Since we knew we had a long day of driving ahead of us and we wanted to stop at a few places we left at 6:15am. We entered the park via the South Entrance and continued via West Thumb via Fishing Bridge via the East Entrance of Yellowstone. We decided to pass up lookong at another geyser in the West Thumb area and other things that could be done on this side of the Grand Loop. Nothing really seemed to spark our attention. Leaving via the East Entrance you have to go down the steep mountain slopes. The views were fantanstic.
Right after leaving Yellowstone National Park you drive through the Shoshone National Forest. We were taking the Hwy 14A route to get to Lovell, WY to see the Bighorn Canyon. It was about a 3 hours drive to get there.
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. It straddles the northern Wyoming and southern Montana borders. Time and water provide the keys to Bighorn Canyon where the land has been shaped by moving water since vast upheavals of the earth's crust produced the Pryor and Bighorn Mountains millions of years ago. The lake and the steep sided canyons boasts breath-taking scenery. The canyon is a deep and winding chasm with vertical limestone walls. The drive to the canyon provides views of deep red rocks in the surrounding mountains.
After we spent less than 30 minutes here we got back onto Hwy 14A to get back on to Interstate 90 to bring us to Rapid City, SD to see Mount Rushmore. Again we had to drive through more mountains and these were the Bighorn Mountains. On this National Scenic Byway we saw a cow in the middle of the road. The drive to Mount Rushmore took another 5 hours including a stop for lunch.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial. It is in Rapid City, SD. It was completed in 1941 and one of the most inspiring symbols of democracy. It features colossal granite faces of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. Stroll the Avenus of Flags and arrive at the Grand View Terrace. We got there when the sun was right behind the faces making it hard to take nice pictures without glare. We saw a mountain goat here. If you have time walk the trail leading up the base. This was an okay site to visit but the steep parking fee is almost not worth it if you have seen it before.
Next we drove to Badlands National Park. Stop at the nine scenic overlooks along the Badlands Loop Road. Once a wooded forest where dinosaurs roamed, prairie winds and centuries of rain have formed deep gorges. The subtle colors and contrasting shadows of the landscape is an overwhelming sight. We arrived right before the sun was going to set so we could only take pictures of half the park before it got too dark. I would definitely recommend this sight.
From here we drove straight back to New Brighton, MN just a few miles north of Minneapolis, MN. The drive was a very long one but again since it was at night there wasn't traffic at all. We arrived home around 6:45am. Then it was time to hit the sack. We were tired.
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Go to Mount Rushmore and Badlands Trip in 2000
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