07/29/2026
We had a truly memorable adventure exploring the Black Hills and Badlands. Witnessing Mount Rushmore illuminated at night was an amazing experience, and we also had the opportunity to view Crazy Horse, which is still under construction and is anticipated to take another 40 years to complete. Our journey included exploring Deadwood, a city recognized as a national landmark, where we delved into the legends of the Wild West, its history of gambling, and the gold rush. In Hill City, we boarded the 1880 Train for a scenic ride to Keystone. Our Buffalo Safari in Custer State Park got us up close to wildlife.On our final day, we explored the Badlands, where we observed spectacular examples of weathering, erosion, cliffs, and canyons. Afterward, we spent some time at Wall Drug Store, renowned for its "Free Ice Water." Our farewell dinner was a Chuckwagon Supper and Dinner Show at Fort Hays, which features some of the original buildings used in the Oscar-winning movie "Dances with Wolves." Now, we are looking forward to some rest and preparing for our next adventure.