Wine and Stone…….

We enjoyed the last Harvest Host (except for the whole getting in to the place issue) so we decided to try another one. We left Wyoming and headed to South Dakota and Mt. Rushmore. Via Nebraska:) 

 

                                                 

That would make the 10th state we have driven through on our 3 month journey!  Not that we are purposely driving through states just to get another sticker on our map:)

Driving off of the main highways on more scenic byways’ has been awesome. So much to see, so many little towns to drive through. Less traffic and less aggravation. Passing little mom and pop type stores and restaurants, local places where everyone knows your name, peaceful scenery and homegrown foods. It is a reminder that they still exist in certain parts of this country where the big box stores and chain restaurants haven’t run them out of business.

 

  Truck grave yard.....

Tractor grave yard.....

                                                                          

 

                                          

　　

　

                                                                                        
　

We passed a sign, “Wind caves” National Park along our route. 

 

 
Wind caves? What was that? So we pulled off, ever fearful of the no turn around option and followed the signs to the Visitor Center. In the fields running along side the road we noticed prairie dogs popping up. EVERYWHERE. It was like that arcade game where you would try to hit them over the head and another one would pop up! It was crazy. We haven’t seen that many prairie dogs anywhere! 



And white tail deer.................

 

 So we arrive at 430pm into the building. They close at 500pm and the last cave tour was getting ready to start. Cave tour? Yes, they bring you down into the belly of the earth. AND there is a constant wind in these caves. Hence the name, Wind cave. No thank you. We were able to do a quick walk around the visitor center and out to the opening of one of the caves. We stuck our head by the opening and we were greeted with a constant breeze coming out. Looking down it was dark and narrow. The only one disappointed in not doing this tour was Joe. The rest of us were all quiet happy to walk away!  　

We arrived at Stone Face Winery in Hill City South Dakota about 530pm on Friday. Looking forward to a nice bottle of wine with our dinner. As we pulled into the parking lot Joe and I look at each other and both say oh crap. It is a Winery, not a Vineyard! Why we didn’t think of that earlier! Sometimes the Winery is located in front of the Vineyard. Not so lucky this time. Well, we would make the most of it. 

                                                

　
                                           
　      
So we park in the little parking lot and are met by the Winery manager John. Unfortunately they are closed for the day (website said 700pm) and do not open until 1000am the next morning. Oh and we need to pull out and go down this narrow bumpy road behind the parking lot and into the other gravel parking lot at the bottom of the hill, yes that one with the 2 dirt mounds in it. Really? First no wine and now we have another tight road!!

So we disconnect everything and go through the routine we are beginning to hate. It isn’t just an easy thing to do, disconnect the car. You have to unhook the metal chains from the car to the trailer, then un-strap the tires (the clip holding the straps on is old and rusted so Joe has to bang on them with the butt of the hatchet) and then drive off of it.

Along the way we passed the Crazy Horse Monument.  Only half completed.  Tina and I only had to drive by it TWICE to notice it!




We find the campground, Broken Arrow, easy in, easy out, looked really cute and where on our way back. Driving through the small town of Custer on the way back to the Winery set your mind to a different era, to the old west! They had big Bison statues on the corners decorated and painted various ways.

 

Little shops boasting western wear and restaurants lined the side walks.

 

 

There was only 1 stop light!

Along the main route to the Winery was the turn off for Mount Rushmore. One of the main reasons we chose this Harvest Host Winery was for the location, only a few miles from Mt. Rushmore.

We had no place to be so we decided to drive up to check out the park and know what to expect for tomorrow and see what it looks like at night. We pass a lot of cars on our way up. As we pull into the parking lot we see it.



Amazing sitting against the backdrop of the dark sky. Mt. Rushmore.  The line heading out of the park was bumper to bumper. BUT there were still people heading into the park. It was a few minutes before 900pm. We weren’t sure what time they closed at so we pulled up to the ticket booth. Of course we can come in! The park closes at 930pm, they close their booths at 900pm, it was 858pm! You don’t have to pay to go into see the monument, but you do have to pay to park! It was $11.00 and good for a year. Not to bad. So we pay and go in.

　


It was really nice because the place was almost empty! But the visitor center was closed already and the gift shop closes at 930pm. We need to get a move on it.......



                                         
To say it was awesome is not enough. Awe inspiring was more like it. To see these men’s faces, all illuminated, that we have read about and seen only in magazines and history books, up close, it was hard to describe. Watching Gabe take it all in was the best part.

Half an hour was not enough time to do much but stand there and stare. We had to come back, do the behind the scene tours and talk to the Park Rangers.
　
　
Along the Pathway to the view platform where flags, representing states and Us Territories along with plaques listing when the states became a state.



We each found the states we were born in……

　

 

 

 After buying some souvenirs we left and planned to come back in the morning. They open at 700am. So Gabe and Joe were up and out the door the next morning at 700 am! 



They were one of the first ones there, almost......



                                             
Billy goats, just wandering around the parking garage minding their own business!

Once there they walked the trail under the noses of the Presidents


                                            



                                              



                                                



                                                       
                                                            


which led them to the visitor center. Inside they learned about who’s idea it was to build the monument



how it came to fruition.............



                                                

 

 

 and Gabe earned another Jr. Ranger badge!

 

 

                                                               

 

                                                            

Once they returned Joe and I headed into the Winery for a “tasting”. Remember with Harvest Host they ask that you purchase something from them as a type of repayment for staying for free overnight. No worries. We can take care of that. Unfortunately their wines were not the greatest, but we bought a bottle and left. We were due at the next campground, Broken Arrow and had more exploring to do!