Great Plains Road Trip Part 4

Wednesday May 15, 2019
Amber and I were up somewhat early because we had a 1 hour drive down to Hill City, from our Airbnb rental in Lead.  Months in advance we had reserved a couple tickets on the 1880 Train that runs between Hill City and Keystone.  The line was originally used for mining in the Black Hills, but now only a small portion is preserved and it functions for tourism.  For more history you can visit their website 1880 Train History

The 1880 Train has numerous locomotives they run depending on time of year and different events, as well as rail cars.  Our locomotive was #104

We had some time to buy some post cards (of course!) and Amber bought a shirt before we boarded up and were on our way.

As we left Hill City the rail line immediately went up.  It's a 4% grade to the top of what they call "Tin Mill Hill".  Our little locomotive slowly chugged it's way up and the deafening sounds of steam power reverberated off the granite walls surrounding the track at times.  Along the way an interpreter tried to give us some history of the train, railroad, and the surrounding area.  Sometimes it was hard to hear, but I did remember learning that our particular locomotive now runs on recycled motor oil as it's fuel source to produce steam.

When we arrived in Keystone an hour later everyone had to disembark while they switched the locomotive around and refilled it with water.

Amber and I were in a different rail car, on the opposite side, for the return trip back to Hill City.  It gave us a chance to see some more of the scenery.

At one point we were told by our interpreter that the train passes through "Echo Valley" which is on the backside of Mt. Rushmore.  If you have attentive ears while at Mt. Rushmore you may be able to hear the train's whistle carry on the wind.  I made a mental note to remember that as Mt. Rushmore was our next destination when we arrived back in Hill City.

I guess everyone has to visit Mt. Rushmore at least once, and pay for parking in a giant parking garage.  We came all the way to South Dakota, so we might as well see it.  I was thankful it didn't appear to be too crowded and stressful yet, for early May.

We hiked along the Presidential Trail, and visited the museum exhibits and visitor facilities.  And I did hear the train whistle!  It was neat to learn some more history, but I don't think I will plan on going back until I take my own kids there someday.

For the rest of the day, we made our first venture into Custer State Park, by driving the Needles Highway.  However, we had barely entered the park when out my window I spotted what I thought to be a very beautiful lake.  We pulled off the road and decided to hike around the entire lake.  Indeed, it is a very stunning place named Sylvan Lake.  Pictures can't do it justice.

It was a glorious afternoon for a hike around the lake, and afterwards we found a small store that had a freezer full of ice cream bars.  It couldn't have worked out better to indulge (and of course, find more post cards)

When we continued driving the Needles Highway, I tried to compare it to something else I knew.  But quickly I realized there is nothing else on earth (at least that I am aware of) that can compare to the tall granite spires of the Central Black Hills.  They are so unique and exquisite, and just declare the majesty of our God.  And on top of that, the fact that God would gift a man named Peter Norbeck with the architectural vision and imagination to create the very highway we were driving on... Wow!  I would say driving the Needles Highway is one of those things a person should do in their lifetime.

We soon found ourselves back in the lower elevations of the Black Hills and we made our way back to Lead for our 2nd night in our interesting accommodations.  The day wouldn't be complete, however, without one more twist.

As we were pulling onto the narrow road leading to our rental, we looked straight ahead at a very dark cloud in the distance, but still over the town.  Right before our eyes a bolt of lightning arced downwards followed a half second later with a tremendous clap of thunder.  A minute later we entered the house and discovered we were without electricity due to that lightning strike.  We had been depending on that electricity to cook dinner, do some more laundry, and clean up with a hot shower after a long day.  So what did we do?

Well settle in for the evening writing post cards and eating Chex Mix and Poptarts while we still had some sunlight.  Thankfully though, about 2 hours later power was restored and we were able to enjoy a late, but hot dinner before calling it a night. :)