(8/28)
Today we were in the granite heart of the Black Hills, first stopping to view Mount Rushmore and then hiking around a high mountain lake.
Visitors were quiet at Mount Rushmore, as befits a national shrine. When we were there, all the flags were at half staff for the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy.
The scenery in the heights of the Black Hills really is quite dramatic, with granite spires standing tall above the dark spruce and pine trees.
Sylvan Lake, where we hiked, was quite beautiful with granite monoliths emerging from the water.
Although the growing season is ending, we're still seeing some nice wildflowers.
