The Best of the Dakotas

Wednesday, June 1 - I left home via cab about 6:00AM, arriving at PDX about 20 minutes later.  After checking in I went to the United Airlines Lounge until it was time to board the flight to Denver.  I completed a Virtual in Denver International Airport.   I arrived in Rapid City about 4:00PM.  I took the hotel shuttle to the Holiday Inn Rapid City - Rushmore Plaza Room #614 for four nights.  I had a pizza for dinner in the dining room.   It was delicious.

Thursday, June 2 - I ate cold pizza for breakfast.  The Hotel Shuttle transported me to the nearby Journey Museum - A journey through the Black Hills.  At 4:30PM there was a Road Scholar Reception, Orientation and Introductions.  Group dinner at the hotel.

Friday, June 3 - After breakfast we stopped at the outdoor informational signage and saw two sections of the Berlin Wall donated to the city.  We departed for Mount Rushmore National Memorial (5,250 ft. elevation) where four of the presidents are carved on the side of a mountain in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  I found a Virtual geocache.  We had lunch at Mount Rushmore cafeteria where I sat at a table near the fireplace.  We stopped briefly at a pullout to take photos of a side profile of George Washington.  We saw colossal Crazy Horse Memorial next.  I watched an American Indian dance presentation.  Back at the hotel, we had a buffet dinner.

Saturday, June 4 -After breakfast, we traveled the Custer State Park Visitor Center.  We had lunch at the historic State Game Lodge in Custer State Park.  We visited the Mammoth Site located in the southwest edge of Hot Springs in the Black Hills.  The Ice Age Museum contains the largest concentration of Columbian and Woolly Mammoths found in the primary context.  There are also camels, wolves and giant short-faced bears that became trapped in the giant sinkhole.  I had dinner at Piesano's Pacchia with George W. Gladfelter who I met many years ago on a Road Scholar Missoula Ice Age Flood trip. 

Sunday, June 5 - Following breakfast, we brought our luggage to the motorcoach.  We departed for historic Wall Drug.  Our leader led us on a brief tour.  I got a free donut and then looked at the extensive Western Art collection along the walls in the dining rooms.  We went to the Badlands National Park/Visitor Center.  We had a box lunch.  We traveled to Pierre, SD.   We stayed at the ClubHouse Inn & Suites in Pierre for two nights.  Room #129.

Monday, June 6 - After breakfast, we departed for SD State Capital Building.  I got a photo for the Capital Dome Benchmark.  I found a Virtual Geocache - "Fighting Stallions".  We visited SD State Historical Museum and Cultural Heritage Center.  I found a Traditional Geocache - "History Seeker".  We had lunch at a local restaurant.  We departed for the Oahe Dam Tour.  I visited the Oahe Chapel which served a dual purpose - it served as a schoolhouse and as a chapel.  I did not go on the Oahe Power Plant/Dam Tour or the Farm Implement Tour.  Instead I read James Patterson's "Lost".  About 4:00PM we returned to the hotel.  We had dinner in the Red Rossa Restaurant Meeting Room. 

Tuesday, June 7 - After breakfast, we brought our luggage to the coach.  We visited the ND Historic Site Welk Homestead.  I found a Traditional Geocache under a pine tree.  We had lunch in Linton, ND.  We visited the 17,000-acre Black Leg Ranch.  Black Angus cattle were the reason for the naming of  the ranch.  I had two samples of their microbrews.  We arrived at the Hampton Inn Bismarck Room for one night.  Room #110.

Wednesday, June 8 - After breakfast, we brought our luggage down to the coach.  I found a Traditional Geocache.  We visited the Art Deco ND Capital - "Skyscraper in the Prairie".  From the 18th Floor Observation Deck of the Capitol, one can see up to 35 miles away on a clear day.  We visited the ND Heritage Center Museum.  We had lunch at the Capital Cafe.  We went to the Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park.  The group explored the reconstruction of General George Custer home.  I had an ice cream bar sitting in the shade on the gift shop patio deck.  We drove along the Enchanted Highway where there were several large scrap metal sculptures.  We met the sculptor.  About 5:30PM we arrived at the Rough Riders Hotel in Medora for two nights.  Room #108.  I ate dinner in Theodore's.  I was deeply disappointed in the Burger and fries.

Located in the heart of downtown Medora the charming Rough Riders Hotel was originally constructed in 1884 in anticipation of an economic boom when French nobleman the Marquis de Mores built his meat packing plant, a stagecoach line, and several other businesses in the area.  Originally called the Metropolitan, the name was changed in 1903 to honor Roosevelt's Rough Riders.

Thursday, June 9 - After breakfast, we departed for Theodore Roosevelt National Park.  We took a scenic drive through the park.  We went to the Center for lunch.  We saw the Chateau de Mores Visitors Center and visited the 26-room historic house (1883).  I chose not to attend the dinner and musical event as I wanted to watch the first day of the House Committee Jan. 6 Hearings.  The fear of losing and being considered a loser was a common thread for Nixon and Trump.

Friday, June 10 - We brought our luggage to the coach.  After breakfast, we departed for Devils Tower.   We stopped at Painted Canyon Overlook where I found an Earthcache.  We had a sack lunch at The Geographic Center of North America in Belle Fourche, SD.  Many of the group hiked the 1.3 mile trail around the base of Devil's Tower however I chose to visit the Visitor Center and then sat on the bench in the shade.  We stopped in Sturgis at the Harley Davidson store.  We returned to the Holiday Inn Rapid City - Rushmore Plaza about 5:30PM.  I had a suite - Room #804.  I skipped the Farewell Dinner to have dinner with George.  We went to the Great Wall Chinese restaurant. 

Saturday, June 11 - I was disappointed that breakfast was not included.   I took the Hotel Shuttle at 7:00AM to the Rapid City Airport.  I wanted to buy a fruit/yogurt cup but the counter person would not sell me what I wanted.  So I ate a banana for breakfast in the airport cafe.  I caught the 11:10AM United Airlines flight to Denver.  I had lunch at the UA Lounge.  I caught the 12:27PM flight to PDX arriving about 5:40.  After retrieving my suitcase I caught the MAX Light Rails/Buses to the street where I live.  It was good to be home!

During the trip I saw bison, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, deer, prairie dogs, and longhorn steers.   With so much rain lately I saw wildflowers in profusion.  I found three Traditional Geocaches, an Earthcache, a Virtual and a Benchmark.  I added the state of North Dakota to the states that I have geocached in.