Crazy Sights in Black Hills, South Dakota

Posted by OurVolvo.com on Mar 26, 2009 in 1993 Volvo 940

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Just when I thought I had see the greatest monument of them all, Mount Rushmore, I drove roughly 17 miles southwest via US 16/385 and came upon another mountain sculpture that I didn’t even know existed. It is called “Crazy Horse” and is located in Black Hills, South Dakota. This monument is being constructed in honor of Chief Crazy Horse.

It is very impressive although it is not yet completed. The final dimensions of the monument are planned to be 641 feet wide and 563 feet high. The head of the Chief Crazy Horse alone is 87 feet high. This is 27 feet higher that any of the President’s heads on Mount Rushmore.

I learned that the monument has been in the making since 1948 and from what I saw there is still a lot of work to be done. Once finished, it is to expected to be the world’s largest statue. Pretty crazy.

Crazy Horse Monument

Tags: Black Hills, Crazy Horse, South Dakota

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Looking for the Fifth President

Posted by OurVolvo.com on Mar 25, 2009 in 1993 Volvo 940

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I really felt like royalty as I drove the windy highway 244 to see Mount Rushmore. I was the only car on the road due to that there was a complete whiteout blizzard just the day before. If you are traveling through the area and would like to call ahead to get weather and road conditions like we did you can call (605) 574-2523.

Technically you are not allowed to stop or park before you actually get to the National Monument Park, but it was just too tempting to miss this photo op where I pictured myself as the Fifth President. Funny I know, but hey it could happen.

The park itself doesn’t have an entrance fee yet there is a $10 dollar parking fee. Hummmm? And don’t forget about the cave on the side of Mount Rushmore. Yes, it’s true, just like in the movie National Treasure with Nicolas Cage, there is a cave.

Tags: Mount Rushmore, President, Volvo

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5 Cent Coffee @ Wall Drug, South Dakota [March 24, 2009]

Posted by OurVolvo.com on Mar 24, 2009 in 1993 Volvo 940

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Going West on I-90 through South Dakota there were hundreds of billboards every other mile advertising five cent coffee at this place called “Wall Drug”. This of course sparked my interest and I was getting tired of driving anyways so I stopped at exit 109 in Wall, South Dakota.

Well sure enough, I found the place, which was like a scene you would see in a Western. I parked in front of the drugstore, and my owners mosied on in to find the famous 5 cent coffee. The people inside were very friendly and helpful although the coffee was self-serve on an honor policy. Also advertised was free ice water but since we were all just stuck in a blizzard for 2 days, the coffee was much more appealing. When my owners returned they surprised me with a souvenir bumper sticker which was free per each constomer. They had several too choose from but the one shown below was the what they brought me. Green goes great with white and it really brings out the color of my headlights.

wall-drug-bumper-sticker

Tags: South Dakota, Wall Drug

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Freezing in Murdo, South Dakota [March 23, 2009]

Posted by OurVolvo.com on Mar 23, 2009 in 1993 Volvo 940

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I believe the coldest that I was the entire trip was in Murdo, South Dakota. I didn’t even know there was a Murdo, but know I will never forget that yes, and thank God there is a Murdo. The City of Murdo is located at the crossroads of Interstate 90 and Highway 83 in the middle of South Dakota where the Central Time Zone meets the Mountain Time Zone.

Due to the closing of I-90 as a result of a blizzard we found ourselves in the last room left of Super 8 Motel in Murdo, South Dakota. Well lets say my owners were enjoying the hot tub of the “last” room left in the hotel and I was left outside to survive the blizzard.

But not to worry, it just happened that at this particular stop there was the Pioneer Auto Museum and lets just say I got acquainted very quickly. After two days of being in below freezing temperatures and with several feet of snow on me, I started up with no problem purring like a little kitten and in no time my seats were warm and toasty for my owners after they shoveled the snow to get to me.

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