Black Hills, Black Magic, Naturally

Hiked Harney Peak in the Black Hills of SD, the highest elevation between the Rockies and the Pyrenees. Beautiful day, moderately strenuous, reaching the top to the fire lookout was well worth it, especially since a pronged mountain goat was resting in a crag a short scramble across the glaciated rock spires. 

We noticed a squared part of a ridge line when we started the hike, but thought that was too far for where we were going. From that distance we couldn't tell for sure it was definitely man made. On our way back down we took a picture using the zoom feature and realized out hike, which is mostly through trees, actually hugged the side of the mountain.

Very cool and breezy at the top, a definite welcome change. Spent a couple hours scrambling across the cragged granite, looking for a mountain goat, storied to be up there. We saw the droppings on the sidewalk around the lookout, thinking he had left....

Jewell Cave was most memorable for the tour guide as well as the very short amount of the cave the tour made up, across and down metal perforated scaffolds and stairs. Dan (Fairmount?) was a entertaining combination of storyteller, trailblazer (he explores the cave on his day off, FOR FREE) and a very young Nicholas Cage. Very easy to look at and listen to. Obviously Dan loves what he does, because his pasty skin tone has not seen much daylight. Twilight, anyone???

The caves are beautiful in an otherworldly way and dramatically lit to accentuate it. Two brothers stumbled upon it 100 years ago and thought it was glittered with diamonds, only to find out after filing a claim it was nearly worthless, though beautiful. One can only imagine now, how well it is doing as a tourist destination.

Lighting of Mount Rushmore. Wasn't sure what to expect with the lighting of Mt. Rushmore. Having lived in Atlanta and seeing the laser show at Stone Mountain, we were anticipating a possible high tech experience. Not so. A park ranger started the evening at around 8, talking about what being an American is all about, and then read the preamble to the Constitution. It's strength lies in the people, who have the power to change it by rising up against roadblocks to freedom.

There was a narrated movie of period photos and paintings for each, Washington, Jefferson,  Roosevelt andLincoln and as the movie was reaching it's end the lights were brought up, very slowly. The current and ex-military were brought down to the  stage and retired the flag for the evening. The least recognized vets at the time they came home were singled out for a public welcome as the crowd embraced the Vietnam Vets with applause. Touching. It ended with the singing of the National Anthem. Very patriotic experience.

A profile of George Washington can be see from the road out of the park. Impressive, eh? For more pix look on the Photo Gallery link above.