South Dakota Vacation 2002 (May. 28th to June 1st)
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A Buffalo roaming the plains in Badlands National Park, South Daktoa
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A Buffalo roaming the plains in Badlands National Park, South Daktoa
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1. Badlands National Park (79 photos, including panoramas) : Picture Index Slide Show
Badlands National Park was created in 1978 comprising 244,300 acres. It is a land that has been ravaged by wind and water to create colorful spires and pinnacles, massive buttes and deep gorges. It was the French Canadian trappers who called the region "les mauvaises terres a traverser" (bad lands to travel across). Indians in the area called it "Mako sica" ( badland). It's desolation at its truest, where you can look for miles and see no sign of civilization. Yet, it is home for eagles, turkey vultures, deer, antelope, coyote, praire dog and of course the buffalo.
2. Custer State Park
(69 photos) :
Picture Index
Slide Show
3. Jewel Cave National Monument
(21 photos) :
Picture Index
Slide Show
4. Crazy Horse Memorial
(42 photos) :
Picture Index
Slide Show
Boston born sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski began work on June 3, 1948 to create a memorial for American Indians. He was almost 40 years old and had only $174 left to his name. Over the years, he battled financial hardship, racial prejudice, injuries and, finally, advancing age. A strong believer in the free enterprise system, he felt Crazy Horse should be built by the interested public and not the taxpayer. So, he twice turned down $10 million dollars in potential federal funding.
Korczak passed away in 1982 and is buried at the base of the Memorial. Today his wife, Ruth, and their 10 sons and daughters carry the project forward. He left them three planbooks and scale models showing how to continue after he died. After half a century, the colossal 88-foot high face of Crazy Horse, a visage with piercing eyes, flinty chin and tight, determined lips, was officially dedicated. With the face now finished, work has shifted to the stallion's 22-story head, progressing downward.
Awesome as it is, the mountain carving is only part of what Korczak had in mind. His master plan includes two other ambitious goals: an Indian Museum of North America, and a University and Medical Training Center for the North American Indian. A Native American Education & Cultural Center opened in the mid-90s.
Custer State Park, named for George A. Custer, is one of the nations largest state parks. It covers 73,000 acres in South Dakota's Black Hills just outside Custer, SD. The park features a world-class wildlife preserve famous for the nation's largest bison herds. As you travel through the park you will likely come upon, pronghorn antelopes, bighorn sheep, begging burros, and mountain goats. The park features spectacular geological formations, 3 scenic drives, and beautiful lakes.
Jewel Cave National Monument, located in South Dakota's Black Hills just outside Custer, SD,. has more than 120 miles of explored passage ways. It ranks as the second longest cave in the U.S. and the third longest cave in the world. The cave was discovered at the turn of the century by brothers and in 1908 it became a National Monument. Almost every chamber of Jewel Cave has an impressive collection of calcite crystals. Although these crystals are found in other cave systems, Jewel Cave has one of the most extensive crystal displays known. The crystals typically cover the walls in crust between two and six inches thick, or occur in deep pockets in the walls.
Crazy Horse Memorial is located in South Dakota's Black Hills six miles north of Custer, SD. on Thunderhead Mountain. It is a work in progress - a mountain-sized carving in the round (360-degrees) of the Indian Chief, Crazy Horse, on his spirited warhorse. Crazy Horse is the Lakota Sioux warrior who engineered the defeat of Lt. Col. George A. Custer. It is as long as a cruise ship and taller than a sixty story sky-scraper. When completed, it will be the largest sculpture in the world.
The entire Mount Rushmore carving will fit inside the opening under Crazy Horse's arm when the sculpture is finished.
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