AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM AND ELLSWORTH AFB

Wednesday, July 11 – After visiting the Badlands and Wall Drug, we headed towards home, but first a stop at Ellsworth Air Force Base. Home of the B-1 Bomber, Ellsworth AFB is a big military base, making it one of the largest cities in South Dakota. There is a free South Dakota Air and Space Museum right next to the Base. It is a wonderful museum inside and out.

B-1 Bomber

Our friend, Red, was a radio operator on the B-29. We hope he enjoys the following photos.

Excuse the shadow of the fingers…please.

There was an indoor part of the Museum also.

A guided tour of the base is available. We chose to take the tour.

After checking through security (only a driver's license is required), we were loaded on a mini bus and driven through the base. The driver gives a running description of the buildings and areas of the base.

We did see several B-1 Bombers taking-off. WOW....what a sight! Not sure about this, but a fellow told us that these planes fly all the way to Afghanistan on bombing missions. Now that's a pretty amazing flight!

We were a little disappointed that we were not able to see the air strip. Security measures, we believe. It is a very long runway and was a back-up landing strip for the Shuttle.

Ellsworth AFB was also the training facility for the Minuteman II Missile program during the Cold War. This area of South Dakota was filled with missile silos because of its ideal location to launch missiles over the North Pole to the USSR. All these missile silos have been destroyed in accordance to missile reduction treaties with the former Soviet Union.

We toured a Silo that was used for training and has remained active for public tours. There are many similarities to the Titan Missile silo we toured in Tucson, AZ. We think the Titan tour was handled a little better, but it was interesting to see them both a make a comparison.

Silo

With temperatures hovering near 100 degrees, we called it a day and headed back to the Elks Campground in Rapid City. There sure are a list of things to see and do in this part of South Dakota.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!

THE BADLANDS…A PLACE OUT OF THE ORDINARY!

Wednesday, July 11 – ONE THOUSAND DAYS AS FULL TIMERS! Yep, today marks our thousandth day on the road – that's pretty amazing!

We ventured into the South Dakota Badlands National Park this morning. The wind is ALWAYS blowing here. Today, it wasn't too bad. They say you get use to it.....huh!

We are amazed about the location of these natural wonders. Out here in the middle of nowhere – the Badlands!

Created over millions of years from what was once a shallow ocean. The wind continues eroding these formations and in another million years they will be gone, so you better get here quick to see them!

Gorgeous colors and formations make the drive through the Badlands breathtaking.

We both said WOW when we crested a hill on a short hike at the first pull-out – Big Badland Overlook. The views continued to take our breath away on the 20-mile loop drive through the Park.

We saw Long Horn Sheep just off the road grazing on the hillside grass. What a neat animal to see.

There are numerous hikes, both long and short, available to visitors. Again, the Golden Age Passport got us into this National Park free. What a tremendous program!

After our adventure in the Park, we had to make a quick stop for a free glass of ice water at the famous Wall Drug Store in nearby Wall, SD.

The Travelers Chapel.

Wonder if Marsha knows what she is sitting on?

Now here is a woman Paul might be able to keep up with.

A refreshing glass of ice water.

This is the King of Tourist Stops. It has sure grown since our last stop here 31-years ago. Amazing!

As we were driving home, this guy caught our attention.

Of course we had to pull in. It was a Prairie Dog ranch. But the owner was no dummy. He sold  visitors peanuts to feed the Prairie Dogs. We watched these guys for a short time.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!

CHAPEL IN THE HILLS

Tuesday, July 10 – After we finished our tour of Rapid City, SD, we drove out to the Chapel in the Hills.

The Chapel is an exact replica of the Borgund Stavkirke built about 1150 in Laerdal, Norway. Originally built as the home for the “Lutheran Vespers” radio program, the Chapel was completed in July 1969. It sits on 30 acres of mostly forest along with a Norwegian stabbur (or storehouse). The stabbur acts as a welcome center and small office. It is an authentic grass-roofed store house, built in Norway and assembled on site.

Bell tower in the foreground. Notice how the church tapers upward towards heaven.

The Chapel is a magnificent piece of craftsmanship constructed entirely from Douglas fir.

The beautiful simplicity of each part of the stave church is intended to reflect a deeper understanding and a holistic expression. They have a service every night of the week and on Sunday.

There are 12 hand-carved Apostles' heads around the inside of the Church.

The small window allowed Lepers to take part in the service.

To the rear of the chapel, is a Prayer/Meditation Walk with seven religious statues and a suggested prayer topic by each one. It is located in a small canyon among the forest. A very peaceful setting for meditation and prayer.

Trust in God with child-like Faith.

To see all the stops along the walk, please click here.

It's a beautiful Chapel and a must see if in the Rapid City, SD, area.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!