Mt. Rushmore

Day 1

Off we go to a scenic and untamed vacation to South Dakota. Our travels take us through Wisconsin and across Minnesota to Sioux Falls, SD for our first overnight.

Day 2

This morning, visit the Ogallala Lakota Living History Village, an entry point to the indigenous knowledge of Lakota Country on the edge of Badlands National Park. First stop at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center prior to driving through some of the 244,000 acres of unique rock formations. The Badlands has always been shrouded in ancient mystery but timeless beauty. Continuing to our overnight destination of Deadwood, we'll spend the next three nights in a downtown hotel in the heart of the action on Main Street. Walk this famous western town and enjoy dinner on your own before experiencing the longest running, old west stage show in the world! See the shooting in Old #10 Saloon. Witness Jack McCall get run down in the street and put on trial for the murder of Wild Bill Hickok.

Day 3

This morning enjoy a one hour, narrated tour of Deadwood's historic Mt. Moriah, the city's famous Boot Hill, plus other notable city landmarks. Also visit the graves of Wild Bill and Calamity Jane. This is an open-air tram for prime viewing as you see Deadwood from the crest of Brown Rocks. The Trail of 76 Museum has one of the most complete collections of historic wagons, antiques and native artifacts in the Black Hills. The museum documents and celebrates the rodeo as well and illustrates Deadwood's enduring friendship with Buffalo Bill Cody. With the success of the movie Dances with Wolves, the nearby attraction is the incredible life-sized sculpture of the "buffalo jump" known as Tatanka. We return to Deadwood for free time to explore many of the other museums or even to try your luck as so many did in the past, at one of the local casinos. Dinner will be included this evening.

Day 4

As the world's largest collection of privately owned black bears. Bear Country USA features a spectacular wildlife park nestled on 200 acres of Black Hills beauty where you'll see not only black bears, but grizzly bears plus over 20 species of North American animals including buffalo, wolves and elk. All this from the comfort of a vehicle. After this drive through tour, walk around Babyland where baby bears frolic in the great outdoors. Following our tour, we continue to the stunning Mount Rushmore. There is plenty of time to stroll the exhibit and take photographs. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum created this sculpture and oversaw the project's execution from 1927 to 1941 with the help of his son, Lincoln Borglum. The four presidents were chosen to represent the nation's birth, growth, development and preservation, respectively. Later, take a jeep tour through Custer State Park. Drive past herds of free roaming buffalo, antelope and prairie dogs. What a great adventure! The Crazy Horse Memorial is still unfinished. It's dedicated to the indigenous Native Americans and has rejuvenated the adjacent communities with art galleries and boutiques featuring the dignity of these original inhabitants. Enjoy the Laughing Water Restaurant right here at the memorial and an included dinner before returning to the hotel.

Day 5

Today we begin our journey eastward. During our travels we make a necessary stop at world-famous Wall Drug Store for a tall glass of ice water and last-minute souvenirs. Lunch on your own at Al's Oasis, a great souvenir spot, a legend in these here parts. Our final overnight stay will be in Fairmont, MN at the Holiday Inn Express.

Day 6

This wild-west tour of the mysterious but beautiful Black Hills of the Dakotas is almost over but won't be forgotten. We hope you enjoyed what you learned about our country and its freedoms and achievements.

B=Breakfast, D =Dinner