2018 08 11 - 2018 08 14 Rafter J Bar Campground, Mount Rushmore, Bear Country USA and Prairie Berry Winery

Rafter J Bar Campground, Hill City, South Dakota - 11 August 2018 

Another back-in site that needed extra pads under our levelers. But thankfully some shade and it's long enough for both rig and truck.  

Large open spaces for activities and five different camping areas. 

It took some doing to find a level patch for our chairs. But it seems our neighbors lack basic camping etiquette by tying their hammock to the trees behind our rig. It's like riding a bike through your neighbor's front yard. Luckily, we are friendly people so the kiddies have a place to relax and read a good book. 

The road to the "Island" campsites. At night, the large field on the right is a favorite grazing area for about a dozen local deer. 

Mount Rushmore, Keystone, South Dakota - 12 August 2018

Nice sign to acknowledge the two movies that have been filmed on location here. For those who don't know, my father was a low level Assistant Cameraman for some of the scenes in North By Northwest. Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint are trying to escape the bad guys by climbing down the faces of the monument. Really only the long shots of the mountain and the scene inside the cafeteria were filmed here. 

A close view

The Walkway of Flags from all 50 states and territories.

We joined a Ranger Talk who mentioned that Jefferson was originally on Washington's right but during carving an inverted crack (starts small on the outside and grows bigger inside) was discovered so holes were drilled and dynamite used to blow up the features. All that is seen now is vertical lines. Jefferson was moved to the left but more cracks were found. The face was shifted back and tipped up to eliminate the crack. 

But the Ranger did not talk about one interesting thing. Behind the heads there is another outcrop of the mountain. During construction, Borglum wanted to carve a Hall of Records which Congress denied. He misappropriated funds until Congress found out. By then, there was an 70 foot cavern. In 1998, the cavern was cleaned out, a vault was dug in the floor and a time capsule containing enamel plates documenting American History was sealed in a teakwood box and placed in the titanium lined vault, covered by a 1200 pound granite slab. Documents included copies of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and other historic American contributions to art, science and industry and explaining why these Presidents were chosen. 

A unique perspective of Washington and part of Lincoln through a split in the rocks. 

Outside of the monument grounds, a different side of George's face from the access road. 

Western chipmunks have really long tails compared to the ones we had in Ohio.

We picked up the dogs on our way to Bear Country USA, a drive-through animal park. Something caught Dakota's eye. Maybe it was the grazing elk.

Tori must be remembering the deer at our campsite. Both sat very still just watching. 

A small herd of about a dozen animals. Most were laying in the grass.

Several bucks with full grown antlers.

A Dall sheep.

A female Big Horn sheep. 

A Big Horn Sheep.

This  Mountain Lion was very close to the road. Tori was watching it very intently and vocalizing deep in her throat. She never barked and it wasn't a whine but a very strange growl that we haven't heard before from her.  

About a dozen black bears all trying to stay cool in the heat. This shaggy guy needs a date with a stylist. He looks like he still has part of his winter coat. 

This one just sat there rubbing his belly. 

A very small herd of bison.

To be honest, we were expecting more of a zoo like setting but a drive through park. This was very disturbing. There was very little shade or wading pools for these animals who normally would be migrating into cooler climates for relief from the heat. We would not recommend it to anyone.  

The 1880 Train, Hill City, South Dakota - 13 August 2018

A real working steam train requires about 200 gallons of water for the 20-mile round trip between Hill City and Keystone. The original trains were used to service the mines and mills.

The fireman loads water into the boiler. 

A short reverse for coupling assisted by the conductor. 

Just waiting for the all clear from the engineer before passengers start boarding.

Steam whistle as we approach one of the 20 crossings - 2 long, 1 short, 1 long. In Morse code that stands for "Q". England Maritime standard for "Queen" who had the right-of-way at any port in the empire.  

Padded, reversible seating in the Oreville car. The curved windows at the roof line are stained glass. This is one of the fancy cars. 

A more basic train car with wooden seats and plastic sheeting for weather control on the windows. But the seats still reverse with a simply push of the back rest. 

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We took advantage of the empty seat in front of us by pushing the back forward and using the seat as a foot rest.

In Keystone, the engine was moved from one end of the train to the other.

The engine is now on the other end of the train for the trip back to Hill City. Notice it is pulling the train backwards. This is because a flood wiped out the wheelhouse where engines use a turntable to reverse direction. Every since the engine goes backward on the trip back to Hill City.

Along the route we passed several groups of deer. We were surprised to see fawns that still had their spots this late in the summer. 

They don't scare easily with the noise of the train rolling by but the steam whistle startles them. 

An old, abandoned tin mine entrance still stands in the field. 

Downtown Keystone looks like any other tourist trap around the country with the same tacky t-shirt and souvenir shops along with pizza and fudge. 

This is downtown Hill City which also has some of the same storefronts. Since they are closer to Deadwood and Sturgis, riders come through town during the motorcycle rally heading for Mount Rushmore. So there is a Harley outfitter store. For others, there are several jewelry, clothing, art and leather goods stores. The two blocks of downtown are closed to traffic except for motorcycles for safety during the rally.

Prairie Berry Winery, Hill City, South Dakota - 14 August 2018

On a recommendation from my friend, Donna, we went to Prairie Berry Winery for lunch and stayed for a wine tasting. The family, from Czechoslovakia, has been making wines in South Dakota since 1876. Grapes not being available, the Great-Great-Grandmother used berries and other local fruits. Through 5 generations, old family recipes are still used to in the making of handcrafted wines. We discovered several, actually 6, to our liking so we are set for several months. They also have jams, jelly, compotes and honey. Several wineries and breweries in the area.