The Black Hills. A trip to remember.

I’ve been absent for over a couple of weeks now, but I’m back. By back I mean back from a short holiday we took. Went down to the Black Hills and the Badlands in South Dakota. We left Sunday, September 2 and came back Monday, September 10.

The weather was great and the trip went well. The last time we were in that area of the US was in 1968. A long time ago. Things have changed from what we remember. The heads of the American Presidents in Mount Rushmore are still the same impressive sight, but they’ve erected a huge parking house and an elaborate construction for viewing the heads. And we had to pay to get in. That’s one of the somewhat disappointing things. It is expensive to see all the attractions. We also went to see Crazy Horse, another huge and impressive project, but it cost twenty bucks admission. Fifteen Dollars to drive through Custer Park and another similar entrance fee to drive through the Badlands. I believe it was Fifteen Dollars also. I’m not sure.

We stayed in Hill City, pretty much the center of the Black Hills and close to all the attractions. Our stay at the Best Western Plus Golden Spike was pleasant. Nice place with a comfortable King size bed and great continental breakfast in the morning. In the evening we dined in various restaurants, had great steak ($11.95 for a 9 oz steak) at the Alpine Inn, and fine foods at other nice restaurants. The prices are quite reasonable and the portions large. Perhaps a bit too large sometimes. No wonder people gain weight eating those large meals, especially for lunch.

Our first visit was to the Museum in the Black Hill Institute in Hill City. It features skeletons of dinosaurs. The largest attraction is Stan, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, one of the skeletons discovered in the Black Hills. Also many impressive geodes and other beautiful rocks on display.

Another attraction we visited was the Rushmore Caves, and we were treated to an exclusive tour, because my wife and I were the only ones going at that particular time. We had a nice time with the guide and were able to ask many questions which he answered. Quite an experience to see the natural caves and squeezing through some narrow passages. When we asked if they advised corpulent people about those narrow passages, we were told they don’t want to offend people. I’d say better offend than have them getting stuck.

Keystone was another interesting town. It is one of the oldest cities in the Black Hills. Half of it is old and the other half new. We went to a Western Show in a pub, which was quite entertaining and funny. One of the three players was Seven feet two inches tall. His name was Big Dave Murra. The other player was Michael Paul. The third one was Jerry Allan. He said he appeared in various Western Movies. He sang two songs and I wished he would have sung more. He had a great voice.

On our way home we stopped at the Reptile Gardens in Rapid City. It cost $11.00 a person to get in, but there were plenty of poisonous and non-poisonous snakes in addition to huge crocodiles and alligators to see. Many of these places are privately funded so we can’t really complain about the high admission fees

After we passed through the Badlands we stayed overnight in Kadoka. Not much there, but we had supper at Club 27 Steakhouse. The prime rib was a nice size and tasty. Paid $17.50 for a 10oz steak (including the salad bar). Yes, there was a bit of fat on it, but that’s what gives it the taste. We can’t get a 10oz prime rib for that kind of money here were we live.

Sadly, not all the food was great. I had the worst sandwich at the Rising Bread Co, located in the West Acres Mall in Fargo. $6.99 for a half sandwich w/soup. I had the bacon/lettuce on pumpernickel. Not much room to put anything on the tiny half sandwich, and it was so greasy my stomach was upset for the rest of the day. It was an awful sandwich that was overpriced.

But everything was forgiven and forgotten when we had lunch in the Columbia Mall in Grand Forks the next day. If you ever visit Grand Forks and you like Chinese Food eat at the Grand Forks Magic ChopStix. One of the vendors in the Mall. Reasonable prices and good food. We ate there last year and liked it. This time didn’t disappoint either. $5.68 for a Combo. We pay at least $8.00 here for the same Combo.

I kept a diary and I’ll be doing reviews on tripadvisor for every hotel we stayed in and also for every restaurant we ate lunch or supper. Most of the reviews will be favorable. I’ll be posting the links here as they happen.

Unfortunately, when you have a good time everything seems to move much quicker. One week is too short and it passes too fast. Now over a week has passed already and we’re back into our old routines. There was so much to do when we came back. The garden needed attention. With the temperatures dropping to around Zero Celsius and even lower at night I was forced to pick all of the tomatoes and peppers. And there were plenty this year. We made Salsa enough to last us through the winter. But it will be nice to eat hot Salsa in those cold evenings.

More next time.