It was a very good day. This morning we when to Hot Springs SD to see the largest mammoth site in the world. At the mammoth site they are slowly uncovering the bones of mainly mammoths that fell into a prehistoric water filled sink hole and couldn’t get out. Lots bones up here and they have uncovered evidence of 61 mammoths – all male. The guide said they didn’t know if the males were so hungry or thirsty they fell in or if the females pushed them in.
We then went to Wind Cave National park. Of course, I got on the wrong tour because I was talking to a teacher and believed him when he said we were in the right line. Then I gave the wrong information to a stranger. We all had to dash to the other tour site only to find it had already left. Back at the ranger station I explained to the ranger that I misled the other person and felt bad he would his his opportunity to see the cave. Kindly a very nice ranger offer to bring us to the group. Wind cave is another dry cave meaning there is no constant dripping so there are no stalagmites or stalactites but there are still some interesting formations.
Our next adventure was to find the fairburn agate collection site. It was a back-road challenge through the town of Fairburn (population about 12). The road was dirt with a speed limit of 50 mph but we finally made it to the site. We weren’t there 15 minutes when it started to rain. We had to rush out. The “road” surface of the area is drivable when dry but if it rains your car sinks and gets stuck without even moving it. We were happy anyway just because we found it.
Dinner was another adventure. We had an indecision dinner. The chef chooses 3 courses for you which may or may not be on the menu. You don’t even get a hint. We ended up with a soft shell crab appetizer, a very interesting salad with blueberries and truffles and bison skirt for the main course. It was good and fun. We are really enjoying this area.
Mammoth Skull.
Mammoth teeth.
Sinbad a fiberglass replica of what the entire skeleton looks like.
Cave structures.
The road to the agate site.
finally retired! 
Are you returning to agate site? That would be awesome . And that cave, also intriguing.
You are meeting kind, intriguing strangers on this trip!
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Yes Sunday, it is incredible what they sell for around here.
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