Arrived in Spearfish, SD thinking we would surprise our friends Susan and Mark. However, as we drove around the campground to get to our assigned spot, Susan and Mark were lounging by the pool and spotted us! Still a surprise though. Everyone was happy to see us. We haven't seen each other in two months! Haven't see the Gardeners in almost one year as they are on a two year tour of the US.

The weather in Spearfish was not very good at all. Mostly rainy and cloudy. We were able to sit out by the campfire one night with everyone, but after that it was too rainy to be outside. We still managed to squeeze out time during the less rainy times to do fun things though.

The first day there, we headed for Spearfish Canyon which was absolutely breathtaking.

The next day, we headed for Devil's Tower which is a really spectacular site to see. Just pops up out of the earth. It is huge. Luckily, we were able to see it just before it started pouring down with rain.

Along the roadside, we encountered this little guy. He was just hanging out eating weeds and oblivious to all the people taking pics of him. 

Since it started raining more than ever, we decided to go to the Reptile Gardens. It was packed. I think everyone had the same idea. We started to watch the reptile show but I couldn't bear to watch the animals being prodded to make them move or pulled by their tails so we walked around their pretty gardens instead. All of the prairie dogs in their display had gone underground because of the weather, so we settled for looking at the snake displays. Dogs were not interested in any of it including any up close and personal with the alligators and crocodiles.

The next day, again with rain, we decided to try and see if we could get close to the Sitting Bull exhibit. It was so foggy that we could only see a little part of him. Quite disappointing. We headed over to Deadwood where we visited Saloon No. 10 which allows dogs INSIDE the bar! The dogs settled down for a long winter's nap on the sawdust covered floor while we visited with another couple who also had a dog there. There were supposed to be concerts in the evening and next day but it was pouring down rain, so I believe everything got cancelled.

The next day we drove through Sturgis to see what all was going on there.

Nothing!! Quiet and very few bikes. I guess you have to be there when the big motorbike convention is to see all of the bikes. Otherwise, it just looks like any other small town.

We also took a drive through Needle Highway. Very pretty and interesting.

 

We ended our trip with a drive to Mount Rushmore. We could only take the dogs as far as some posts a little ways before you got to the monument.  

 

The dogs got as much attention as the Presidents. In fact, they got so many pets that I thought they might have bald patches on their backs and heads! It was unfortunate that the weather was not so great while we were in South Dakota but we will be back.

The next day we headed for Glendo, Wyoming, where we stayed for just one night before heading home on June 18! It was a wonderful trip, the dogs were great, and except for a few rainy days, everything went smoothly. Stay tuned for our next trip which will be towards Oregon and California.