Sheridan, Wyoming to Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota

The freeway was not pink east of Sheridan for a while, but then between Buffalo and Gillette it turned pink once again. The soil/rock in northeastern Wyoming is very red, so maybe local gravel just turns out pinkish.

We drove through Bear Country USA yesterday afternoon. It really was awesome. We'll post pictures if we can. You drive through various "animal areas" going very slowly - 10 mph max. In the elk/reindeer area, this reindeer with enormous antlers came right up to the car and started rubbing them against the side of the car! The most impressive area was the bear area. There were a couple dozen black and grizzly bears! In this area, they do not allow you to open your car window to snap photos - duh! Anyway, these bears have been raised on site (it's the largest private collection of black bears in the world), so they are relatively tame (I wouldn't try to pet one, though...)One black bear butted up against our rear bumper and stratched his rump on it! The animals roam freely in natural environments - it was way better than a zoo. Then they had an area of baby animals, where we saw the cutest little cougar cub!

Last night we saw the lighting of Mt. Rushmore - very impressive. We toured the Borglum (sculptor of the monument) museum, hiked up a trail to get closer to the stone heads, etc.

Today we had a real midwestern thunderstorm. It went from clear skies and very warm outside to torrential rain, major lightning and thunder, etc. Heavier rain even than in Oregon. (People here have been asking us how to pronounce Oregon - they ask if it's Or-ee-gone).

This blog site seems not to want us to post many more pictures, and I'm trying to find a way around it. If we can't do it on the blog, I'll email them if you wish.

We had some very sad news today. Gordon's sister, Linda, died this morning in Durango from complications related to the chemotherapy she was receiving to treat her lymphoma cancer. She developed pneumonia and couldn't overcome it due to her low white cell count and overall weakness. She was only 44 and leaves behind her husband and 2 young daughters, ages 6 and 9. We may change out itinerary to go to Durango to be with Linda's family and Gordon's parents.

ESH