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Rapid City 2010

Pre-Rally to National Trek Rally,

Rapid City, SD
June 2-5, 2010

Wagonmasters Bob and Peggy Beers.

After an impromptu “pre-pre-rally” happening at an RV park near Devil’s Tower National Monument when 6 of our Treks unexpectedly showed up at the same park, we continued on our way to the scheduled pre-rally NWTFC held in Rapid City, SD and very capably hosted by Bob & Peggy Beers.

Ten coaches attended our National Trek Pre-Rally at the Hart Ranch that started with a potluck getting to know new friends and renew old friendships We enjoyed the “All-You-Can-Eat Cowboy Breakfast” at the Fort Hayes Dances With Wolves movie set, then boarded the coach for an all day, driver-narrated tour. The tour included stops at Mount Rushmore; a winding drive over the Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway, traveling over Iron Mountain, through scenic (very narrow!) tunnels and bridges; and a stop at Custer State park, where we saw several buffaloes, a beautiful lake, and fantastic rock formations. (We stopped when it was safe to take pictures.)

We stopped for lunch at the State Game Lodge, the Presidential Summer White House of former president Calvin Coolidge. The buffalo soup was great! As we continued through Custer State Park, along the Needles Highway, we passed through scenic tunnels and by overlooks of Sylvan Lake – the spectacular man-made lake located at the bottom of Harney Peak. Needless to say, we took lots of pictures. At Crazy Horse Mountain and Memorial, we stayed for an hour visiting the largest mountain carving in the world and learning about the sculptor, Korzak Ziolkowski, in his home studio museum and his dream that his family is continuing.

We returned to the Fort Hays “Dances with Wolves” film set, with time to look at the set’s buildings before the chuck wagon dinner and western music show. June 4th was a free day to see local Rapid City sites, using a very informative packet provided by the Chamber of Commerce. We met back at the Ranch for dinner and visiting.

After several eventful and well-planned days of fun, food & friendship, we all headed off to Amana, IO, for the 3rd National Trek Rally, where we met up with 93 of our fellow Trekkers.  Our sponsors did an excellent job of planning a great rally.