South Dakota is the 17th biggest state in the USA - South Dakota State Facts

Our last day in touring South Dakota was yesterday. So, let me catch my blog up so I won't be to far behind in updating.  These are the activities that we did yesterday. I am updating while we are heading out of South Dakota and going into Wyoming. We see how well my connection last!  :)

Bear Country USA (in Rapid City, South Dakota)  is home to 20 species of North American mammals which live in large natural exhibits. While captive born, every effort is made to imitate a wild environment for our animal residents. Larger species roam freely throughout 250 acres of the drive-thru park. Smaller animals, as well as those younger than one year, are exhibited in the Babyland area.- Bear Country

With our RV set up from the night before, we hopped into the SUV and headed to Bear Country. Bear Country could be called a zoo and we wanted to get there early in the morning while the animals were out and about eating and roaming.  For some of our Zoo adventure, you stay in your car and drive through many, many acres. The other half of the zoo, you get out and walk among trails to see the baby animals. Our favorite was the bear cubs! 

Since, this is the animals homes, you are to stay in your car with your windows up, because they animals roam free. That means the animals have the right-away. This can be some what frustrating at times and also funny. It reminded me of growing up in Alaska. You never knew what visitor would be in your yard that day!  

Here is a bear that was pulling guard duty. He kept going back and forth and wouldn't let us pass. Eventually, we paid or fee!  (A lot of TIME waiting!)  He eventually let us pas through.  Only the next car wasn't so lucky. They too had to wait. Their wait included two bears going back and forth! (giggle)

Just hanging out....

Bear Country also has other animals for you to see too.  There were lots of Elk (left picture) and many Mountain Goats. This one is losing his winter coat.  They also have Big Horn Sheep, Mountain Lions, Otters, Beavers, Foxes and many other animals.

Now, one of my favorite animals is the Wolf!  So, I was tickled when a Artic wolf walked right by my window. (Beloved spent some extra time letting me watch the packs roam around our car.)  

My little ones like "barrel-john deere tractor pulling" transportation. So when we got out to walk around the Baby Animal area of the park, the Little Ones were excited with what they saw. Beloved let them take a couple of rides around the park. 

While at the Park we bought our first "Restaurant" meal while RVing!!! 

We all ate BUFFALO burgers and BUFFALO Hot Dog! (giggle) Now, growing up in Alaska,  I have had them many times before  so it wasn't anything new to me. However, it was the Little Ones first time and also Beloveds!  I would have taken a picture but my camera battery went dead and I needed to charge it for the next attraction! (sigh) Everyone was so hungry that it was packed away in those little tummies! The Little Lady was full of questions about what she was eating though. (giggle)

"A monument's dimensions should be determined by the importance to civilization of the events commemorated. We are not here trying to carve an epic, portray a moonlight scene, or write a sonnet; neither are we dealing with mystery or tragedy, but rather the constructive and dramatic moments or crises in our amazing history." -- Gutzon Borglum the carver of Mount Rushmore. 

Now, you can't go through South Dakota with out seeing Mount Rushmore.  It just isn't right! So that was exactly where we went next-- to see the faces of 4 Presidents. President Washington, Jefferson, Rooservelt and Lincoln. Did you know that Rooservelt actually has glasses on?  

And just cause you never know if you have the next Future President in your Family. It is important to take a picture with your Little Ones just incase they become the next one carved on the mountain! (giggle) Just kidding the Mountain is finished!

Sitting on a Mount Rushmore rock.

If you have been following my blog for years you know that we do the JR Ranger Programs at all the National and State Parks that we go to. Well this was no exception. The Little Ones received their book, did all the activities for their age group....

and pledged the oath...     I think they are up to about 10 badges and patches now!

"The mission of the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation is to protect and preserve the culture, tradition, and living heritage of the North American Indians."  -- Crazy Horse Monument and Historical Museums.

Our next stop was to see the 5th Head of the Black Hills. Not to far from Mount Rushmore is the continuing carving of a memorial to the Lakota leader Crazy Horse. The carving is representative of all North American Indians.  Since the carving, unlike Mount Rushmore has the goverment's money behind it, Crazy Horse is being funded totally by Private Donations. So, it is taking awhile but when it is done the carving will be absolutely beautiful and the biggest in the Nation.

The Crazy Horse Museum is very large. It is dedicated to all Native American Artifacts. They have many Historical Items, many Native American (particularly Lakota Indian's on site that display their arts and crafts along with many ceremonial items. They also have local Native Musicians as well. The Museum is also a Native American Educational and Cultural Center, and is also a center that is operational for University classes and as a medical training center for Native Americans.

There were so many rooms in the Museum. A lot of the Historical Artifacts came from Custards time. Here is just a glimpse of one of the rooms in the Museum.  Although I could have taken hundreds of pictures of the spear, bow and arrows, pottery, the weapons that they used to fight with, the rugs, the flags, and all the beautiful Indian jewelry.  I found the Buffalo eye striking and unusual.  On one side the buffalo is red and yellow. On the other side it is black and white.  I wondered what was the artist doing? 

Apparently, there are 4 Directions of the Lakota People. There are 4 colors that represent them also and there are 4 animals that represent those colors and Directions. To the West is the color Black and the Thunderbird. To the North is the color Red and the Buffalo. To the East is the color Yellow and the Elk. To the South is the color White and the Eagle.  The Colors also represent the 4 colors of mankind as well.  

The Buffalo is symbolic of the Lakota's way of life and their beliefs. The artist wants all who view him to want to learn more of the Lakota People. The artist of the Buffalo is Donald F. Montileaux an Oglala Lakota Artist.  

After, our "tourist" adventures for the day, we went back to camp. The Little Ones played on the play ground and road their cycles. We had dinner and packed up the RV a little. We planned on getting up early (on June 8th) and making our way to my Dad's old stomping grounds! He grew up in Wyoming!  

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