SOUTH DAKOTA

South Dakota - Faces in the Rocks, October 5-6

Our day started in San Jose with a delayed flight and the potential for a missed connection in Denver.  Fortunately, our gates were close and we made our flights without an issue.  Upon our arrival in Rapid City, we were met with welcoming smiles from SDGER Barclay and Eileen Allibone, DDGER Delores and PDDGER Dwight Pogany, State President Bob and Gloria Bartlett and PSP Dean and Roberta "Bert" Reichert.  We exited the terminal into an unseasonably cool South Dakota afternoon which, after our 104 degree temperatures in California, felt wonderful.  That evening, we went over to the Rapid City Elks Lodge #1187 and were hosted to a wonderful dinner by Exalted Ruler Andrew Gay.

Friday morning, we boarded our tour van for our visit to the first of South Dakota Elks two Major Project sites, the Children's Care Hospital and School.  Children's Care has two facilities, a hospital, school and rehabilitation facility in Sioux Falls and another rehabilitation center in Rapid City.  The purpose of these facilities is to help with both outpatient and in-home, school and daycare center rehabilitation for children with physical or cognitive challenges.  The Elks support this organization by providing vans for their therapists to use as they travel the state as well as cash contributions.  

 

Our second stop was the Children's Home Society, a facility in the Black Hills of South Dakota providing support for children ages 4-14 who are, for whatever reason, removed from their parents and require a safe place to reside and emotional rehabilitation.  They serve over 2,000 children per year with residential, educational, therapeutic, emergency and foster/adoptive services.  Founded in 1893, it is the oldest human services agency in South Dakota.  We were given a tour of the facility and were extremely impressed by the talent of these amazing people and their dedication to the welfare of the children in their care.

After our visit to the two facilities, we traveled further into the Black Hills on winding roads, through narrow rock tunnels and across "pig-tail bridges" as we worked our way toward "The Shrine of Democracy," also known as Mt. Rushmore.  (Pig-tail bridges are named after their shape as the road curls back underneath itself, sometimes 360 degrees!)  Throughout the drive, we would catch views of Mt. Rushmore as we came through the tunnels and each view would be closer than the last.  Upon our arrival, we walked up through the Avenue of the States and the presidents were directly in front of us.  It is an inspiring view and we felt pride in our American heritage that was so beautifully displayed on this granite mountain.  We were grateful that we had a chance to see this wonder.

 

After lunch, we left Mt. Rushmore and headed for the Crazy Horse monument.  As we journeyed on, a few small snowflakes began to drift through the air.  By the time we made it the 17 miles to Crazy Horse, it was snowing in earnest.  We could barely see the mountain and could only discern the faint shadow of the carving.  Fortunately, Dean Reichert had been a tour bus driver and had connections at the site.  A fellow Elk who works for the monument had determined that the road to the top of the mountain was passable.  So we loaded up his 4-wheel drive and started up.  At the top, we were given hard hats, walked out onto the top of the arm of Crazy Horse and then told to turn and look.  There, in all his majesty was the completed face of this famous chief.  It was quite an experience and one we will never forget.

Saturday morning, Tom joined Bob in the Association meetings and lunch while Venita attended a luncheon hosted by Gloria.  The afternoon found Tom with several of the South Dakota Elks out at the Rapid City Elks Lodge talking with the members.  The ladies took Venita downtown to Prairie Edge.  Set in a historic building, Prairie Edge features work by Native American artists and is a cross between an art gallery and an old-time trading post.  The ladies browsed every nook and cranny, marveling at the craftsmanship and the heritage displayed.

Saturday evening, the Association held their convention banquet.  It was well attended and enjoyed by all.  The South Dakota Elks Association presented Venita with a necklace and Tom with cuff links featuring their famous Black Hills Gold.  They are treasures that will always remind us of our wonderful time in South Dakota.  Many thanks to Barclay and Eileen, Bob and Gloria, Dwight and Delores and Dean and Bert for making this a weekend to remember.  And thanks for the invitation to come back to attend the Sturgis Rally.  We'll just have to do that!