Crazy Horse Volksmarch.

This past weekend was the annual Crazy Horse Volksmarch. Saturday was a lovely day for the climb. I heard that over 6000 people climbed Crazy Horse on that one day. If you look at the picture, the place we would eventually wind up is on the out stretched arm over looking the beautiful Black Hills of SD. This is almost like a virtual tour of the 26th annual volksmarch.


You can see I am anxious to get started with my trusty walking stick with all the markers on it from the many volksmarches my husband and I did while on our 3 year military tour in Germany.
I did not have to walk the 6.2 miles alone, This is my second cousin Melissa, shes from my mothers side of the family. This was only the second time to make the climb.

This is my first cousin, Don, from my fathers side of the family. He and his wife have been coming over 500 miles for the climb for the last 15 years. His wife couldn't make it this time but he was very determined to make it here for his 16th time in a row. Since this was the 26th annual Crazy Horse Volksmarch, he only missed the first 10. I have lived here for many years and this was only my 7th climb and not all in a row.

We past this old school house on the long walk from the parking lot to the start, registration tent.

WE ARE OFF!

This is how far away the huge mountain is from where we start.

Some of the trail was very nice!

Some of the trail was a little rugged and steeper climb.

Don brought his cam-corder and I am sure for the 16th year in a row,

got some wonderful footage of the climb.

We had a registration card that had to be marked off at each of the four check points. This was the first check point. We made it with no problem.

This was one of the first spots where we could get a very nice view of Crazy Horse Mountain carving and an excellent spot to get a good picture. Me and cousin Melissa.

Me and cousin Don, he was such a good sport.

I loved this part, walking through and under those tall pine trees. It was almost like being in Germany again.

This picture below shows how beautiful it was with the sun shining through the tall trees.

It was such a nice day, mild breeze and low 70 degrees. Perfect for the 6.2 mile hike.

Check point #2. Water, bathrooms and even snacks if you want to buy some.

You can tell we are getting much closer but the hardest climb was still to come.

Don is still going strong, I don't think he ever gets tired.

Here we are getting to the harder climb.

There we go! Actually, I did get plenty of breaks and rests because you who know me well, know I had to stop to capture everything on my trusty NIKON camera. It was a good excuse anyway.

We are at the last check point #4. The steepest, most steady incline was just ahead of us.

You can see all the people walking up the hill. If you look real close, you can see many of the volksmarchers already on the arm (just above my head). We are already at a very high elevation.

I made it! Here I am on the arm with the big carved Crazy Horse head just in back of me.

It's a great feeling to make it to the top and look at the excellent work of the carvers and look at the beautiful Black Hills scenery from above.

Me and cousin Melissa, find her yellow t-shirt and then you can find me. There were tons of people up there and they were all snapping pictures of each other, just like we were.

Don to the right.

This is the view looking down off the arm to the West, the parking lots and where we start and finish is the lighter part to the right. The big information center and museum is just left of that.

We were face to face!

Just to prove he actually made it to the top!

A very close up to show the work of the carvers. The last time I was up there 5 years ago, it was only finished to just under the lips.

This picture is toward the South East.

This picture is toward the East.

This is at the far end of the arm.

This is the hole under the pointing arm and over the Horse head. When this hole is finished, it will be big enough that Mt Rushmore would fit through it. NOW THATS BIG!

The wind always blows strong trhough this tunnel. It felt good since we had gotton a little warm from the tough climb.

The view through the tunnel.

Below, Don is talking with one of the original sculpture's,

this is one of Korczak Ziolkowski's son's.

This is a plaster model of what the finished Mounument will look like. You can see the original rock mountain carving as you look under the arm. This is at the Museum.

YEA! I made it! We all made it!

If you are ever interested in climbing Crazy Horse, it is always the first weekend after Memorial Day weekend. There were children as young as 2 and even a few babies in back carriers, there were older people, some in their 70 and 80's and older.

This is the neet medal we earned (Or paid for since it actually cast $12 this year)

We could also choose to do the volksmarch without the medal for just $3.

Regardless, you get this pass and at every check point they mark it off.

It also is a nice souveneer.

If you want more information on Crazy Horse just google Crazy Horse.

Our Memorial Day garden party.

Cement, level, sand, trowel, shovel?

You might look at this picture and wonder, "What on earth does this stuff have to do with a Memorial Day Garden Party!

