Tuesday, July 31, 2018, Hill City, SD

Joani's fascination with the art of John Lopez was the reason we visited Hill City today. A jewelry store in Hill City purchased one of his works to display in front of their establishment. After meeting Jim and Carmen for a nice lunch it was just 20 miles further down highway 16. The sculpture was another beauty! The way he included the most innocuous things in his work of art was nothing short of genius.

Iron Star, by John Lopez 2009

What I was not expecting when we arrived was to find the town inundated with motorcycles. A lot of people decided to visit Hill City before heading to Sturgis for bike week. The custom paint and accessories added to these expensive toys show just how deep the connection is between bikers and their rides. 

Our timing was off for the 1880's Train also located in Hill City and with a modern diesel/electric locomotive pulling the train I doubt the authenticity of the ride. I had more fun taking pictures and then returning to the air-conditioned comfort of our 08 Fit when I chose to move along.

I think a real 1880's train should have been pulled by this beauty. The chugga-chugga and the coal smoke on the wind might have made the ticket worthwhile.

Prairie Berry Winery was between Hill City and home. We took Carmen's suggestion and stopped in for some free wine tasting. Their claim to fame was their Rhubarb wine (really an Elderberry and Rhubarb mix) which I liked, but Joani found too Elderberry and not enough Rhubarb. We did bring home a bottle of Poker Face, a semi-sweet Pear and Pineapple wine.

David bought me a bottle of Poker Face wine (pear, pineapple and coconut, yum!).  I suggested he buy something dry for himself, but he said Walmart wine suits him just fine.

Monday, July 30, 2018, Ellsworth Air Museum, SD

From time to time I would hear military aircraft overhead but I was never outside to see them. Today we visited the South Dakota Air and Space Museum outside Ellsworth Airbase where I finally found all that noise was from B-1B Lancers.

The 28th Bombardment Wing has included over the years, among others, the B-17 Flying Fortress, the B-29 Superfortress,  the B-36 Peacemaker, the B-52 Stratofortress and currently the B-1B Lancer.

With the exception of the B-17 the museum had examples of virtually every aircraft that was flown under the command. 

B-1B Lancer bomber plane had crew of 4 and a top speed of 950 mph, an intercontinental range and could carry a payload of 75,000 lbs of munitions.

B-52D Stratofortress bomber plane had a crew of 5 (including 2 navigators) and a top speed of 650 mph, an intercontinental range and could carry a payload of 65,000 lbs of munitions.

As we were walking around the grounds a docent/volunteer, named Dick, informed us that a B-1B had flown out earlier for a training mission and he expected it back in about 30 minutes. We remembered hearing it earlier this morning as we commented that it was odd how freaked Sam gets over thunder but he has no reaction at all to the much louder roar of the jets overhead. He showed us where we would see it land and we continued around the displays.

B-29 Superfortress bomber plane had a crew of 10 and a top speed of 360 mph, a continental range and could carry a payload of 10 .50-cal machine guns, 20mm cannon in its tail and 20,000 lbs of bombs.

F-101B Voodoo fighter plane had a crew of 2 and a top speed of 1,100 mph, a continental range and could carry a payload of 4 air-to-air missiles, or 2 missiles and 2 Genie nuclear rockets.

A-26A / B-26K Counter Invader bomber plane had a crew of 4 and a top speed of 322 mph, a regional range and could carry a payload of 12,000 lbs of bombs and rockets and had 8 .50 caliber machine guns.

Right on time we heard the unmistakable sound of the B-1B approaching. He lined up on the runway and touched down but immediately pushed the throttles forward and lifted off again. He managed four 'touch-n-go's" on his remaining fuel. I was able to get a lot of nice shots of him in the air and on the tarmac - what an unexpected treat!

Inside we saw a training mock-up of the B-1B cockpit. Imagine sitting there for an entire mission of as much as 20 hours at a stretch with no chance to get up and walk around. Even worse, the other crew stations don't have windows!

This VB-25J Mitchell was General Eisenhower's personal transport in 1944 and 1945, when he led the Allied Expeditionary Force in retaking northwest Europe from the Nazis.

Does this B-1 make me look small or do I make it look huge? I hated to leave so soon, but it was time to head back and spend some quality time with Sammie.

Sunday, July 29, 2018, Chapel in the Hills, Rapid City, SD

Joani's research recommended a visit to the Chapel in the Hills. I would not have found it without Google Maps - it was just at the end of the street in an otherwise unremarkable little neighborhood. Once we parked we found the chapel was nestled on a beautiful hillside on well kept private grounds.

Being half Norwegian myself, I am always interested to see things pertaining to my roots, but this was well worth the visit even if you have no Norwegian blood!

This "Stabbur," (authentic grass-roofed storehouse) was built in Norway, disassembled and then reassembled on site. It serves as a gift shop and office.

This log cabin was built by a Norwegian prospector who came to the Black Hills during the gold rush.

It now serves as a museum and houses articles brought over from Norway or made by Scandinavians in this country during the 1800's.

This chapel, built in 1969, is an exact replica of the famous Borgund stavkirke, of Laerdal, Norway.

