More sights and More Animals

Wall, South Dakota



Hello,



With the sun in our faces we headed east with more mountains to cross. This time the peak was higher at 9,000 plus feet, but easier because the road was a highway. The trees were not so close to the road so it was totally clear of ice, the grades were not so extreme, and the road was wider. There was quite a bit of snow at the top. The road crew was moving the snow with a front loader. In the rear view mirror I saw them go across the road. Were they moving that white stuff from the mountain side of the road to the other? More snow is expected on Friday. I suspect much of that will not melt until spring so they might need the space.



We saw a lot of prong horn antelope in the fields. There were a lot of horses with cowboys attached as well as some cattle including some that I call Oreo cookie cows.



Mount Rushmore was still in bright sun at 3:00 in the afternoon. I had forgotten how big it is. The spaces for tourist had changed for the better in the 20 years since I had been there. It was very nice.



While there we saw three mountain goats, two adults and one baby.



Even though it was getting late we headed off on the scenic byway to the badlands. The sun was still up, but getting constantly lower. By the time we got to any interesting formations it had sunk quite low and even set before we were done. I was at first quite disappointed and disgusted with Leroy since he had not asked a question about the choice of roads at the information place. He only asked where the road was. I would have asked, but I was on the phone to Miriam at the time. Anyway it all worked out well as the dusk created quite a nice effect on these odd formations.



Also in the dusky light we saw an additional 4-6 buffalo as well as some deer by the side of the road. We were grateful the car worked as we think no one would have found us for some time, but before we got done with this side road we met three other cars.



Paula