Black Hills of South Dakota
I heard about this place, many claimed it to be the most beautiful of the National Parks, Teddy Rosevelt among them. So I had high hopes for the infamous Black Hills of South Dakota.  They got their name from the granite mountains rising from the ground perfectly framed by dark green pines.
Summer really brings out the best of the colors. Throughout both the national and state parks of the Black Hills views like this were common.
One of the fun parts of the drive through the parks is the getting a chance to drive the roads and see the amazing solutions that went into building a road in this park.
Check this tunnel out, just big enough for one car at a time.
Like a bowl of spaghetti the roads bend and weave over one another around the hills.
Then came the pigtail bridge, who needs a ride, if you can handle the loops it’s tons of fun, especially when driving.
Once I got through the fun roads I made my way to the Norbeck Overlook in the Black Hills National Forest.
All throughout the forest logs and branches were piled neatly. I never did find out why.
On another day I took a drive on the other (east) side of the park and passed by what looked to be a cool ski restort, www.skimystic.com I would like to get back to the black hills in the winter, bet the snow is amazing and the place looks completely different.
Passed through the town of Lead.
Took a hike at Roughlock Falls.
Apparently this is where part of Dances with Wolves was filmed.
Jewel Cave National Monument
On my last day I decided to head over and see Jewel Cave. Large and small caverns run for miles underground, many of which have yet to be explored.
An elevator takes you down to one of the largest caves.
It’s hard to see in the photos, but it’s a large room, complete with stairs to lower levels, quite impressive.
