Crazy Horse Volksmarch

Kicks

This weekend (June 2 & 3 '12) is the Crazy Horse Volksmarch at Crazy Horse Memorial near Custer, SD.



The last one I did was 2 mths before DX in '09 (first one in '96 or '97) and thought I'd either not be able to do it this year (couldn't find anyone to go with me) or go by myself. Hubby is a tow driver and was sheduled on call for this weekend so he couldn't go. Well yesterday he was talkng with his boss/owner and somehow mentioned that I wanted to go on the Volksmarch. Boss told him that Hubby was taking me and that boss would cover. So I get to do it and not alone.



The Crazy Horse Volksmarch is the only time each year (first weekend in June) that the 'average' person can actually be on the carving. The view is fantastic from on the arm. It's a 10K hike that starts in the parking lot. The worst is getting up to the carving - big rise and through the woods but the route back is all downhill along their work road.



What I think is going to be so sad, is that there is an 'epidemic' of pine beetles in the Hills that are killing 1,000's upon 1,000' of acres in the Hills. For the second year in a row - Rushmore can not have 4th of July fireworks because of the potential of fire due to all the dead trees in the area. BUT the Hills will heal themselves (if allowed to) with time.



If interested, you can see Crazy Horse Memorial at:

http://crazyhorsememorial.org/

Kicks

Welll - survived the Volksmarch.



It was SO sad to see the extent of the Pine Beetle kill off - much worse than I expected to see. At least IF the government will allow the Hills to heal without man goofs, they will heal. The center is doing a good job of keeping their land/trees healthy BUT when on the carving, you could see lots of areas with dying pine.



It took us (me) a bit longer to get up to the arm than I expected (different route than the last one I did 3 yrs ago) and I'm not quite as fit as I was then. 'Tupid other driver went there and came back telling Boss that there was no way I could make it all the way - WRONG - I did! Other than being slower - no problems. Funny thing (at least to me) is Boss told him I would do it or die trying. Never came close to 'dying' but was slow and I do appreciate Boss knowing me.



Original plan had been to had been we'd fish after and go home. Well, Hubby decided he wanted to go to Silverado (Deadwood, SD) for all you can eat crab legs so didn't fish. He pigged out on crab and prime rib, I pigged out on prime rib. I'm a "big time" penny slot player. It took me about 2 hrs to loose my $20. Hubby never 'plays' - he likes to sit and watch people - yeah - he's an old geezer.