This is the Borgund stavkirke in Laerdal, Norway. It was built around the year 1150 and is considered the most completely preserved stave church still standing in Norway. (photo captured from the web)

The Norwegian Department of Antiquities graciously provided a set of blueprints of the Borgund church to be used in the construction of the Chapel in the Hills.

The land, the chapel and structures, and landscaping were made possible through a generous gift by Mr. and Mrs. Arndt E. Dahl, of Rapid City.

The only metal used was on the ornate door furnishings and locks. Instead of nails, they used wooden dowel pins to build the church.

Stavkirkes were built by the same people that built Viking longboats, many of the construction techniques are similar.

The Vikings brought their woodcarving skills along with their construction techniques to the building of the Stavkirkes.

As an interesting little aside, we learned the church was welcoming to everyone, even those affected by leprosy. The sick would take communion at the small slide window to the right of the altar. 

This chapel is an exact replica of the Borgund stavkirke of Laerdal, Norway with two exceptions.  The Norwegian Department of Antiquities graciously allowed the addition of wooden floors instead of dirt and the addition of simple bench pews.

One of the more quirky sites around Rapid City is Dinosaur Park. It is located on a hill overlooking the downtown area. The dinosaurs were constructed by the WPA in 1936 (a work program of the 30's) in recognition of the importance of South Dakota in the science of paleontology.

Dinosaur Park is worth a visit even if you don't have little ones in tow.  It is such a short drive and the views are spectacular.

David is always willing to snap pictures for appreciative families.  He also obliged the folks in the foreground.

Practically across the street from our campground was the Dakotah Steakhouse. This high-end restaurant had a John Lopez sculpture on display amid their entryway landscaping, so we made a quick stop for some pictures. "Who is John Lopez?" you may ask.  Upon doing research for South Dakota, Joani had become enthralled by the work of this artist whose studio is located in Lemmon, SD.  You guessed it, we will be overnighting in Lemmon, SD, on our way to Bismarck, ND.  I think it is her goal to see every piece that Mr. Lopez has created.  Unfortunately, a few are located in New Hampshire so those may be a challenge to see.

Dakotah, by John Lopez, 2012

When you study this closely you see so many individual pieces of metal that you would just never imagine as part of a sculpture. Somehow they all blend into this beautiful, perfectly proportioned piece of art.

This piece definitely whets our appetite for more, so we are looking forward to our Lemmon, SD, visit.

Saturday, July 28, 2018, Downtown Rapid City, SD

Joani had quite a few sites researched for us to see in Rapid City, so we tried to get an early start. First up was the Geology Museum on the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology campus. Luckily we found full shade even though it was a cool morning, so we didn't have to worry about Sam waiting for us in the car.

The museum had an extensive collection of rocks and minerals. A couple of our favorites are below.

Ammonite found along the banks of the Cheyenne River east of Rapid City, SD

Nature is an amazing artist!

Downtown we found a convenient parking spot and started walking. We found Rapid City was extremely walkable, compact and easy to navigate.

You get a glimpse of Art Alley just beyond and below the clock that is stuck in time.

"Art Alley" surprised us as we ambled through the city streets. This was one the places Joani wanted to explore and we found it without even looking. Filled with sunlight it was interesting, but I thought it would be a spooky place to visit at night. 

When you see this alley, you realize why Rapid City has such a clean look...

...they tucked all of the electrical tangles into the alley to leave the streets looking orderly.

On one corner I found this interesting American Indian sculpture. As I was looking it over this guy struck up a conversation telling me the artist was his uncle as he tried to explain the symbolism of the piece. I'm afraid I was a bit suspicious of his story, but it was entertaining so I gave him some "coffee money" and moved on.

The Prairie Edge was a beautiful store, inside and out. The building was well preserved and inside the space included what was once many different establishments with several different levels, large open staircases and open mezzanines.

This "dog-friendly" store was a treasure!  Be sure to go to the upper floor that houses the fine art collection (photography welcome!).

This level housed three such alcoves of beads of every color and shape. (Sharon, it made me think of you!)

On the upper floor was a fine art gallery where we found the most incredibly detailed sculptures made entirely out of paper. Even though the store was pet-friendly and everyone loved Sam, Joani and I took turns on the upper floor sans Sam so we could study the works without worry of an incident. A woman who worked at the store told us we should visit the Rushmore Hotel to see another amazing sculpture by Allen and Patty Eckman that was on a much larger scale on display in the lobby.

Prairie Grass Dancer by Allen Eckman, cast paper

1/3 life-sized sculpture

The Rushmore was an easy two blocks down the street where I was greeted on the corner by JFK and John John.

John F. Kennedy and John F Kennedy, Jr. by John Lopez

Just inside the lobby, the sculpture was placed in a prominent location where it was impossible to miss. The nice people at the desk had no problem with Joani studying the work and taking pictures of the details.

Prairie Edge Hunt by Allen and Patty Eckman, cast paper sculpture $75,000

It took them 11 months start to finish. The detail is astounding!

I thought equally impressive was the marble inlay floor creating the beautiful tribute to the Mount Rushmore Monument. With this at the entrance, it was no wonder they named the hotel the Rushmore.

We by no means had seen all of Rapid City, but we were ready to retire for the afternoon so we headed home. The Presidents walk would have to wait for another day and this downtown was so enjoyable we were happy to make a return visit.