Day 3

 Day 3 down

Stop 1

Back down to Wall Drug and the Harley Shop.

While eating Breakfast we all put our meteorologist hats on and was trying to figure out what the game plan was for rain gear today. We decided after we left the Harley shop we would go under the shelter next door and put all of our rain gear on. 

We came out to the bikes and took all of our meteorological decisions and through them out the window and decided we were just gonna ride.  For anyone who has never had to put a rain suit on. Putting them on is an absolute nightmare. They get stuck on everything as you put them on and once you get them on they are so stinking hot 🥵 they are just miserable. 

Second Stop

Mt. Rushmore

Going to Mt. Rushmore is awesome and the journey to get there is just as amazing as the destination. you get there by going through Black Hills National Park.

This is still just an amazing and majestic sight to see. Gutzon Borglum had a vision. They said that his vision was as fragile as a rainbow in the Western sky. Borglum chose the four presidents because the represented the most important events in the history of the United States.  The project started in 1927 and was completed in 1941. There were over 400 men and women who helped bring this vision to a reality. The amount of talent these people had was incredible. 

Tried the most horrendous beer while here. I drank it because it cost $6 for a can, but I really did like the can so decided it should be in a photo op.

George had a little boogie so dad decided to help him out!

Anyone who knows me know I love me some toilet humor.

I am also a love of Junior Ranger badges! Loved that they had full on uniforms for the Junior Rangers now.

Now we are off to Sturgis, SD.  We specifically came to see the new Full Throttle Saloon.  It was not a disappointment.  Some may or may not know the saloon was featured on a self titled show from 2009 - 2015 when the saloon burnt down.  They are the worlds largest biker bar.  This bar is opened for 10 days a year and host 15,000 people a night in its compound.  We were at the original in 2013 and it was pretty awesome. This new and improved one is even better than the original and has avoided wood as much as possible. 

Even the bathrooms are decorated to the hilt

The Full Throttle Saloon Crew are hard at preparing for this years Sturgis Rally. They now have 1000 hookups for campers and numerous cabins for staff onsite. They also have cabins for the public to rent.  They also have an olympic size swimming pool and are hoping next year to have a zipline setup in the backyard area.  This is truly a giant playground for adults.

Now we are off to Devil's Tower

                The legend of Devil's Tower is that the Native American people were being hunted by the bears and the spirits raised this tower out of the earth with the people on it to save them from the bear.  The striped sides of the tower is where the bear was clawing its way trying to get up to the people.

Check out the tower standing in the background.  This thing is huge!

Everyone thought these little Teepees were cute until that was the only lodging option available for 90 miles!

The rock is changing color to the brilliant red!

There she is standing 867 ft. tall

We loved the prairie dogs! We have discovered that Tonya can spot an animal from a mile away.

Mr. Douglas chose that we should walk around the base of the tower, because he has done it the other two times he was here and it wasn't a bad walk at all.  We started this journey and it was really great there was a nice smooth cement path with little pictures and sculptures for us to read. Then the walk got real.  We had been walking about 15 minutes and it was mostly uphill and the terrain sucked.  The lady coming down the hill said this is the worst part it is a really nice as you get around the corner.  We said thank you!!! We really needed a little bit of a boost to let us know that this was not going to suck the whole time.  I would like everyone to know that woman is going to go to HELL for her lies!!! We made it to the half way point and Tonya snapped a picture to mark our accomplishment. While the walk was pretty I do believe we all would have enjoyed a nice tram ride around the tower.  We put it in the suggestion box.  If it happens you guys can all thank us.

It was a beautiful walk and the tower is amazing.  Love seeing our beautiful country!