Black Hills!
 

My wife and I like taking long trips in our -8 and we're going to take one over Labor Day weekend. Although I have been to Mt. Rushmore several times, my wife has never had the pleasure so we're leaving Saturday morning 8/30 from DeKalb, IL, and plan to head west to the Missouri River. We'll take a right turn at the river then follow it into South Dakota just like modern day Lewis and Clarks!

Then it's basically a left turn at the interstate, a quick stop at Wall, SD for a late lunch at world famous Wall Drug (just a short walk from the airport) and then to KRAP via the Badlands. KRAP - quite the identifier.

Straight line distance is about 640 nm so 4.5 hrs at my normal 150 kt cruise. We're taking a little longer route so probably 5.5 or 6 hrs. One fuel stop somewhere to be determined after consulting with 100LL.com.

We have a motel room reserved (The Dakota Pines) and a rental car (Budget). If anyone would like to join us for the trip let me know! There were still a couple rooms available and the rate was very reasonable ($89). We'd be happy to share the rental car up to Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse on Sunday 8/31.

We'll head back home on Monday 9/1. Weather looks like it will be great! I'll post when we get to Rapid City and maybe even put in a couple of pictures.

I just checked the "Places to Go" forum and got more good ideas. We will definitely do a fly-by of Devils Tower and maybe over to the Big Horn Mountains depending on time available. I back packed into the Big Horns many years ago and loved it!

Have fun!
 

And if you should arrive in Rapid City via the "Badlands" late in the afternoon watch for a bumpy ride. I was quite amused when it happened to me after such a nice smooth flight over the grass lands of Nebraska and Kansas for the hours leading up to the "Badlands".

You might try the fossil store in Hill City. I've think the store name was "Everything Prehistoric" on Main Street. There is a museum nearby as well. When I was there they were actually cleaning "Sue" the T-Rex in preparation for display in the Chicago Museum of Natural History. You never know what you will find at that place. We got to get up close to Sue's skull during a tour of the back room with the naturalist doing the actual cleaning. She even showed us the scar that one of Sue's teeth gave her while cleaning. She claimed to be the first person bitten by a dinosaur; he,he...:D

So here it is... :o

Seeing that you are going to the black hills I decide to post a picture from our Oshkosh trip from our stop at KRAP. There is one that I particularly like taken at Deadwood while standing under the sign that reads "Historic Site, Saloon Number 10 where Wild Bill was shot August 2, 1876. Just down the sidewalk are two young ladies dressed in short dresses who are trying to entice tourists into their bar. Having watched the Deadwood series on HBO this was an exciting place to be. So here I am reducing the image size for posting when my wife asks what are you doing? I tell her that somebody has posted that they will be going to the Black Hills so I'm going to put this picture on as an idea of a place to visit.

It is about this point when she said "Because they are going to the Black Hills you think they need a picture of you posted on the internet? She started laughing and laughing some more. As I became more embarrassed she had walked into the kitchen still laughing. So there you have it. There will be no picture, but instead a much more modest and humble offering.

I greatly enjoyed touring Deadwood. It was beautiful, historical, and just plain interesting to see where the folklore began on many of the old West type stories. I hope you enjoy your trip.

So in closing this little story I read it to my wife after typing all of the above. Her response after laughing even more was, "Aren't you glad I rescued you from that?" :confused:

I was based at Ellsworth AFB for three years and loved it. This part of the country is some of the prettiest to fly around. The Big Horn Mountains are fantastic. Be careful around the IR Routes, it is tough to see a B-1 flying up the valley at 500', 560 knots!

He's Right!!!
 

I go mule deer hunting yearly about 15 miles to the southwest of Devils Tower. It is plainly visible. One of the great thrills is to have the B-1 come smoking over you at 500'. They are SCREAMING!!!! Would make chowder out of an unsuspecting RV. I always think about that.

Enjoy your trip; but do check those routes....they use them!

________________________

Deal Fair
RV-4 (N34CB)
George West, TX (8T6)

Thanks for the stories and tips! Especially the B-1 stories although I am disappointed that Byan didn't post the picture anyway!

Bummer John, I was going to look you up this weekend as we're flying a rented Mooney (the -10 isn't done yet) to DeKalb, our home town. We should be there late Friday night and depart Monday morning or maybe Sunday evening. I guess we'll try next time. -Jim

Jim - I'm sorry I'm going to miss you! Please give a shout next time you're up this way! There's two -8's on the field so if we know you're coming we'll arrange to meet up and show them to you!

PS Rented Mooneys are not all bad! I have a couple hundred hours in 201s and 231s and they're pretty good traveling machines! Not an RV-10, but not too bad! Long range and reasonable speed and a good solid feel!

John, We'll have to meet up next time for sure. Just sent you an email on another matter. Thanks Jim