A Spectacular Road Trip Through
South Dakota By Suzanne Stavert
M
any people seem to leave The Dakotas for last when trying to visit every state in the U.S. I think that’s a big mistake! This area of the country is spectacular, with nature so abounding and incredible, you almost can't believe it’s real. Traveling the U.S. by car is so much more personal than flying from one large urban city to another. Our South Dakota road trip enabled us to experience these beautiful landscapes at a leisurely pace. We seem to rush through everything these days, so I was pretty happy to slow down in magnificent surroundings like these. My advice is to fly into Rapid City, South Dakota, and then road trip from here to see this beautiful and unique state. I have no doubt you’ll leave there as enamored by it as I was.
Mount Rushmore As you drive around the final bend in the highway before the exit, the magnificent presidential faces of Mount Rushmore suddenly appear in the distance— as if they were dropped from the sky. It was so impressive! We stood in awe of this engineering marvel. Mount Rushmore’s construction began in 1927 by sculptor Gutzon Borglum with the dedication of George Washington's head three years later. Considering the equipment at the time was nothing like what we have today, it makes this massive memorial even more remarkable. Before each evening's lighting ceremony, there is a fascinating, pre-recorded message that explains why Borglum chose these presidents, significant historical references to their presidencies, and other interesting facts. After the message, we all seemed to rise in unison to sing the National Anthem. All hats came off, hands covered hearts, and we sang. When we finished, you could have heard a pin drop, and many of us were wiping away a tear. The Lighting Ceremony takes place every evening, so make sure you stay long enough to experience this. Check the website for accurate start times.
42
Mount Rushmore
Custer State Park Located in the famous Black Hills, Custer State Park is a South Dakota State Park and wildlife reserve. South Dakota’s first state park is named after famous Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer. One of our first stops in the Park was the incomparable Sylvan Lake. We arrived just after a small rain shower, and the sky was clear and the lake incredibly still. The mirror image of the enormous boulders above and below on the water was magical. I kept thinking, "Why didn't anyone ever tell me about this place?" Nearly speechless, I stood in silent awe. Nearby Custer State Park, you can easily drive over to see the Crazy Horse Memorial. This monument is a work in progress, but worthy of a stop along your road trip.
The Needles Highway Next on our route through Custer State Park was
