We have finalized our two weeks in the Rapid City, SD area. Again, if you plan on coming here, shoot for 2 weeks because there is so much to do.
We finalized our stay by driving the Iron Mountain Road which is a 17 mile stretch in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This sign says it all but the drive is beautiful through the pine forest. Don’t worry about the curves – there are plenty of guard rails so you won’t go over. You ears will pop, however, as you are going up and down the mountain.
Here are some scenes from the drive.
Seeing Mt. Rushmore through two tunnels.
We went into Rapid City to first have lunch at Firehouse Brewing Co. restaurant. This was a cool place to stop because it is a converted Firehouse. “Housed in the original Rapid City firehouse, a structure built in 1915, it is listed on the National Historic Register. The bar is adorned with authentic South Dakota firefighting memorabilia from the days of Rapid City’s first fire brigades – including the original fire pole, ladders, patches and more.” Eating outside you get to see the great murals on the walls. The food was great.
We then walked around Rapid City. Rapid City is known at the City of Presidents because on almost every corner is a Presidential Statue. https://www.visitrapidcity.com/things-to-do/city-presidents
We couldn’t resist taking a selfie.
While driving by another area, you found a place that was able to “add” more heads to the Mount Rushmore area. (There is always a discussion about more heads but the mountain will not support it.)
We finalized our stay by attending the Mount Rushmore Evening Light Ceremony. We should of arrived hours ahead of time because all of the 100s of seats were taken and there was only SRO.
It started with a talk from one of the rangers and then a video. From there, the faces are lite up.
And the above is Mike’s photograph that was caused when people were leaving during the Star Spangle Banner (really?).
Overall, great time in Rapid City, SD with lots to see. Off to the Tetons.
