FUN-travel: Black Hills, SD – Needles Highway

August 9, 2018 by · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Black Hills, SD – Needles Highway 

Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway – 3rd leg – Needles Highway

  • Yet another windy road…

…weaves through Custer State Park…

…deemed “impossible” to construct by its critics…

…was completed in 1922…

…& includes 14 miles of sharp turns…

…low tunnels…

…impressive tall granite peaks & spires…

…aka needles…

…which makes for lots of crazy rock formations…

…& epic landscapes…

…incredibly spectacular…

…& my #1 favorite drive on this trip!

  • The most famous part of the drive…

…the Needle Eye Tunnel…

…is one-way tunnel only  8′ 4″ wide by 12′ high.

FUN-fact – The roadway was carefully planned by former South Dakota Governor Peter Norbeck, who marked the entire course on foot and by horseback.

 

FUN-travel: Black Hills, SD – Custer State Park

August 8, 2018 by · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Black Hills, SD – Custer State Park 

Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway – 2nd  leg – Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park

  • One of the largest state parks and famous for its bison herd…

…a variety of wildlife, scenic drives…& historic sites…

Where the Buffalo Roam!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…encompassing 18 miles of open grasslands and pine-speckled hills.

FUN-fact – This was President Coolidge’s 1927 “Summer White House.”

More FF – Custer is South Dakota’s largest and first state park, named after Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer.

 

FUN-travel: Black Hills, SD – Mt Rushmore & Loop Drive

August 6, 2018 by · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Black Hills, SD – Mt Rushmore & Loop Drive 

  • Mt Rushmore – iconic 60-foot sculpted granite featuring faces…

…of presidents Abraham Lincoln, George Washington…

…Thomas Jefferson & Theodore Roosevelt…

…symbolizes the ideals of freedom, democracy & the American dream.

…17 miles long from Mt Rushmore to Custer State Park…

…includes tight hairpin curves, spiral “pigtail” bridges…

…3 single lane tunnels & redefined what a road could be.

FUN-fact – South Dakota conservationist, Governor and U.S. Senator Peter Norbeck wanted to share the unspoiled beauty of the Black Hills with others. But it was of utmost importance to him to do it responsibly. The result is a 68-mile series of twisting roads that carefully tiptoe through the Harney Range of the central Black Hills, leaving very little impact on the surrounding environment.

FUN-travel: 78th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally – Day 2

August 5, 2018 by · Comments Off on FUN-travel: 78th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally – Day 2 

Today’s Treat

  • Custom Harley Davidson…

…John Dillinger Edition…

…includes a Derringer Pistol inlaid in each of the foot rests…

…replica of a safe dial lock on the gas tank encircled with bullets…

…& a black leather seat with oxford shoe stitching…

…are just three of many features…

…that makes it truly one of a kind to say the least!

« Previous Page