SharivilleLife stories from Shari

Such a busy,  busy day and I am exhausted.  First off we headed for the day activities at Mt Rushmore.  We ate whats called ” the Monument Breakfast.”  It was actually good, scrambled eggs, bacon, ironed like Kathy always did for Jerry, tater tots and a biscuit and sausage gravy.  We also had the best coffee and hot cocoa, yes, Angie, it was Green Mt coffee, they have good taste here. Wonderful!  We toured all the exhibits, saw two films, went to all the gift shops and took many photos.  We thoroughly enjoyed Mt Rushmore, and I’m sorry to be leaving, knowing I’ll probably never see it again and it is so wonderful.  I can’t imagine not ever seeing it, I’m such a history buff.  This place so instills a sense of patriotism and love and respect for Country.  The 4 Presidents represent the cream of the crop, and gave so much to starting our Republic off with ” THE RIGHT STUFF.”

Then we checked on the old time  train ride from Keystone to Hill City.  We were to late for the round trip for today, so we went to plan B.  Tomorrow is another day and the last day here also.

So then……….We went to Wind Cave Natl Park.  Well……….what can I say,  I can’t pass up a Natl Park at any cost, so says I.  The tour we took was called the Natural Entrance tour. 1 1/4 hours, 1/2 mile.  Now that doesn’t sound far, but the journey is through the middle level of the cave.  Wind Cave is famous for it’s abundant boxwork, not the usual stalactites and mites.  There is not another cave in the world like it.  Well it was beautiful.  We were down 290 ft. and there were 300 steps all down except 11.  It’s called a moderately strenuous tour, then exit is via an elevator, and you can bet I was on the 1st elevator trip up.  The cave temp is a constant 53 degrees, and let me tell you I was so warm that my glasses steamed up and Jerry thought because I was soaking wet, any minute I was going to panic.  Man of little faith.  Considering I’m very claustrophobic, maybe he had grounds, but I did it.  I must admit the deeper and further into the cave we went and the fact that some of the passageways were quite narrow, the walkway very uneven and the lighting dim, there were times I wondered what WAS  I going to do?  So I said to myself, self, you can do this, at this point what else was I going to do. So I made up my mind,  NO MORE CAVES.

Tomorrow is another day and how difficult can a train ride be?      Love to all,  Shari and Jerry