National Parks – Mt Rushmore National Monument and Badlands

(written by Bill)

Part 7 on a series about our road trip from California to Ohio, and back again, visiting 15 National – Parks, Recreation Areas, Forests, and Monuments. 11 reviewed, 4 to go.

Since we spent 2 1/2 days in Yellowstone, we are now on day 9. We departed the town of Cody in Montana and headed for Mt Rushmore, South Dakota. It was quite a ways so most of the day was spent in the car. We had somewhat of a daily routine regarding driving duties – Dad would take the first couple of hours in the morning, my sister would drive during the middle of the day and then I would take the late afternoon/evening shift.

I had never been to Mt Rushmore before so this was another location on my bucket list. We arrived in the late afternoon/early evening and went straight to the monument. As you can see in the photos, the clouds looked ominous but the night temps were great and the rain held off while we took in the wonderful views.  You can also view the new monument of Crazy Horse which is under construction as you drive up to Mt Rushmore.

As the sun set we headed for Rapid City South Dakota, which is close by, to spend the night.

We were up early and on to Badlands National Park – day 10. Just past the entrance sign my sisters spotted an old deserted farm house, which we just couldn’t pass up. So we pulled off the road and thoroughly investigated the skeletal remains of what was once someones home. A little eerie  but very interesting. Badlands is quite different than most of the national parks we had visited which I believe can be summed up by giving you a quote from one of my sisters, “Though very desolate it does have such a silent calming beauty of it’s own”.

Click here for more photos of Mt Rushmore

Click here for more photos of Bandlands

Check out our last blog of this series on National Parks which will highlight Devils Tower and the Craters of the Moon National Monuments.

Hope you enjoy…