It was a COOL 4TH of July!!

Mt. Rushmore has their Famous Fireworks display on Friday July 3RD........it rained almost all day and was very foggy. We were sure it would be cancelled, but all day the TV and Radio kept saying they were waiting for a break and a decision had not been made. Thousands and thousands of people come from all over to see the Rushmore Fireworks display. The parking lots and most of the roads in the area are filled up by Noon!!! The display doesn't start until 9:20 in the evening. Lots of tour buses are scheduled to bring folks to the display. They have quite an elaborate program going on all day. Over 30,000 people are in and around the vicinity to view the Fireworks.


Most of us locals wouldn't think of going into that crowd. We just watch it on TV. Finally 9:20 came and believe it or not,,,the Fireworks began. We were watching on TV. However, there were so many clouds and so much low fog it was impossible to even see more than just a colored glow in the sky above the clouds.... Several of our friends that are staying at campgrounds around this area were at the display and advised us that it was unreal. They didn't see a thing!! Over $200,000.00 of Fireworks set off and NO ONE could see them!! This article from the newspaper will give you an idea why this decision was made.

Mt Rushmore Fireworks

I'm glad I wasn't the one that had to make the decision,,,,it would have been a tough one. However, there are sure a lot of people that thought they should have been postponed. But you know how that goes. If they had cancelled and postponed them just as many people would be complaining about that. I did find out that it is funded by Mt Rushmore privately and not public funds (so they say).

So many places, like Custer, have their Fireworks Display on the 4TH. We can sit out in our front yard and watch them, if we can stay awake. :-) They have quite an impressive display. The Booms shook the ground under our 5th wheel and Megabyte2 was very nervous. The sky would light up as if it was a war zone. I tried to comfort her as we both drifted off to sleep. I don't know how long they continued on into the night. Ms Pat could see them from the bedroom window on her side of the bed. The weather turned out fine for their display, even though it was only about 60 deg. The high for the day was only 69. It has been a cool and rainy summer so far. I love the cool weather and the rain is really good for everything. However, it sure puts a crimp in a lot of our plans.....but warmer weather is forecast for next week. I'm sure we will soon be wishing it was cooler, although it very seldom gets too hot here in Custer.

Last night we had a big 4TH of July Happy Hour and Cookout with a lot of old and new friends down at the Broken Arrow Campground. It was rather breezy and at times cool, but with long sleeves and a few jackets, everyone stayed warm. All the food was delicious and everyone had a great time. Thanks again to Larry and Geri Gustafson, owners, for hosting the event. There was a nice crowd.

(click on pictures to enlarge)

There were people from all different parts of the country. Several love this area so much, that they keep coming back year after year... Just like us!!!!:-) If this isn't Heaven, it's pretty close!!


This is Jim Meacham "slaving" over the fire. Jim loves to cook and he is good at it!


Here is Ms Pat proudly wearing her "colors"..... We are all PROUD to live in such a GREAT Country and are so thankful to those that fought so hard to make it the way it is!!!

GOD BLESS THEM ALL and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was a GREAT WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Travel Safe!!!

Mike

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