We left our resort accommodations at the Lakota Prairie Ranch Resort Motel this morning at approximately 7am or so–while I poke fun at the name of this motel, it is the nicest accommodations of the group. Cabins and motel rooms that are clean, comfortable, and have very modern amenities, including sketchy and intermittent internet access (which is OK!), along with a restaurant on site.
We went to Rosie’s at Singing Horse Trading Post for breakfast and goodbyes. I love Rosie, the German lady that owns the Singing Horse–she is very kind and generous in all that she does. I so enjoy talking to her. I did some last minute shopping for souvenirs, and she ended up giving me a “wopila”, which is a gift given by the Lakota in return for a service (not sure that I have explained this 100% correctly)–I received a beautiful bracelet made by Andrea Two Bulls. I was so shocked to receive this–I did nothing for Rosie during this trip, but it is rude to not accept the gift. Again, her generosity is very genuine, and I will need to think of an appropriate way to thank her.
After leaving Rosie’s, the very large caravan, left the reservation with a stop at Red Shirt Table. So glad that the students were able to experience this beautiful spot–just amazing!
We visited Custer State Park after leaving Pine Ridge–the park has a wildlife loop where you have the opportunity to see many animals from the safety of your car. This was a new experience and enjoyed it quite a bit. We saw buffalo, prairie dogs, pronghorn antelope, and wild burros. The burros were not terribly wild though–they come up to your car and stick their heads in the windows looking for free snacks. Fun! We made the requisite trip to Mt Rushmore and then stopped in Keystone for some brief shopping (rained during this time). After that a nice dinner at the Golden Corral in Rapid City and on to the hotel for the night…everyone was ready to get out of the van and relax! Today is Lindsay’s Birthday so there was an impromptu and unplanned get-together for this–I gave her a wooden horse to commemorate the horseback ride from earlier in the week!
Leaving for home in the am….will stop in Des Moines for the night…have to say that I am ready to see Jim and John, my dogs (one of which caught a bat while I was gone), and sleep in my own bed!!!!
Nursing Students at Pine Ridge 