Day 14 - Custer to Rapid City, SD

Can I just say that today was so INCREDIBLE!!! First of all, we were in Custer, SD - where just a few miles away sat two amazing gifts that could be enjoyed by us as mere spectators, Crazy Horse and Mt. Rushmore. They both were very moving to me and to be seeing them because I rode my bike there is still a 'pinch me moment'. Mt. Rushmore is a symbol of freedom and a hope for people from all cultures and backgrounds and Crazy Horse's creator Korczak Ziolkowski said, "Never forget your dreams." I can not tell you how deeply that touched me. I believe that all of us have dreams and that we owe it to ourselves and our closest contacts (spouses, family, friends, etc) to deliver on those dreams. I feel like I am doing that to be a better person and to give more to those people. I have never been to either of these monuments but I can tell you that they were impressive. It was amazing to see, I actually can't wait to come back again and hike in the Black Hills - there were tons of trails to go on. Ok, before I start getting misty, on to the ride.

We actually had a short day today. You could either go 45 miles and see both or you could go 76 miles and go through Custer State Park and see Mt. Rushmore. Since I wanted to see both we chose the shorter route. You would think it would be easy, but for some reason my legs didn't remember what they were supposed to do. Not that the climbs were difficult (we had about 4,500' of climbing) but I think there was a little fatigue in there. We rode through some beautiful mountain terrain, with the pine trees and granite poking through. We also had some gorgeous meadows full of black-eyed susans, purple cone flowers, pin cushions, and bright yellow flowers. It smelled heavenly. Have I said this before? That you really have sensory overload on a bike - from a car you can't really get the same smells - maybe for a lingering moment but as we climbed up on hill you were engulfed with the smell of flowers - I couldn't escape it nor did I want to. It was a heady experience.

I also was more in a "loligag" mode. I wanted to actually stop and smell the flowers. I told Paul to keep going but of course, he would wait to make sure I was still coming. I tried to take more pictures today too. Below I have a bunch, but not in order really.
Tonight, Michelle and I ate with Ernie, Bob and Jim at Perkins - hey you can get broccoli there! (and my grilled tilapia was pretty good!) This town is full of crazies on their way to Sturgis or wishing they were - plus a lot of 'crotch rocket' kids that are squealing their tires and such. Oh and it's a full moon - Happy Full Moon Sandra!!

We have 149 miles tomorrow - yes that's right - have an easy day and we gotta pay! So, tomorrow's breakfast is at 5:30 and we leave by 6:00am.


The flowers:

Beautiful Meadow in the Black Hills


Paul, Susan, Bob and I on the wall - oh and Mt. Rushmore behind

Me and my Men:

Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, Lincoln

Artsy Fartsy - framing

Me with the sculpture of Crazy Horse and the actual in the background

This is all the beads in the Native American museum - Mike show Pam she'd love all those beads!

Crazy Horse in the morning