Aug 29 2017 - to Keystone,SD

First stop - Hot Springs SD.  Nice resort town. Local stone used to make the buildings.  Hot spring still works - the swimming pool is filled straight from it.  But not its more famous for its VA hospital.  A splendid building.

Used to be the hotel - now a convalescent home

The amazing VA hospital. They dont build them like this any more

Next stop - Wind cave    There over a hundred miles of charted caves in here - but obviously the guided tours only show a small part.  Buts its worth it.  We took the 'fairgrounds' tour.  Takes about 1.5 hours and start by going down a few hundred feet by elevator.  There are then some 450 stairs to negotiate  - but it doesn't seem hard when you are down there.  The cave is famous for its "Boxwork" formations...

Next stop Custer State Park

Tonight's stop is Keystone.   Rushed back to Mount Rushmore (see what I did there) to catch the lighting ceremony.  Well call us cynical but we though a lighting ceremony would be more than turning on a light.  Oh well - its still worth seeing.....

Aug 28 2017 - to Crawford,NE

But first a hike down the Bluffs.   You can drive to the top, hike down and the park service will run you back up.  (or vice-versa)  Great service - and great views.  Its only a few miles down so more of a stroll.

Next stop  Agate Fossil beds national monument.. These Daemonelix or Devils's corkscrew fossils were originally though to be some plant root - till one got broken and they realised they were actually the underground burrows of an animal similar to today's prairie dogs.  These are many feet tall.

Fascinating place to waste an hour or 2.

Last stop for the day was Fort Robinson State park   Massive place with many original buildings from it Fort days.  Sioux chief Crazy horse was killed here.

We were considering staying at the hotel in the park - but it was expensive for minimal facilites.  So a short drive up the road we found the tiny town of Crawford.  What's not to like?

Aug 27 2017 - to Scottsbluff,NE

Lake Ogallala State recreation area

Since its not tidal we are nor sure how this happened...

Camping on the beach - in Nebraska!

Chimney Rock   -  on the Oregon trail.

Aug 25 2017 - To Dodge City

And we are off.
Day 1, after a late start, gets us to Sayre,OK.

The local gas station was offering these Goat delicacies, and a very popular hole-in-the-wall Indian restaurant that was packed with Indian truckers.  Who knew?

Day 2 got us to Dodge City for 2 nights
Great cowboy town and still has massive feed lots where cattle are fattened before shipping out.