My husband Jeff who is retired military after 22 years in the Air Force, received this flag and flag pole last fall for his 60th birthday. He raised the flag for the first time on Memorial Day morning.

The United States of America Flag looked beautiful flying high in our front yard. It is a reminder of all the freedoms and One Nation Under GOD, for the many years of war to protect and stand up for our Nation, for all those who have served so faithfully in the Armed Forces, for every State that holds a star in the blue field. We give thanks to God for all the blessings He has bestowed on our USA. Our Garden blocks were laid, our garden planted and the rain was just ending.

The flowers were starting to bloom, lilacs smelt fragrant, and the old wooden cross made by our grandchildren 6 yr's ago had its prominent place in the back center of our garden.

WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE PERFECT TIME TO HAVE A GARDEN PARTY,

AND SO WE DID! Below you can see a nice smoky fire in our fire pit. Actually, we needed it for warmth, it was only 58 degrees that evening.

Everyone was to bring some kind of blooming flower. Here they are. Lilac's, yellow Pansy, a lovely branch from a blooming crab apple tree, some hyacinths and Lilly of the Vally, a peony bud showing a little red, and finally, a big bright yellow happy dandelion. It made a beautiful bouquet for on our serving table.

Our friends enjoyed a fun evening with a lot of laughter, food, games and visiting. Our friends all pitched in with the party by bringing a salad, veg tray, yummy rice crispy bars.

This is the group of us minus two guests who came a little late.

Below is a list I had put together for each guest to find the object listed during our "Garden Walk" Some things were easier to find then others. Everything was out in the open, you just had to be looking at the right place to spot each thing. You can see by all the flower stickers that this guest found quite a few of the 40 items listed.

You just cant, I say, can't have a party and fire pit fire with out roasting marshmallows. Our friend had found some REALLY BIG marshmallows. It was fun and the smores turned out very tasty and gooey.

It was a fun party and maybe next spring we will have to have another. Hot dogs and bratts went over great. We did retreat into the house for the last couple hours since we were all getting a little chilled. Friends are a gift of God, it just seems time goes by so fast and we just don't get together as often as we should. We sure do enjoy our time when we do though.

A LITTLE ADVICE FROM A FRIEND,

#1. Thank God for something

#2. get together with a group of friends

#3 smell a flower

#4 and eat a home roasted hot dog or smore.

The Recital

My husband, Papa and I had the great opportunity to attend a piano recital. This wasn't just any recital, our 3 grandchildren were in this recital. No, it's not their first recital but this is the first one that we have been able to attend. It was great watching the poise and hearing the talent that all three possess. They have learnt so much. The hands above belong to the oldest granddaughter. She played a very special piece, Cannon in D. Such a beautiful selection and it was also played almost 16 years ago at her parents wedding.

This is our grandson and he did such a good job at playing his piece. He had it memorized so he didn't even need his music. We also enjoyed listen to him practice at home the few days before the recital. A lot of talent there and he has a wonderful voice too. I love listening to him sing both at their home devotions and at church.

These are his hands skillfully playing.

Oops! I just couldn't resist these precious 2 yr old hands who I know will some day be playing beautiful music as she gets older and starts piano lessons.

It was so fun to watch and listen to all of them including 16 others play their music selections.

Here is our middle granddaughter. She has been taking piano lessons for 3 years and she did a wonderful job at the recital.

Here are her hands as she makes beautiful music.

This is all the students and the teacher to the far right, back row. It was a fun day and refreshments were served after the talent.

Our lovely granddaughter sporting her Fedora and matching plaid shirt.

She looks a little sassy, oh, I meant classy!

While we were there visiting, our daughter baked and decorated a beautiful time consuming cake for her mother-in-laws birthday. It turned out so lovely and tasted superb as always.

I just couldn't have a blog without adding a few pictures of that sweet youngest granddaughter. She was showing me these full bloom spirea's in their yard. They were absolutely beautiful.

We used chalk to create a road and town on their driveway. The children had a lot of fun with their scooters on the curvy road. This is our youngest grandson leading the way. He is quite the young man and growing up so fast.

Our 2 yr old granddaughter has a thing with this hat! She loves it and wore it for the better part of the time we were there. I thought I would include just a few of the many cute pictures I captured with her and her pink hat.

Be watching for the next blog update.

We went to the ZOO and I have just a few pictures to share with you!