Community Forums

pennie_gone · 07-28-2008, 10:53 AM

We are spending 2 weeks in Watertown, SD, due to our Cummins engine blowing on I-29 last week...thanks to the Omaha dealer that didn't screw the valve covers on properly after minor service. But that's another story. We had been planning to go to the Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota and the Black Hills/Badlands in South Dakota. Due to time issues, we now have to decide between the two. Advice & observations welcome, please.

pennie_gone · 07-28-2008, 10:53 AM

We are spending 2 weeks in Watertown, SD, due to our Cummins engine blowing on I-29 last week...thanks to the Omaha dealer that didn't screw the valve covers on properly after minor service. But that's another story. We had been planning to go to the Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota and the Black Hills/Badlands in South Dakota. Due to time issues, we now have to decide between the two. Advice & observations welcome, please.

Route 66 · 07-28-2008, 11:45 AM

I was in the Black Hills/Badlands last summer and I believe there is much more to see.

Custer State Park, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Deadwood, Needles Highway, Devils Tower and more.

Ol'Joe · 07-28-2008, 12:14 PM

I was in the Badlands, Custer state park, Wall Drug, Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Devils tower and the rest just 10 days ago. It was awesome. BUT I was up to my ears in Bikers then and Sturgis starts a week from Wednesday. 300-500 THOUSAND BIKES and Campground prices TRIPLED starting this weekend. Head for Roosevelt Penne. Good Luck.

Riverdog · 07-28-2008, 12:31 PM

As Ol'Joe said with Sturgis coming up SD could be crazy. Teddy Roosevelt National Park is very interesting. If you go to Medora they have an outdoor amphitheater with a show every night beginning at dark. I've been to it numerous times & it is AWESOME!!

LindaH · 07-29-2008, 07:58 AM

Between the two, seeing as how you can only visit one, I would usually recommend the Black Hills.

However, as others have mentioned, the Sturgis Bike Rally will be starting on the 4th, and they already have pre-rally events in progress. So, unless you already have reservations someplace in the area, I'd avoid it like the plague during the rally!

GraciesMom · 07-29-2008, 01:24 PM

Oh goody! I have to go to South Dakota to get my driver's license - and now I find out that it's Sturgis Week? Well, I guess I can forget taking the RV . . . may as well drive the car and get a hotel wherever I can find it. Do I want to get in the middle of all those bikers?????? LOL!! Otherwise, even though I've never been to North Dakota, I LOVE South Dakota!! And will go back regularly!! I spent the 4th of July there in 2005, made it up to Deadwood for the casino's, Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Badlands, etc. It's a great place!!

LindaH · 07-30-2008, 08:42 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by GraciesMom:
Oh goody! I have to go to South Dakota to get my driver's license - and now I find out that it's Sturgis Week? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
You can get your driver's license anyplace in the state, so just pick someplace else rather than Sturgis or the surrounding area right now.

GraciesMom · 07-31-2008, 06:47 AM

I'm torn. I was going to wait until after Sturgis. I called Hot Springs and Rapid City - the two cities closest to me now - and their hotel rates are double the normal rate for the week and most are filled to capacity. Now I find out that my favorite group, Brule (Lakota Indians), is going to be performing at Mt. Rushmore the same week. So I think I may venture up that way in the middle of the sea of bikers, to enjoy some great music. I'm a relatively conservative person - relatively . . . LOL! All I've ever seen when it comes to Sturgis are photos of a lot of beer, lots of leather clad bikers and half naked women! Not my scene!

pennie_gone · 07-31-2008, 07:45 AM

Hi,Graciesmom... I was looking for the powwow you mentioned, but I found only one on powwows.com and it appears to be further east, east of the Missouri River. Could you give me the info on the one at Mt. Rushmore? Thanks much.

GraciesMom · 07-31-2008, 08:46 AM

Hi Pennie!! This is all I know - I don't think it's part of a Pow Wow. If you go to this website - it's the website for Brule - they list their tour schedule as including Mt. Rushmore.

http://www.brulerecords.com/tour.cfm

Paul LaRoche, the patriarch and founding member of Brule has a mission of reconciliation between the Indian people and white men. They were the first and only Indian group allowed to play at Mt. Rushmore - and he does it every year. The music is GORGEOUS - haunting melodies, pounding drums - and the message is uplifting. Browse around the website while you're there and take a listen.