The Yellowstone Expedition: Day 4 - Mount Rushmore and Jewel Cave

So, we got up early this morning, or at least tried to. Either way, we got to Mount Rushmore before the crowd really showed up. It was suppose to be a quick stop. See the Monument, get my Passport to the National Parks stamped, and get out. Did not work out like that though. 

Dad and I in front of Mount Rushmore

The weather was overcast and windy. There was even a hint of rain. So after a few good pictures we went into the museum. The history there was very interesting. Dad was particularly keen on how they did the construction. After about an hour we discovered that the weather had done a complete 180. I have trouble turning down a chance to take a hike. Even though I told he did not need to, dad went along with me. We got a great view of the monument up close. Turns out it seems bigger when you get close. 

One of the best angles. You can see them all pretty clear.

The final thing to take up a lot of time was visiting the gift shop, which was overflowing by this time. I needed a few things. Sometimes serendipity happens. I had been so tired on my way home from Origins on Sunday that I forgot to pick up a book for dad like I had planned to on my way home. In the gift shop, though, was one of the original workers, Don "Nick" Clifford, from the the Mount Rushmore project signing copies of his book about the experience. Naturally, I got a copy for dad.

All of the state flags lining the way to Mount Rushmore

 We finally bid farewell to Mount Rushmore and got on our way. That meant driving through the Black Hills National Forest. It was utterly breathtaking. I loved riding along those forested roads and through the gentle meadows. It was a welcome break after the vast expanses of flatlands in Iowa and eastern South Dakota. The Black Hills are the kind of environment that truly call to my soul with their wild beauty. I would have loved time to explore them more and roam freely among the great ponderosa pines. While the deciduous forests back east are the most welcoming to me, the pine and juniper have their own attraction as well.

The best part, though, came when we spotted some bison out in a meadow. We watched them for a while as they lay about and grazed. I tried to move in a bit closer, but did not care to wade to far into thigh deep grass (not to mention dodging buffalo dung). Dad was able to find some bison fur from a rubbing. I shall have to find a container for it when I get home. A shot time later we saw another one close to the road. I got as close to him as I dare, which was still just a bit shy of stupid close. A roadway and a ditch was all the more distance between us, and I was tempted to cross the roadway. Caution won out over courage though on the grounds that I would have then been a LOT closer to the bison than to the car.

One of the best close ups of wildlife I can expect

The next stop I had planned was Jewel Cave National Monument. We arrived and got tickets for the 1500 tour. Having some time to kill, I took a quick hike along the Roof Trail. I could see where fires had passed through the hills and left fallen logs. Prescribed burns had kept the fires from destroying the visitor center fortunately.

We descended 380 ft. beneath the ground (still 5,000 ft. above sea level though). The caves are constant 49*, so its good I knew to bring long sleaves along. The winding passages sported deposits of quartz and various stone formations. The most common where bumpy spars that covered most of the walls. I only wish that I had a better camera, or that I knew how to use mine better in low light conditions. I did manage a few good shots though, including one of a thing ribbon formation. Being down there has reawakened my love of geology. I suspect soon I will be doing a bit of research into amature spelunking.

Bacon! Or more aptly a ribbon formation

There is little to tell of the rest of the day. It consisted mostly of driving through Wyoming. Not a lot of fun there. We got a room and dinner, and tomorrow we will try to get as close to Yellowstone as we can. On a particularly happy note, I was able to identify the two birds from yesterday. One was a western meadowlark and the other was a mountain bluebird. I love when I can put a name to what I have seen.