#ProjectAlaska: Thunder Basin and The Black Hills

After leaving Casper, my next destination was a place called Thunder Basin National Grassland where I thought I would see lots of wildlife. I was in for a big surprise! Here, instead was what I saw:

So, I ended up seeing very little in the sense of wildlife and ended up seeing a coal mine instead. Disappointed doesn't quite describe the feeling, but there was a bright note; a sign explaining the Texas Trail:

As I drove into the Black Hills, I just HAD to stop at the entrance to the Crazy Horse Monument to get a picture. I've actually been here many times over the years and must admit that if there is any place in the Black Hills one MUST see, it is this place:

The Crazy Horse Monument absolutely makes Mount Rushmore look like a play toy by comparison. Lunchtime was upon me, so it was Subway and a nice picturesque park:

Over the years, I had been past this railroad feature many times at the Hill City Depot, but had never stopped; so I decided to spend some time taking some pictures and just enjoying the day. I wasn't in any big hurry due to the fact that my campground was at Badlands National Park which wasn't too far away. Enjoy!