Thursday, June 22, 2006

Day 18 - Whisperng Pines Campground, SD to Keystone, SD

. Thursday, June 22, 2006
















Weather
Temperature: 73°F
Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Wind: S 9 mph

Ride Info
Altimeter Trip: 1,790 ft
Altimeter Odometer: 45,540 ft
Maximum Speed: 44.5 mph
Average Speed: 20.2 mph
Distance Trip: 67.9 miles
Distance Odometer: 1,265.5 miles
Elapsed Time: 1 hr 11 min 35 sec

Today was the shortest day of the entire trip cross country – only 20 miles. It was supposed to act as a rest day. It also allowed us ample to time to do the tourist bit in Keystone. Keystone is a town nearby Mount Rushmore. Obviously, it was a real short trip to our final destination. Even though it was short, it was also one of the most scenic. There was a gorgeous lake only a few miles outside of camp that I took a couple pictures of.

I think we stayed at yet another campground in Keystone. Once we arrived, unloaded the trucks, and set up camp, Wandering Wheels started ferrying people to and from Mount Rushmore. Some people opted to go to the Crazy Horse monument (still under construction) that was further away.

I was surprised at how busy it was at Mount Rushmore. I think that a lot of our national parks are busier and more “touristy” than the pictures let on. I was a little disappointed with how far away you viewed Mount Rushmore as well. I think a couple people from our group went on one of the helicopter rides that were available.

Today was also a great day for eating. We were on our own for lunch and there were a lot of great restaurants to choose from. Spent a good chunk of the afternoon just chilling out at base camp and it was soon time for dinner. Ate the dinner that Wandering Wheels provided, and a couple hours later, headed back in to town for a second dinner.

It would be on to another state (Nebraska) tomorrow. It would be a long day tomorrow as it was over 100 miles to our next stop – Chadron, NE.














3 comments:

Mohawk Chieftain said...

Boo:

Check out this story in the news...

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/06/27/beer.blockade.ap/index.html

Boo said...

That was something the really affected me while riding through "Indian Country". You can just feel the poverty. And obviously alcoholism is a big problem on many reservations. I don't know if you've ever clicked on any of the Wikipedia links for the various places I've ridden through. For the small towns, the site just gives some simple demographic information. But it includes info like average annual income, racial makeup, etc. It's pretty sad and is something that needs to be addressed.

Mohawk Chieftain said...

You know, Boo, I don't know how we can right the wrongs, when there are sooooo many of them needing that righting. Too often, when I think about it all, I also think that I won't miss being on this earth and being part of it all....

I wish I had the power. I've been thru that "Indian Country" and the poor parts of Appalachia, etc., and it just makes a person so depressed, they wanna cry.

I'm sorry for the poor people all over the world and I'm glad we try to help them, but I sure wish we'd take care of our own, first....

I guess I just don't understand the Big Picture, dumbass that I am!