Day 12 July 16, 2021
The Black Hills are our favorite place to be. We have been here many times but the beauty and peacefulness are something we never tire of. Because it’s become more commercialized over the years there is a lot to do and that’s what makes it’s a great place for everyone to enjoy.
When I was a kid at the dude ranch we always rode horses, so today the kids and grandkids and I went riding. Steve stayed behind and enjoyed visiting with Festus, the cowboy that runs the operation. His wife was our guide.
This wasn’t like other trail rides I’ve been on. Instead of 20 or more people in a line it was only the 6 of us and the guide. The guide was laid back and gave the horses more freedom to do what they wanted to within limits. My son Scott, unfortunately was given a mule to ride, instead of a horse. Robert the mule, lived up to being a mule and was stubborn! He needed to be continually prodded along to keep up with us. For the rest of us the ride was wonderful and at one place we could even see Mount Rushmore in the distance! By the time we got back I was stiff from sitting in the saddle and felt the effects of it for the rest of the day. Maybe my age is showing!
After lunch we drove to Mount Rushmore and spent a couple of hours there. It has changed from before and now you are able to walk on a path underneath the heads. It was quite a walk and a lot of stairs, but so fun to see the heads from a different angle and close up. It was worth the effort.
To end the evening we drove a short distance to Palmer Gulch KOA for a chuck wagon dinner. We thought the dinner might be called off as a thunder storm with lightening, rain and hail came over the mountain. The day had been hot, but dropped 20 degrees as it stormed. Then after 15 minutes the sun came back out and the horse drawn wagons came to get us. We had a wonderful meal with steak, potatoes and of course cowboy beans and a dessert. We had entertainment, too with a couple of singing cowboys.
It had been a full day with a lot of fun added to it. Steve only drove his car once to the grocery store making sure there are no foreseen problems when we make our way home on Sunday.
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