Firehouse Brewery

Firehouse Brewery
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

We had dinner here twice in as many weeks, and really enjoyed it. The beer they make is excellent, and it is complemented by excellent food and service.

The brewpub is on the main street of Rapid City, built in the old firehouse.

Reagan Statue

Reagan Statue
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

Downtown Rapid City, South Dakota, has a number of presidential statues on the corners of the main streets. This is a statue of Ronald Reagan.

Downtown Rapid City also has the Firehouse Brewery, a great brewpub. Highly recommended.

Bombers at Ellsworth Air Force Base Museum

B1 and B52
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

We visited the Air Force base and museum. The static displays are excellent, some classic airplanes. The optional paid tour includes a visit to a Minuteman silo on the base.

Rushmore Crowd

Rushmore Crowd
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

We visited Mount Rushmore, after a stop at the Teddy Bear Museum.

This was the first clear day after many days of rain, so EVERYONE was there, including us.

Teddy's Are Open

Teddy's Are Open
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

We visited the Teddy Bear Museum in Hill City, South Dakota. There are thousands and thousands. We loved it.

Prairie Dogs

Prairie Dogs
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

We revisited Devils Tower, but it was raining and raining. However, I was able to get some photos of the prairie dogs near the road in the National Park.

I used by new vibration control (VC) lens, and got some extreme telephoto shots. These rodents were quite a ways from the road.

Fort Meade Museum

Fort Meade Museum
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

During our drive around the Black Hills area, we stopped at Fort Meade. This was the fort where Custer rode out to meet the natives (he failed).

It is also the location where they first played the "Star Spangled Banner" on a regular basis, eventually making it the national anthem.

This Fort is very near Sturgis, South Dakota, a place that is very well-known to the motorcycle crowd.

The museum is excellent and recommended.

Roughlock Falls

Roughlock Falls
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

When the weather cooperated, we drove around the Black Hills area of South Dakota. Wonderful scenery, to say the least. One day during our visit, we managed to see Roughlock Falls along Little Spearfish Canyon. SInce it had been raining so much, the waterfalls were spectacular.

Devils Tower

Devils Tower
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

Stopped and took this photo as we drove past Devils Tower, going between Gilette and Rapid City. It was drizzling when we took this shot, and was outright raining when we tried to visit again a few days later. In fact, it rained and rained while we were in West Yellowstone, and during the beginning of our visit to Rapid City.

Bison on the Move

Bison on the Move
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

We were driving out of Yellowstone National Park, when we encountered a herd of bison, ambling from one park location to another. The calves are present in the herd, along with the adult bison.

Most of our stay at West Yellowstone has been dampened by some very heavy rains. We have only been able to enjoy the park for 2 of the 4 days.

Gibbon River Rapids

Gibbon River Rapids [Detail]
Originally uploaded by RV Bob

Taken during our visit to Yellowstone.