Visiting Frankenmuth Michigan

 

 

Bronner's Christmas Wonderland Entrance at Frankenmuth MI.

This is the best Christmas store we've

ever visited, spent hours and money and

really enjoyed. It is by far one of the largest

in the country if not the world. Worth a visit and allow

enough time to enjoy. Parking for large RV's.

 

Bronner's Wonderland

 

 

 

The address:

25 Christmas Lane 

It's a Wonderland throughout!

 

One of many themes to see and purchase

 Christmas ornaments. NFL, College Football,

to states, to popular tourist sites of ornaments. 

 

 

 



 

 

Zehnder's on Main St

Great chicken dinners

 

 

Visiting Mackinaw Michigan

 

 

Leaving the Dakotas we headed back East with our next

stop at Mackinaw Michigan.

We have visited the area before and we loved it so much

we went back for another visit.

 

Lake Michigan Highway View heading to Mackinaw

 

Heading to Mackinaw Island with bridge in background.
No rain just spray from the ride.

The Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island


Grand Hotel up Close

The main street on Mackinaw Island where the

ferry lands. No motorized vehicles on the island

Michigan Governor's Summer Mansion on the
island.
 

Judy and Betty shoppin' the island

 

Arch Rock at Mackinaw State Park 

 

 

 

Needles Highway Scenic Drive, Custer State Park, SD

Needles Highway is located within the Custer State Park

and a part ot the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway.

Needles Highway is 14 miles of scenic and rugged

granite mountains. The name Needles came

from the needle-like granite formations that can been

seen on the highway.

(Friday,  September 7, 2012)

 

Needles Hwy Tunnel 4 - Hood Tunnel heading toward

Sylvan Lake Lodge from Hill City SD

 

Our entry to Needles was from Hill City

SD Highway 87 at the Sylvan Lake area.

Above is the Lodge we passed travelling Needles Hwy.

View from the Sylvan Lake Lodge
 

 

At least two doe forward right along the highway.

Needles Eye just before Tunnel 5

at 6340 feet on Needles Hwy.

Judy is dwarfed around the Needles Eye area

Tunnel 5 Needles Eye Tunnel - 8'4" wide

Needles Eye Tunnel Opposite

Peter Norbeck, Govenor and Senator

of South Dakota was instrumental for Needles Highway

and he also brought sculptor Gutzon Borglum to South Dakota

to ultimately carve Mount Rushmore.

Norbeck also convinced Presidents Coolidge and Franklin Roosevelt to

provide support and funding for Mount Rushmore.

Cathedral Spires

Needles was the original site selected

for Mt Rushmore and rejected by

sculptor Gutzon Borglum because the

granite was too thin

Tunnel 6

Couldn't resist. It says Air Mail.

Could it also be for snow mail?

Tunnel 2

 

Ahead view after Tunnel 2

 

Tourists in the middle of the road 

 

 Tunnel 1 on Iron Mountain Road

 

 

View after Tunnel 1 on Rt 16A

View of Keystone SD village

as we exit the Needles Highway area.

 

 

More glimpses of Mt Rushmore

as we return to Hill City SD
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jewel Cave National Mounument - South Dakota

The Jewel Cave National Mounument

Discovered about 1900 by two brothers Frank and Albert Michaud

South Dakota prospectors. It was proclaimed

part of the national park system in 1908.

The cave is full of sparkling calcite crystals.

Jewel Cave is named for its many rooms and passages covered

 with jewel-like crystals

There are over 140 miles of documented cave.

Credit is given to Herb and Jan Conn who started

in 1959 logging over 6000 hours of exploration.

Narrow stair well meander along

and up and down the Jewel Cave

visit. Mostly lit by artifcial lighting.

This is a view of a cave room

with crystal laden walls

Stalactites in this view

Looking closely you can see Betty and Steve

 climbing stairs common throughout

the tour.



Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Mount Rushmore carving began August 10, 1927

with sculptor Gutzon Borglum. It took 14 years to

complete the project on October 31, 1941. Borglum

died in March 1941 and his son Lincoln Borglum

completed the work. Lincoln became the memorial's

first superintendent.

These first few pictures were taken in early

evening and then darkness when the lights

come on.

Mt Rushmore honors veterans each evening at

8 PM on the outdoor stage. The park ranger

was an excellent moderator and is commended.

Steve and Betty

Mount Rushmore outdoor ampitheater

 

The Park Ranger was excellent and very knowledgeable

It took 14 years to complete and with no fatalities during

the process.

Each face is 60 feet high.
Each eye is 11 feet wide

 

This view of Mt Rushmore (Washington) from the Needles area.

 

Gutzon Borglum, Mt Rushmore Sculptor

Click the site below for information that will add

to you understanding of Mount Rushmore

http://www.jeanpatrick.com/mount_rushmore_FAQS.htm

Trivia: Recently many, for different reasons have suggested

our current president be added to the Mt Rushmore sculpture.

The National  Park Service spokesman at the memorial said that

what remains of any rock formation is not strong enough for any

additional work. Further, it has been suggested prior to current president, to add different people.

 The portion to the right of Lincoln

will not endure.