The Nicest People Ever- Rushmore, Keystone, Deadwood, and Rapid City

The photo upload still isn't working, but at least I was able to do these 5 pictures before it shut down. I haven't tried video yet. If you see some videos in this post, then it works. I'll have to post the others later and finish this post now, or I might forget all that happened yesterday. Here's where I started to write last night:


Here I am in Billings Montana. I haven't seen much of it yet because I literally just got here. There are some drunk early 20-somethings in the lobby that I don't really care to meet too much, so I think I'll just sit here and blog a bit before planning for tomorrow and going to bed.

I headed to Mt. Rushmore this morning, then back to Rapid City, stopped for a few minutes in Deadwood, and then headed here to Billings. One comment I have to make about the day in general... it was perfect and gorgeous weather! I haven't seen any of that this entire trip until now, but the sun just really makes me happy. It couldn't have been more beautiful.


I arrived at the park after checking out of my hotel in Rapid City. I've been doing pretty well getting good deals on priceline. I've only stayed at the Motel 6 once because usually I can get a better hotel for a similar price. Today Travelocity totally rocked, but more about that later.

The drive up to Mount Rushmore was pretty through the Black Hills. Unfortunately, they didn't photograph that well. I took a few shots and wasn't impressed with what came out. It was quite stunning in person. I took a little video talking about the stops along the way.


p.s. Yayyy, I can upload video!

When I arrived at Mt Rushmore, I already had an idea that it maybe wasn't going to be as spectacular as it is in photographs. My friend Mike who did a similar trip about seven years ago gave me some tips on the cool stuff to do. So, when I arrived, I wasn't disappointed. If I hadn't been prepared, I may have been just a little. It's still interesting, no doubt, and large, and high up. Worth a visit, for sure. It's just not this mystical carving it always seemed in the photos of my youth. Cool though anyway. I think what ruins it a bit is learning that it was just the work of a sculptor who was interested in politics and wanted to bring tourists to the Black Hills.


This is a monument to each of the states located in front of the viewing platform. You'll see it better when I have the chance to upload my other photos.


... and there we have it! Mt. Rushmore.


You can get an idea of scale and distance from this photo. Here's an interesting bit... the girl taking this photo was also a solo traveler just a little younger than me from BC Canada. I felt bad. She described to me where British Columbia is, and said that most Americans aren't familiar with Canadian geography. I know I've seen maps and studied the order of the provinces, but I really didn't remember. She said it without any malice and was very nice, but I just couldn't help feeling like a bad, selfish neighbor. I'm going to make it a goal to pay more attention to Canada. It is, after all, a nice place full of nice (and funny) people.


It is pretty cool I think. I'm glad I got to see it.

I decided to post this next video even though it's just complete silliness. These are the things I do when I'm going around by myself. Ha. My fellow tourists must have thought I was nuts.


Oh, such silliness. :-)

I would love to show you some more photos but unfortunately, that's not possible for now. I'll post more and continue my story with my time back in Rapid City, my stop in Keystone, and my quick drive through Deadwood.

Last photo I managed to upload with a quick preview of Deadwood:


Cheers for now! Cross your fingers that the photo thing will start working soon.