In Summation.

    The trip was fantastic. Yellowstone is a special place that everyone should see at least once in their lives. The Black Hills are a great place to visit as well. It's a long way out there. I think I might fly and rent a car next time. But without a doubt, this was the best vacation that I've taken to this date. Hope everyone has enjoyed the blog as much as I have making it. Happy travels.

Hot Air Balloon and Mount Rushmore

    Stayed in Hill City in the heart of the Black Hills. Did a hot air balloon ride over the Black Hills at 6:00 a.m. Really spectacular. 34 degrees that morning. But no wind to speak of. Then went to Mount Rushmore and took in the majesty of those large heads. Very impressive. Here's some pics.

Nanook of the North helps out.

The Black Hills

    Spent the night in Rapid City, SD. Next morning, after an excellent breakfast at Perkins, we visited the Crazy Horse Memorial and then spent the rest of the day at Custer State Park. We went to a Woodcarving Museum before the park. Don't do it. I personally know two woodcarvers who are better artists than anything I paid to see there. Waste of money. Here's the pics from the Memorial and Park.

Tracy going native on me.

Custer State Park

Longhorn Cattle

Pronghorn

Pronghorn butt.

Bison

Burros

Bighorn Mountains back to Rapid City, SD

   We stayed in Cody, WY the night we left the park. Then drove thru the Bighorn Mountains and Bighorn National Forest on our way back to Rapid City, SD and the Black Hills. Once again, there was plenty of snow at the higher elevations, roughly 9,000 feet. Here are some pictures of the Bighorns.

Wide open country.

Tracy found a stream named after her.

Pronghorns