Blogger: MikeAfter today's ride, we were impressed once again with the diversity of landscape and lifestyles in our country. We completed the trip through South Dakota, traveled about 200 miles in Wyoming and started to cross Montana, pulling up for the night just past Bozeman in the town of Belgrade. We've left ourselves quite a challenge for tomorrow - about 300 miles more in Montana, across the thin part of Idaho and then crossing Washington, from Spokane to Seattle. We hope to get started early!
But back to today! We started the day with our biggest sight-seeing adventure of the trip. We stayed in Rapid City and had about a 30-minute drive to Mt. Rushmore. It was a must-do! We were on the road before 8 and there were few guests when we arrived at the monument. It was an interesting exhibit - a trib
ute to four outstanding Presidents that led with different causes. But it was also just as much a reflection of what can be done with great ideas. As I learned about the history of sculpture, the idea came from a South Dakotan who thought it would be good for tourism. He was certainly right. Completed 14 years after it started, the monument is the centerpiece for a thriving South Dakota tourism industry. From the exhibits we saw along the way on I-90 yesterday to the plethora of entertainment options in the Rapid City area, including a live bear exhibit, a petting zoo, the required wax museum, the reptile gardens, plus all types of family attractions. Our hotel even had an indoor water park attached. The tourism idea continues to be a mainstay in a state that would not be much of an attraction without the manmade monument and the supporting attractions.
ute to four outstanding Presidents that led with different causes. But it was also just as much a reflection of what can be done with great ideas. As I learned about the history of sculpture, the idea came from a South Dakotan who thought it would be good for tourism. He was certainly right. Completed 14 years after it started, the monument is the centerpiece for a thriving South Dakota tourism industry. From the exhibits we saw along the way on I-90 yesterday to the plethora of entertainment options in the Rapid City area, including a live bear exhibit, a petting zoo, the required wax museum, the reptile gardens, plus all types of family attractions. Our hotel even had an indoor water park attached. The tourism idea continues to be a mainstay in a state that would not be much of an attraction without the manmade monument and the supporting attractions.From the manmade wonder, we then began to observe the natural wonder of the Rocky Mountains over the rest of the day. Wyoming was sparse and almost desert like. The further we drove into the state, the mountains became a larger part of the horizon. Our trip did not take us to the natural tourist attractions in Wyoming - Yellowstone and the Grant Tetons.
The massive state of Montana offered large stone mounds, fertile valleys and houses with great views! We enjoyed our first few hours in the state and look forward to more great vistas tomorrow!
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