Happy Fourth!

Wow, just wow is all either of us can say about yesterday. So much wow that by the time we got back to the hotel last night it was straight to bed. But since this is the last day we're going to have internet access until the night of the sixth, I figured I had to post these things now. Unfortunantly, none of the picture will be edited or captioned, but hopefully they'll speak for themselves.

We spent the entire day in South Dakota, and had cell reception for about 2% of it. Started 5 minuted from the east border, finshed 5 minutes from the western border. Most of the state isn't much to write home about, but the portions that are, are awesome. The first thing we saw was the Corn Palace. I made us go see it because yesterday we missed the 60 ft Jolly Green Giant.

Badlands, ain't so bad. We took the Badlands loop through our first National Park today (and purchased our National Park Pass). It was surreal. Both of us wondered what it must have been like to be first Americans out here to see this. I can only imagine it scared the bejesus out of them! But it's fantastic, and we also got some interesting weather and cloud cover, which made for some neat pictures. I used the auto photostitch tool, but it didn't do the greatest job this time, so please excuse!



After a quick lunch, we took the long way into Mt. Rushmore, Along the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway and through part of Custer State Park. There were signs for Buffalo, but we didn't see any. What we did see, however, was incredible. A pak of wild, or free roaming donkeys (well, we think they were donkeys) running through the hills. Lisa took all these great pictures of them running, even the babies. It was fatastic to say the least. We had a line of abuot 6 cars behind us watching as well. From the byway, we got our first glimpse of Rushmore through tunnels carved through the mountain. When it got time to head up to the last stretch, we were informed by the State Police that the lot was full (it was only 5:00!) and our best bet was to park along the side of the road and walk. Two miles, up a very steep hill. But Lisa, and her knee, were up for it (I believe the quote was "It's not like I can damage it anymore...") and we did it. And her knee held up fine. The crowd at the top was ridiculous. So many people, a concert and beautiful views of the Men in the Mountain.



As the sun went down, they started the fireworks, which were to say the least, the most incredible display I've ever seen. You haven't seen fireworks until you've seen them shooting out of George Washington's head. Some of the pictures at the beginning of the slideshow are dark, but once the lights warmed up, some photos came out awesome!



After the event, the walk down was a little tougher, and then an hour and a half drive to the hotel. Long day, but worth it. Today is Devil's Tower and into Yellowstone. We'll post again when we leave Yellowstone. Till' Next time, enjoy the pictures!

Lisa and John