Day 16: Mt Rushmore, Needles Highway and Custer State Park

Today started with another dusting of snow, had a beautiful blue sky, sunny, windy and cool day, with some sleet late afternoon while we were walking Scout.  Strange weather we are having here in South Dakota.  We took today off from our volunteer work and went sightseeing.  We saw lots of wild life today.  We started the day with a return trip to Mount Rushmore for “Breakfast at Rushmore”.  Thanks, Scott, for the tickets.  Very good!  We got much better pictures than Sunday with today's sun on the sculpture and blue sky background.   

On the way to Rushmore we drove through the town of Keystone and there in the middle of town were several mule deer.  They must think they own the place because they were in no hurry to get out of the street.  As we were leaving Rushmore we saw two mountain goats – a Mom and baby.  Too cute.  

Next we wanted to drive the Needles Highway – a National Scenic Byway but it was closed due to the snow on Monday.  Then we drove by the Crazy Horse Memorial.  Seems to us they don't have a lot done on this one but it you look closely you can see some of the scaffolding for the continuing work.  

Since we had to go around the Needles we drove through the town of Custer.  There we spotted Custer Baker's Cafe and Bakery.  We always look for local bakeries.  They had awesome, and big, sticky buns.   

No we weren't hungry after the huge breakfast we had at Rushmore but we need something for tomorrow – with just a taste for today.  Going back into Custer State Park we saw 2 great blue herons and a ground hog. 

By the time we got back into the Park the Needles Highway had reopened so we got to make that drive.  It is called the Needles because of a rock formation that looks like the eye of a needle.  Don't know why it is called a highway though because you can't drive over 25mph it has so many twists and curves – most marked at 10mph.  

Very beautiful drive and still a fair amount of snow in places.  We did a little geocaching along the way and at one point snow was above the ankles.  We saw mule deer, white tail deer, and turkeys.  We then completed the Wildlife Loop of the park that we didn't do on Sunday.  We saw more buffalo (bison), and Pronghorn (the fastest land animal in North America) but the cutest seen today was the prairie dog town.  There were hundreds of little prairie dogs running around and chipping (or whatever you call the sound they make).  They would run in their burrows, stick their head back out then jump out again. 

Bighorn sheep, burros, elk and mountain lions also live in Custer State Park but we haven't seen them yet.  Mountain Lions have also been spotted here at Storm Mountain so we keep looking for one as we drive in and out.  That's it for today.  We haven't decided on tomorrows plan so.... we will see what tomorrow brings.  Hope it's sunny and warmer!

Day 15: Snow and More Bed Making

April 29, 2014

Last night we were too concerned about all our family and friends in Alabama to think about checking the weather forecast for here.  Well surprise, surprise!  We woke up to about 1 inch of snow today. 

It was very pretty but oh so windy and cold.  It snowed intermittently until about noon, the sun came out and the snow was gone.  Unfortunately the wind decided to hang around - continuing to gust to about 40mph.  The temperature reached 40 this afternoon so it was nice if you could stay out of the wind.

We are so thankful that our family is safe and so sorry for those who lost family and belongings. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Blount Country and elsewhere who suffered damage from the tornadoes. 

Today we finished the beds we were working on yesterday here at Storm Mountain Center.  We had four additional volunteers from the area today and it made the work go much faster.  We also helped with the preparations for a group that is to arrive Thursday afternoon.  Otherwise is was a quiet, enjoyable day here in South Dakota.  The director of the camp gave us tickets for 2 free breakfasts at Mount Rushmore so we will probably go there again in the morning - hopefully with some sun on the monument - and then do some more sightseeing.

Stay safe everyone!

Day 14: Making Beds

April 28, 2014

We didn't get the anticipated amount of snow but did have a light dusting this morning.

It has been cold and windy all day with rain/snow mix at times but mostly just cold and windy.  We remain at Storm Mountain Center, a Methodist Camp near Rapid City, SD.  We are continuing to do volunteer NOMADS work here to assist them in preparing for the upcoming camping season. For those of you who don't know NOMADS is an organization of the UMC where RVers go to various locations providing volunteer labor to various UMC organizations, such as camps, children's homes, churches, and mission projects as well as disaster relief.  Today we made/built new bunk beds.

