South Dakota here we come...

The next stop on our huge adventure was South Dakota. The main aim of our journey here was to see Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore.

Little did we know that we were about to stumble upon the biggest Motorcycle Rally in the USA - Sturgis! Since 1938, Sturgis has welcomed motorcycle enthusiasts from across the United States and around the world to the annual Motorcycle Rally. Based out of this small community in the northern Black Hills, the Rally officially runs for seven days every August.

Motorcycle traffic to and around South Dakota typically increases as early as two weeks before the official start date of the event and continues for as late as two weeks after the conclusion.

What started as a weekend celebration with less than two dozen racers participating in a handful of events including half-mile races, ramp jumps, and board-wall crashes, the Rally has grown significantly. First organized solely by the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club, the Rally now takes the efforts of most of the population of Sturgis (approximately 6,400) as well as hundreds of outside vendors. It is estimated that over 100,000 people attended this years event, and we were in the thick of things.

Garry still located a great camping site, be it amongst a large group of bikes!

While travelling to South Dakota I discovered the current National Geographic magazine's feature article investigated the Pine Ridge Reservation and the Shadow of Wounded Knee.

The article discusses that after 150 years of broken promises, the Oglala Lakota people of the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota are nurturing their tribal customs, language, and beliefs. The article is a portrait that explains their resilience in the face of hardship.

Oglala youths hold an upside-down flag—an international symbol of distress and an act of defiance toward the U.S. government—at a rally to commemorate a 1975 shoot-out between American Indian Movement (AIM) activists and FBI agents. Two agents and one AIM member died; AIM’s Leonard Peltier was jailed for life. Photo by Aron Huey

The article explains that Alex White Plume, a 60-year-old Oglala Lakota activist, lives with his family and extended family on a 2,000-acre ranch near Wounded Knee Creek.  According to author  Alexandra Fuller, White Plume’s land is lovely beyond any singing, rolling out from sage-covered knolls to creeks bruised with late summer lushness. From certain aspects, you can see the Badlands, all sun-bleached spires and scoured pinnacles. And looking another way, you can see the horizon-crowning darkness of the Black Hills of South Dakota.

 White Plume asked us all to consider the seemingly calculated insult of Mount Rushmore. “The leaders of the people who have broken every treaty with my people have their faces carved into our most holy place. What is the equivalent? Do you have an equivalent?”

After reading this moving article I couldn't face a visit to Mount Rushmore. Instead we headed for the sculpture in progress, called Crazy Horse.

Whitewater Rafting on the Flathead River...

Glacier Park is so beautiful, we decided to combine our sightseeing with a little adventure. I booked us into a half day trip down the Flathead River. This particular stretch of water was made famous by Meryl Streep and Kevin Bacon when they starred in the movie, "The River Wild". The movie was filmed on this exact stretch of water.

I assured the assured the rafting company that Max was not afraid of the water and could swim - especially if in a life jacket. He was a year under the age limit, but because I was confident he would cope they were fine with that. Great - our first family adventure activity was about to become a reality.

Our trip began with a short bus trip up the river.

Our adventure would consist of a six mile trip down the river. The first two miles would be quite gentle, while the last four would contain grade 2 and 3 with one grade 4 rapid. It was a perfect day with the temperature in the mid 30's. The first two miles gave us time to really admire the scenery - Wow!

Things were starting to heat up, so Yas and Max took their new seats on the ground of the boat in the center of the boat between Garry and I. With their feet wedged under the seat and gripping the safety rope tightly the real fun began.

The following images were taken by a photographer who worked for the Rafting Company. These shots feature the rapid named, "Bonecrusher!"

I am so happy I have this memory that I can share with my Husband and Children. We had a great day!

Crater Lake - an Unexpected Surprise...

After leaving Ed's home we headed for yet another National Park - Crater Lakes. This was another two days of solid driving. I must admit the time on the road was starting to take its toll on me. At this point we had travelled for more than 4,000 miles in our trusty Subaru. We had already visited seven beautiful national parks. I was starting to dream of Gaylord street in Denver.....

Thankfully,  Garry remained tough and we continued our road trip because Crate Lakes was really beautiful - I was not expecting it to be so amazing.

The water inside the Crater was the most wonderful ultra marine blue - I called it Brett Whiteley Blue.

No place else combines a deep, pure lake, so blue in color, sheer surrounding cliffs, almost two thousand feet high; two picturesque islands; and a violent volcanic past. It is a place of immeasurable beauty.

Under the trees at our campground, we collected pine cones and really enjoyed the beautiful evenings around the fire together. Smores were a big hit with Yas and Max, while Garry and I really enjoyed the incredibly clear night skies.

We were lucky to spot some wildlife both at our camping ground and while exploring in and around the park. We spotted a little Squirrel, a Clarke's Nutcracker and even a Deer.

Besides the actual lake, we completed some hikes including one to Vidae Falls.

We also explored the rock formations known as the Pinnacles. These towering needle-like formations of rock, called fossil fumaroles, projecting from the Sand Creek Canyon floor, were formed under sheets of volcanic pumice that preceded Mazama's collapse.

As the surface of the hot pumice cooled over the years, steam and gases were released by the hot rocks underneath through vents and tubes that were welded into cement hardness by their passage. These ancient vents now stand alone due to the erosion of the surrounding softer materials.

After three nights and two full days exploring this National Park we said farewell and hit the road.

Sam's Dad's House ....

On day two at Sam's Dad's we had a really slow start. We all enjoyed a lovely breakfast of freshly laid eggs, collected the previous day by the children.We sat around the fire pit, enjoying, lovely fresh food in such a beautiful place. 

After breakfast we met up with Sam's Dad Ed - who kindly took us on a tour of his beautiful property. Ed is a retired Forester and is extremely knowledgeable about his land and surroundings.

Max especially enjoyed hunting for Frog's

During our tour, Ed introduced us to Huckleberries. These small berries are delicious.

Max didn't enjoy them as much as everyone else.

I do believe Ed lives in an exquisite part of the world.

After a quick trip down to the California Coast we returned to join Ed and Merry for a great evening of dinner, wine and conversation in their beautiful home.

The Koi pond is my favorite part of the house. At the end of the night we said our goodbyes - we had all bonded and again I felt close to Sam and Annie. This is the really strange part of a teaching exchange - we live in their home, sleep in their bed and holiday with their family - yet we have never met. But I feel like we know Sam and Annie so well?

Thank you Ed and Merry for your generosity and company. Our stay with you will be a wonderful memory.


P.S.  Ed - your art print will be in the mail - please not to the Chicken shed!