Any time your day includes a shot like this, directly from your own little Canon camera that fits into your back pocket, how can you not say "Spectacular"? Add to the fact that we arrived at this famous spot via pedal power, our day was perfect for a up-close look at not only at the monument, but also at the areas surrounding it.
Heavy showers and winds again pelted our departure site early in the early morning hours, but we were lucky to escape once again with only a brief shower. We set out from Hot Springs, SD, and soon crossed a double cattle guard to enter Wind Cave National Park. The double guard is there to keep in the herds of buffalo that freely roam the hills there along with the antelope, elk and too-many-to-count cities of prairie dogs.
We encountered a lone bull coming toward us next to our side of the roadway. His saunter and massive body cautioned us to cross to the other side of the two-lane road for our photos once he came closer, and the following show his look from both sides of the road.
The park hills were covered with burrow upon burrow of prairie dogs. As we rode through the park, they would stand at attention atop their homes, ready to scurry beneath if we posed a threat, but mostly "barking" at us as we made our way through their territory. There were many photos of these little guys taken, but this one seemed to be picture perfect.
After leaving Wind Cave Park, we rode to the town of Custer, where we had an amazing "drive through" espresso accompanied by a sausage/egg/cheese/croissant experience. This served as fuel to make our way up, up, up through the hills toward the Crazy Horse Sculpture and Mt. Rushmore National Monuments.
Though we did not stop at Crazy Horse Sculpture, this mountain sculpture in-progress was easily seen from the roadway, and the sun popped out just in time for this great photo.
Here's the entire Portland, Oregon crew after having stopped at Mt. Rushmore to have lunch with the Presidents: Don, Holly, Drew & Greg.
Lastly, making our way down the mountain to Rapid City, S.D., we found ourselves with some time to kill and bicycle needs to fill. We made the quick ride to Cranky Jeff's in downtown Rapid City, and we are now ready to start anew on our wheels tomorrow.
There's nothing cranky about any of our group tonight! Tomorrow - Where in the Wall is Wall?
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