July 13, 2015, Monday, Hill City, SD
Day 74

Morning spent in Jewel Cave National Monument, one of the largest caves in the world at over 160 miles, with a constant 49 degree temperature.  The cave’s main feature is nail head spar which is an elongated calcite crystal with a flat end. The cave also has the longest strip of bacon we have seen made of iron oxide and dolomite. After an hour and a half, we surfaced to thaw out. Lunch in Custer at the Black Hills Burger & Bun Co. Both Rosemary and I got the same item, a buffalo burger smothered in onions, mushrooms and cheddar, mine with granny’s beans on the side, hers with sweet potato fries. Best burger I have had in a long time. Washed down with obsidian stout (an Oregon brew) on tap. Best stout I have had in a long time too. Afternoon spent at the Crazy Horse Memorial. It seems that there is not much progress on the carving since my 1977 visit other than Crazy Horse’s head is completed but a complete new visitor center with movie, Indian museum, sculptor’s home and studio. Somewhat disappointed that the viewing of the mountain is from a bit of a distance.