Most motorcycle enthusiasts have heard of or have been to Sturgis, South Dakota. In fact, our friends have been and came back with great stories. While South Dakota is a place I wanted to visit, I was not crazy about going with 700,000 bikers present! So, instead of going during the Sturgis Rally, we decided to go the first week of July. The planning began a long time ago…..it went something like this. “Let’s go to Sturgis and ride “ours”. We can take 10 days off and take our time, it will be great!” And so it began.
Great cannot begin to explain how this trip was for me. I had no real expectations of South Dakota; Carhenge, the Black Hills, Badlands, Deadwood, Mt. Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Monument. And then over to Wyoming to see Devil’s Tower. What I failed to realize was the impact that this trip would have on me. The beauty of the landscape moved me beyond words. The Crazy Horse Monument can only be described as “spiritual”. It was absolutely amazing. These lands that once occupied buffalo, wild horses, and Native Americans are now only memories of those who came before us. I can only imagine what it must have been like coming across the Black Hills in a covered wagon only to see a young Native American Warrior on the top of a hill. Scary and fascinating all at the same time!
Our first stop when arriving was the Mammoth Spring Museum and dig site. I struggle spiritually when scientists talk about mammoths and dinosaurs roaming the earth 23 million years ago. I know there were dinosaurs because the book of Job discusses large animals roaming the earth but the timeframe really doesn’t add up for me. All the same, an interesting stop and am glad I experienced it. The best was yet to come.
“My lands are where my dead lie buried”, Crazy Horse. Crazy Horse; birth year approximately 1840 and died of a stab wound to the back by an American soldier in 1877 while in a Federal prison in present day Nebraska. Crazy Horse, Oglala Lakota Sioux Indian Chief who fought the Federal Government against the encroachments on Indian Territory. Crazy Horse was told he would be a great protector of his people, and he was.
In 1939 a young sculptor won first prize at the New York World’s fair. Shortly thereafter, Korczak Ziolkowski was approached by the Lakota Chiefs to build a monument; "My fellow chiefs and I would like the white man to know the red man has great heroes, too." In 1947 Korczak moved to the Black Hills and the first blast took place in 1948. The monument is still under construction today by seven of his 10children and his wife. It is an amazing place which includes their home, two models of Crazy Horse sculpted by Korczak, artist studios, and a museum full of heritage. I cannot put into words how moved I was when we left. All the work taking place is by private funding, not one penny of Federal or State funds are being used for this project. The artist believed that this monument be for the people and paid for by the people. Phenomenal! Every day I think of its beauty.
Moving on to Mt. Rushmore; again no real expectations but blown away! Walking into the monument and seeing all of the state flags flying truly caused a lump in my throat. I was proud. And who did I see? Teddy Roosevelt as a rough rider and Teddy Roosevelt as President! Photo op… and then, Paul Revere. I loved it!
The beauty (I know I keep saying that) of Spearfish Canyon, Custer State Park and everything in between cannot really be fully understood or explained without seeing it firsthand. I would return in a heartbeat.
I cannot leave out the trip to Deadwood. The day started out sunny and warm and quickly turned to rain and thunderstorms so we waited out the bad weather in a car wash stall for about an hour. The roads were winding and we just could not take a chance of a slip. Once the rain stopped, we pulled into the old train depot to park and explore the town. I was amazed by all of the history there. Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, the brothels, bars and the old cemetery captivated me. According to legend there were three bars, one brothel, three bars, one brothel and so on all down the main street of Deadwood. Today; it’s a tourist stop and casinos. But the history truly lives on, it was a blast.
The memories made with our friends is everlasting. Thank you Susie for not letting me die! And yes Jane, we did bond. I love you both for putting up with my crazy neurotic and OCD ways.
May you all enjoy the pictures I have posted here; it was difficult to choose what to post out of the 900+ that I took. Yes, 900+.
My bucket list now includes a one month sabbatical to the Crazy Horse Monument to work in the artist studios. May or June of 2012 look pretty promising to me!
Peace, Pam
