Today was a relaxing day that started as all days properly should, with a train ride. The group went into Keystone to ride the 1880 Train from Keystone to Hill City. The train had a nice steam tank engine leading the way, with enclosed observation cars behind.

The tracks are the remnants of a Burlington Line branch that served the mines of the Black Hills. It wound its way over and around those hills for about an hour, managing some four percent grades with quite a bit of effort.

After a bite of lunch the two of us stopped into the South Dakota Railroad Museum. They had some nice displays and we enjoyed our stay. Then, it was back to the campground.

We had felt like we wanted a little closer look at Mt Rushmore, so we used our afternoon free time to go back up there. We took a walk on the Presidential Trail, surviving in the process going up about 250 stairs. It was well worth the effort…you get remarkably close to the sculptures.

After dinner the group got together to swap RV suggestions. It’s always interesting to hear how people solve problems on the road. Tomorrow is an early morning; we visit the Badlands National Park, Wall Drug, and an air and space museum. More then…