Bus Tour of the Black Hills

We chose to take the tour offered on this day.

This shipmate allowed me to photograph his shirt in order to illustrate the ship.  It was first commissioned in 1944 during WW2 and then served in the Korean War.  In 1953 it was taken off the lists for a major update which included the enclosed bow, slant deck to facilitate landings and steam catapults to launch airplanes.  I joined the ship for its recommissioning in 1955 and served for one tour to Japan, Hong Kong and the Philippines.  I left the ship for another one in New Orleans in 1957 and the ship went on to serve in the Vietnam war.  It was decommissioned in 1973 and scrapped in 1992.

I think this is dedication to the memory of the ship as this license plate from Missouri shows the initials of the ship and its number.

 We lined up to board our bus for the day.

Sue with our driver who looked the western way.  He indeed was a "cowboy" as we will show later.

First stop was Hill City to board the "1880" narrow gauge train.

A steam engine needs water and they take it on before each trip.  We were headed for Keystone.

Our train moving down the tracks.

This one minute video provides some sentimental sounds of a past era.  A woman's voice is heard selling something. [I will post this when I am at home with a faster internet connection.]

We arrive in Keystone and more water is added.  The jacket around the boiler holds recycled fuel oil so no tender is needed.

The bus met us in Keystone.

Mountain goats very near the bus.

 

Entering a tunnel at the "Eye of the needle"which is eight feet and four inches wide.

A crowd of people at the exit of the tunnel waiting to see if the bus gets stuck.  The driver stopped the bus and turned on his emergency flashers to stir up the crowd.  He actually does this once a day as this is his occupation in the summer.

We arrive at Mt Rushmore to view the lighting ceremony.  It was a bit chilly but we were warned to use "layers".

After a movie commemorating Mt. Rushmore, all active military personnel and all who have ever served were invited to the stage.  In the manner of "Where's Waldo", can you find me in the crowd?

Veterans with the illuminated figures in the background.

We visited this site in 1987 with our daughter Anna.  The area where the visitor's center was has been completely changed with this way of state flags included.