The Badlands, Black Hills, and Beyond Tour July 16 to July 26, 2026
The first destination was the Medora Musical in Medora, North Dakota. For 61 years, the Medora Musical has been a world class Broadway style musical telling the story of Theodore Roosevelt and the state of North Dakota. But first, The Pitchfork Fondue Steak Dinner with live music.
On Sunday, July 19th we joined our Road Scholar group at the K Bar S Lodge near Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. We first heard about Road Scholars more than a dozen years ago and have since gone on several tours with them. Road Scholars is an international educational travel organization catering to people over 55. Because of the nature of the educational programs and the audience, the groups tend to be what Louise calls “Smart Old People,” with a lot of retired professional people.
The first day was the High Plains Western Heritage Center and the Homestake Gold Mine and a trip to the famous old west town of Deadwood. SD.
Mount Rushmore was the highlight. It is a huge carving in granite of four presidents representing major advances in the history of the United States. It was carved between 1928 and 1941 by Gutzon Borglum and his son Lincoln. It may or may not have been completed when World War II broke out in December 1941. They decided it was close enough and called it complete at the end of 1941.
The other highlight was Crazy Horse. This monument is still under construction. It was started in 1948, partially as a response to Mount Rushmore. It is expected to be completed in about 20 more years. It is much larger than Mt. Rushmore.
Steve and Paula - our driver and guide
The Badlands and Custer State Park
Chamberlain, SD
Chamberlain SD
Chamberlain, SD
Mitchell SD
Mitchell, SD
Mitchell, SD
