Although we spent a lot of time today, looking in awe at what we were experiencing, we still managed to record 336 miles. Spending the night in Spearfish, South Dakota. Clear sky and temperatures in the high fifties. Coming across the badlands of South Dakota we did get to see some antelope, deer, and prairie dog colonies. Seeing the variety of Indian Reservations in the area was quite interesting. Had hoped to stop in Harrington, South Dakota just to say we had been there and perhaps discover a little family history. Although it is listed on the map, GPS "Susie"denied any knowledge of a town by that name. However, looking on the map we knew it was very close to the border of Central and Mountain Standard time. Again, the map showed the community off the main highway just a few miles, however, we did not find any sign or access road leading to Harrington, SD. Stopping in the next town for coffee I asked the sales clerk if she knew where it was, she had never heard of it yet it was within ten miles of this community. However, she pointed out the coffee table and said one of those "old men" would know. All of them very friendly and had heard of it but never been there. Fortunately, one of them did have some information. Use to be a grocery store in Harrington run by the O'Neil family but it had been closed for ten years. Nothing there any more except the old buildings. As how the name was derived for the community. According to this man, Harrington had a small ranch there but was also caught being a horse thief. I am sure that I do not share any genes with the founder of Harrington, South Dakota.

We made our first visit to Crazy Horse Monument just south of Mount Rushmore. If you are ever in the area, it is a must see. All government funding for this project has been turned down, it is being constructed by contributions and a modest entrance fee. To see everything, plan on spending a full day as this location also houses the Indian Museum of North America. Thousands of items to review and study with hundreds of original photos of the great Chiefs that lead the various tribes.

Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear invited sculptor Korezak Paderewski to carve a statue of Crazy Horse because of his dedication to the Native Americans. Korezak started work on the mountain in 1948 and only $174.00 to his name. He passed away in 1982, still working on the mountain. Today, his wife, children,and grandchildren continue the effort. When completed, it will show Crazy Horse sitting on a horse with his hand reaching out in front of him. Only the front shoulders and head of the horse will be carved. The reason the hand it stretched out is from a quote by Crazy Horse, "My lands are where my dead is buried". It is the world's largest mountain carving. Is is 563 feet high. The head of Crazy Horse is 87.5 feet tall. The feather in his hair is 44 feet in length. His arm will have a total length of 263 feet and his hands are a size 33 feet. His arm is the level area below his head. The white outline on the rocks is the 45 foot ear and 16 foot eye of the horse. The hole in the mountain is the space between the arms of Crazy Horse and his horse.

This was our second time to visit Mount Rushmore in two years. It deserves to be visited each time you pass through this area. It is an inspirational visit each time you see the faces on the rocks or visit the great American History museum, not only how the mountain was carved but why these great Americans were chosen to grace the mountain.

The "icing on the cake" for today occurred just a few miles from Mount Rushmore. I once again was in the right place at the right time and caught a heard of Big Horn Sheep. A half dozen stayed on the cliff out of my reach, however four of the largest rams came in and I was able to shoot them without using a telephoto lens. These four big rams had buddied up, evidently something that they do prior to the rut. I have to admit, half my shots are useless, I had a little buck fever and was shooting as fast as I could before I lost them. The shots I messed up on were the four rams drinking out of a small stream. I don't care who you are, when you see four rams of this size, either hunting or with a camera, you are going to get a little "buck fever".

Come first light, we will be heading out for Wyoming. Will likely spend the night in Cody, Wyoming so we are lined up for Yellowstone National Park the following day.