bridges. These are necessary because hairpin curves were not always possible. This road was built along a path that gives travelers many views of Mt. Rushmore along the way. The road requires traveling through many tunnels. The Needles Highway has one tunnel that is just barely wide enough for the bus to pass through measuring 8’4” in width. If the windows had been open, travelers on both sides of the bus could have touched the sides of the tunnel. The travelers enjoyed seeing several buffalo herds and a few mountain goats during the trip.
The last day of touring was just as busy and exciting as each of the other days. The first stop was at the Black Hills Gold Factory. Everyone toured the factory where this special jewelry is made from South Dakota gold. Also, the history of the Black Hills gold was shared. There was time to shop in the outlet store where many travelers purchased a special memento of the visit.
By the time the group reached Deadwood, there was just enough time for a city tour before lunch. This tour took place while traveling in a school bus with a driver/guide who kept the group in stitches during the entire tour. The one stop was made at the Mount Moriah Cemetery on a hillside above Deadwood. This special stop was at the grave sites of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Tourists can witness the shooting of Wild Bill three different times each day in Saloon #10.
After everyone had time to eat and tour Deadwood some on their own, the group traveled to Tatanka. Here everyone enjoyed a presentation by a Lakota Indian at the Northern Plains Peoples Educational Interpretive Center. She shared facts and artifacts explaining the many uses the Indians had for parts of the bison. Once a bison was killed, every part served a purpose.
Kevin Costner commissioned a sculptor to create a larger than life sculpture of 14 bison being pursued by 3 Native American riders. The sculpture can be viewed just a short walk from the Center.
The farewell dinner that evening was held in Spearfish, South Dakota, at the High Plains Western Heritage Museum. The travelers enjoyed touring the museum, being entertained by a live musical show, and being served a delicious meal.
Each day was filled with exciting adventures. Everyone learned to enjoy the Ponderosa Pines which appear very dark from a distance. These trees are why the area is referred to as the Black Hills. Those participating in the tour from our area were: Charlene Ezell, Jerri McBay, Ed & Alicia Smith, Jerry & Mary White from Fairfield; Norma Anthis from Franklin; Joy Cummings, Josh Stephens from Gatesville; Bob & Caroline Heiner from Groesbeck; Sherrie Minze, Judy Wardle from Streetman.
The Let’s Travel Club is open to anyone interested in traveling without having to do a great deal of planning and none of the driving. The next trip on the calendar is currently a tour in September to Mackinac Island, then in February of 2020 to Panama. In April, 2020, a 9-day tour is scheduled to Bluegrass country and the Smoky Mountains. A day trip to Prestonwood Baptist Church to enjoy their Gift of Christmas presentation is planned for December of 2019. Please call Jerri McBay at 903-388-2243 if you would like to know more about any of these tours.