south-dakota

Our exploration of the Black Hills begins by taking us to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, 25 miles from Rapid City. We ride the Needles Highway, named for its needle-like granite formations. A highlight of the Black Hills is Iron Mountain Road, a 17-mile stretch of paved paradise featuring 314 curves, 14 switchbacks, and three pigtail bridges. No visit to the area would be complete without exploring Custer State Park and its Wildlife Loop Road, where we see free-roaming buffalo cross the road. Today’s journey: 135 miles, our shortest yet, but it is the quintessential Black Hills riding experience.

(99 words!)

Click here to view today’s route.

***

And now, today’s photos.

Walter Jr checks out the presidential view at Mount Rushmore.

The flag of every US state and territory is on display as we arrive.

Walter Jr almost didn’t get onto the grounds, but I convinced the staff that they should make an exception, because he’s my comfort animal.

The weather was perfect for a morning selfie.

Walter Jr posed, because he hasn’t had selfie training yet.

One last pic of the flags and the presidents, and we’re off.

Mark pauses on the Needles Highway before going through the one-lane Needles Tunnel.

Walter Jr keeps an eye on the tunnel, and lets us know when it’s our turn to go.

The one-lane tunnels on Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road are beautifully engineered, and a bit claustrophobic.

On the Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park, there are bison (buffalo) all over the place.

At the Peter Norbeck Overlook, we’re midway between Custer State Park and Keystone.

Walter Jr had an overlook of the overlook sign.

And in Keystone, about 25 miles before the end of our day, he watches over the Main Street, where we got ice cream cones.

It was nearly 100 today, and Walter Jr needed some cold iced tea. So we stopped at a restaurant to wet his whistle and grab dinner. He was my dining companion again, as Mark opted for Subway. I didn’t take it personally, and neither did Walter Jr.

Dinner at Sickies Garage in Rapid City. Boneless wings.

On Day Eleven of our trip, we head for the Black Hills. But first, we stop at Devils Tower National Monument, made famous by the Stephen Spielberg movie, Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Then we roll through Sundance, Wyoming, named after the Sun Dance ceremony practiced by several American Native American tribes. We cross into South Dakota, and ride the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway on our way to the historic town of Deadwood. After rolling through Nemo, home of the clownfish, at the end of a 223-mile day, we overnight in Rapid City, known as the “City of Presidents.”

(99 words!)

Click here to view today’s route.

***

And now, today’s photos.