September 2022 – Traveling Supremes

After the 2022 Chama rally this year, three Traveling Supreme rigs went on to Custer, South Dakota. They were Jim and Tina Hoover, Steve and Lisa Merriman, and Duane and Patty Stowe. After three days on the road we arrived at Broken Arrow horse camp in Custer South Dakota. Many of the campers there bring horses for trail rides.

The next day we spent the day sightseeing and shopping in downtown Custer. It’s a quaint little town of about 2000 residents. We enjoyed a meal together at the Mount Rushmore Brewing company.

On our second full day in the area, we returned to downtown Custer and saw some good looking cars at a Studebaker car show. Then we headed out to see the Crazy Horse Memorial which is a short 15 minute drive from Custer. We viewed the monument which is a work in progress and is a long way from completion. We also enjoyed a meal at the on site restaurant known as “Laughing Water”.

On Wednesday, we took a day trip to Wall drug. It is located about two hours north of Custer. Wall drug was much larger than I expected. We enjoyed a meal and some shopping. After our meal, we took a scenic drive out to the Badlands.

Of course, no trip to South Dakota would be complete without going to see Mount Rushmore. It is a magnificent sight by day or night. You will see people from all over the world coming to see this symbol of America. After dark, during the peak season they have what is called the lighting ceremony. It is a 45 minute program. A park ranger came out on stage and gave a talk on the four Presidents’ faces depicted on the mountain. There were patriotic songs and at the end, all veterans past and present were invited to come down to the stage and be recognized. It all made you truly proud to be an American!

On our last day we drove up to Hill City and had a German lunch at the Alpine Inn. After lunch, the ladies did a little shopping in some of the quaint little shops in downtown Hill City. Then we were off to explore Custer state park and the Needles highway. This park is one of the largest state parks that I have been in! You could spend several days exploring this park but our time here in South Dakota had come to an end.