Land of Stone & Light
The Badlands stretches 60 miles from Kadoka west towards the town of Scenic. Wind, rain, and freeze/thaw action have gradually worn down the badlands.
While staying in the Badlands, I went to a ranger talk about the stars. It was the best ranger talk I have ever gone to. Large telescopes were set up to view the stars & planets. The ranger said here in the Badlands is the darkest skies in the USA. When visiting, take time to go to the talk about the stars, it will be well worth it.
The Road to the Wind Cave-16A
Check out this tunnel we went through. The bus just fits through the tunnel. At the entrance it tells you to sound your horn to warn drivers on the other side. It is a two way tunnel. OH NO!!
Mount Rushmore
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On the way back from Mt. Rushmore, we saw 2 mountain goats just hanging out on the side of highway 16.
Jewel Cave National Monument
Looks like the map of the US.
Jewel Cave was discovered about 1900.
It became a National Monument in 1908.
It is the second longest cave in the World.
Jewel Cave has Calcite crystal, dogtooth spar & nailhead spar which makes this cave different from most caves. Nearly all the of the cave chambers display collections of calcite crystals. When the light hits it...it looks sparkly. I liked this cave the best out of the caves we have gone in. John prefers Carlsbad Cavern the best so far.
Around Jane's monument are little trinkets left by mourners...coins, flowers and liquor bottles. John & I left a trinket too. (You'll have to guess what it is)
If you watched the Deadwood series on HBO, you have heard of this name. Seth Bullock was the first sheriff of Deadwood. Seth & his partner arrived in Deadwood the day before Wild Bill was murdered.
Gambling ended in Deadwood officially in 1947. Gaming resumed in 1989.
Prostitution establishments closed during the years of 1950-1960. (look closely & you can see the prostitutes in the windows upstairs)
Wild Bill was murdered Aug. 2, 1876 at the No. 10 Saloon.
This picture is the most prominent feature in the cave...Box work. It is a thin honey comb shape structure.
We had to do some ducking as we traveled through the cave. It was a very interesting and different than other caves we have explored.
Check out this tunnel we went through. The bus just fits through the tunnel. At the entrance it tells you to sound your horn to warn drivers on the other side. It is a two way tunnel. OH NO!!Mount Rushmore
.jpg)
On the way back from Mt. Rushmore, we saw 2 mountain goats just hanging out on the side of highway 16.
Jewel Cave National Monument
Looks like the map of the US.
Jewel Cave was discovered about 1900.
It became a National Monument in 1908.
It is the second longest cave in the World.
Jewel Cave has Calcite crystal, dogtooth spar & nailhead spar which makes this cave different from most caves. Nearly all the of the cave chambers display collections of calcite crystals. When the light hits it...it looks sparkly. I liked this cave the best out of the caves we have gone in. John prefers Carlsbad Cavern the best so far.
Deadwood, SD
Today we spent the day in Deadwood & Sturgis. The town of Deadwood is a national landmark in 1964. It was the first community designated a National Historic Landmark. Deadwood got its name because of the dead timber on the surrounding hills. It was established in 1876.
Mt. Moriah Cemetery-Wild Bill (James Butler Hickok)& Calamity Jane (Martha Jane Burke)were both buried here. Her dying wish was to be buried next to Wild Bill.
Today we spent the day in Deadwood & Sturgis. The town of Deadwood is a national landmark in 1964. It was the first community designated a National Historic Landmark. Deadwood got its name because of the dead timber on the surrounding hills. It was established in 1876.
Mt. Moriah Cemetery-Wild Bill (James Butler Hickok)& Calamity Jane (Martha Jane Burke)were both buried here. Her dying wish was to be buried next to Wild Bill.
Around Jane's monument are little trinkets left by mourners...coins, flowers and liquor bottles. John & I left a trinket too. (You'll have to guess what it is)
If you watched the Deadwood series on HBO, you have heard of this name. Seth Bullock was the first sheriff of Deadwood. Seth & his partner arrived in Deadwood the day before Wild Bill was murdered.
Gambling ended in Deadwood officially in 1947. Gaming resumed in 1989.
Prostitution establishments closed during the years of 1950-1960. (look closely & you can see the prostitutes in the windows upstairs) 
Wild Bill was murdered Aug. 2, 1876 at the No. 10 Saloon.
Calamity Jane & Bill arrived in 1876.
Crazy Horse
Crazy horse looks the same as it did 4 years ago when we were here..jpg)
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Wind Cave, South Dakota
A strong wind blows through this cave...hence its name...Wind Cave. The wind is created by differences between atmospheric pressure in the cave & outside the cave. You can still feel the wind by the entrance of the cave.
A strong wind blows through this cave...hence its name...Wind Cave. The wind is created by differences between atmospheric pressure in the cave & outside the cave. You can still feel the wind by the entrance of the cave.
This picture is the most prominent feature in the cave...Box work. It is a thin honey comb shape structure.
We had to do some ducking as we traveled through the cave. It was a very interesting and different than other caves we have explored.
Outside of the cave in the park, you can enjoy the wildlife. While we drove through we saw a coyote hunting the prairie dogs. The prairie dogs barked out a warning. It sounded like a lot of screeching. The coyote didn't find any prairie dogs as we were watching....maybe later he found some food. We saw several herds of prong horns and buffaloes.
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