It was a nice indoor project to work on such a cold day and we should finish that up tomorrow.  We really love this camp.  It is in a beautiful setting - so peaceful and quiet, and the people are just so nice and fun to work with and get to know.  That's about it from here today.  We are currently praying for the safety of all our family and friends in Alabama during the tornado outbreak that is currently occurring. We love you all and stay safe!!

Day 13: Mt. Rushmore, Black Hills, Custer State Park

April 27, 2014

Today again was breakfast with the group – again very good – and then we went in to Rapid City, or "Rapid" as the locals say, for church at First United Methodist Church.  It was very foggy with misting rain. 

The church has a very pretty sanctuary and nice contemporary service.  Pastor addressed that we all have doubts and we can grow from those doubts/questions when we go to the Truth in scripture for our answers.  Good message.  On the way back to Storm Mountain the fog had lifted but we had some small hail or large sleet and the temperature dropped about 8 degrees to 37 in just a few moments.  

 

The hail/sleet only lasted a short time.  We then packed our lunch and started out on a driving tour of the area.  We first went to Mount Rushmore.  By the time we got there it was sleeting.  We had never been to this memorial and really enjoyed the museum, movie that told the story of the sculpting of the mountain, the Avenue of Flags and Grand View Terrace.  The shear size is one of those “wow” moments.  We didn't do the hike to the base of the mountain due to the cold, sleet and wind.  The Memorial is lit every evening and we may try to go back to see it one night this week. 

 

From there we drove through a portion of the Black Hills National Forrest with beautiful rock formations, extremely curvy roads, one lane tunnels  and wonderful scenic overlooks.  Again we skipped the hiking since we needed to rest some after yesterdays workout on the mountain. 

We then went into Custer State Park.  It is a great state park with some nice campgrounds, lost of hiking rails and lots of wild life.  Today's wild life – 5 turkey's, several groups of mule deer, several groups of pronghorn antelope, and lots of buffalo.  At one point, we had the two front windows down shooting pictures with both cameras, and one buffalo decided to get a little too close to poking his head in the window and yes, there was one small scream as the window went back up. 

 

We didn't make it to the prairie dog town, or the Needles highway so we plan to return on Wednesday to see those.  There is so much to do in this area that we know we won't get it all done before it is time to be on down the road but. Guess we just might have to come back here again.  Really love this area and especially the Storm Mountain Center!

Day 12: Trail Clearing at Storm Mountain Center

April 26, 2014

Today began with a breakfast of pancakes and sausage with Scott – the Director here at Storm Mountain and three other gentleman from Pierre, SD – Craig, Don and Kevin.  They came for the weekend to do volunteer work at the camp.  Ashley is cooking for us and it has all been so good. 

The plan for today was to try to clear the trail to the top of the mountain.  In October 2013 there was a severe snow storm in the Black Hills.  Here at the camp they had 36 inches of wet, heavy snow in about 12 hours.  We understand that it took four days for someone to cut their way into the camp to get to the four staff that live here full time and eight days to get power back.  The storm brought down hundreds and hundreds of trees.  As you can see from the pictures, it looks very much like the tornado damage from April, 2011 except its everywhere – not just in a path.   

 

There were 6 of us working on the mountain all day and Scott joined us for part of the day.  Scott brought us more water and snacks!  We had 3 chain saws going most of the day except for our lunch break.  Thanks again, Ashley! The guys used the chain saws to “carve” crosses along the trail for people to see this summer.   

Cross and Flame carved by Steve

 There are crosses all over the camp  - such as the benches at the outdoor worship center, and they often challenge the campers to find them all.  We added six crosses today. 

Unfortunately we only made it about ¾ way up the mountain.  Hopefully someone else will come and help Steve finish the task.  Who knows we might come back this way on the way home and get to hike to the top.  That would be nice. 

Based on the weather forecast it is doubtful we will be able to get back up on the mountain while we are here.  We are under a winter storm watch for Sunday night and Monday for possible 6 inches of snow.  This could get interesting.  If we do get some snow this would be a great place to be because everyone is so very nice and so much fun to get to know.  Also if we get snow it will be the first time in over 21 years that we won't have to be at the emergency operations center.  Yea!!  We will be going to church in the morning and then we will just see what we can get into.