Travel plans, need your ideas?
July 1 through July 16, starting from Indianapolis. Thinking about the final destination to be Keystone, SD (Mount Rushmore) approximately 1100 miles one way (2200 round trip). Planning on approximat...
Forum Discussion
As just suggested, be sure you take in one evening at Mt. Rushmore. The program, patriotic music, and lighting of the monument after dark are all quite impressive. If you have never been to Mt. Rushmore you might want to visit on two days--once in the morning for better lighting for photos and once in late afternoon--staying for the evening program. We have been there several times, but our visit the last time for the evening program was a highlight. Had two teenage grandsons with us and they were even highly impressed with the patriotic program. We arrived at about 4:30 pm and stayed for the evening program. You might want to take a blanket--as it cools off a lot as soon as the sun goes down.
We also enjoyed our drive through Spearfish Canyon, a tour of the gold mine in Lead where the kids panned gold, and a visit to the D.C. Booth fish hatchery at Spearfish--which is the oldest federal fish hatchery in the country.
One other idea--check out the High Plains, Nebraska ranch and bunkhouse in extreme NW Nebraska, north of Chadron, next to Toadstool State Park. They have limited RV hookups and one of the best steak dinners we have ever had, served bunk house style. The entire "town" is recreated and furnished with authentic High Plains buildings moved into the area by the owners. It is totally relaxing. Beautiful setting. Truly away from it all. And absolutely delicious food served in their dining room/bunk house area. Requires reservations, but worth every bit of trouble in finding the place. A great place to spend a few hours in the afternoon, spend the night in the middle of the prairie, and head on north into the Black Hills the next day.
We also enjoyed our drive through Spearfish Canyon, a tour of the gold mine in Lead where the kids panned gold, and a visit to the D.C. Booth fish hatchery at Spearfish--which is the oldest federal fish hatchery in the country.
One other idea--check out the High Plains, Nebraska ranch and bunkhouse in extreme NW Nebraska, north of Chadron, next to Toadstool State Park. They have limited RV hookups and one of the best steak dinners we have ever had, served bunk house style. The entire "town" is recreated and furnished with authentic High Plains buildings moved into the area by the owners. It is totally relaxing. Beautiful setting. Truly away from it all. And absolutely delicious food served in their dining room/bunk house area. Requires reservations, but worth every bit of trouble in finding the place. A great place to spend a few hours in the afternoon, spend the night in the middle of the prairie, and head on north into the Black Hills the next day.
