Day 20

On day 20 it was a ride around the Black hills and Custer Park.
 We took a wildlife loop around the park. We saw many bison, prong horns, sheep and, of all things, mules, mules looking for a hand out.

From Custer we drove across Needles Highway toward the Crazy Horse Memorial
This was a very cool road to ride across. Narrow, winding, sometimes separating into two one way roads, then recombining again after a few hundred yards.

 Below:  The eye of the Needle

Crazy Horse

The head of the horse will be larger than Mt Rushmore.

After Crazy horse we went back to the KOA and then took the bus to Mt. Rushmore for the night lighting of the statues. It was a pretty moving thing to see, and participate in.
During the lighting ceremony at Rushmore there was a ranger who was the speaker for the program. Again a very knowledgeable speaker.

The ranger doing the presentation at one point asked that all veterans come down to the stage. I'm in the back on the left.  Jim is to the right several people over against the wall.

He thanked us all for serving and then had us retire the flag. Pretty awesome. We got to be up front and on site for the flag lowering ceremony. One of the Vets lowered the flag, then six of the Veterans folded the flag. I was impressed, it was an excellent and properly folded flag.

After Rushmore  it was back (by school bus) to the campground to prepare for tomorrow.
So until tomorrow,