[tvance124]

Well, the dream vacation came to an end!!!!!

Stopped at the gateway arch and went to the top - what a view and elevator ride.

We went as planned and got to the carving seminar with Marv Kaisersatt in Minnesota. It was an eye opening experience.

Traveled out to South Dakota, saw Mt. Rushmore, Devils Tower, went up to Pikes Peak on the cog wheel railroad. That was a real treat. Near 70 degrees at the bottom and 29 with snow on the top. WOW, did our God create some great scenery. It was beautiful every place we got to visit. Got rained on some, mostly while driving.

Stopped at the carving museum in Custer S.D. and was a little disappointed with that. Expected to see lots of work by some of the great American carvers.....but most of the stuff on display for sale came from Russia and China. All in all I don't think the museum is worth the price of admission.

Stopped by Lynn's on the way home. That was worth the trip to see in person some of the carvings on his blog. Thanks for sharing Lynn. Lynn graciously let us wander around the store and his carving studio. He even gave me a few horse shoes to try on a base for a carving, thanks Lynn.

When I got home this addition to my workshop was just about complete. My son was a very busy guy while we were gone.

If you ever get a chance to study with Marv I would say go for it. It sure has got me rearing to go.

[chuckt]

Wow! Nice vacation. Nice addition. Me envious!! Glad you had a great time.

ChuckT

[Arnold Smith]

Terry, nice addition. good vacation.

Arnold

[Anthony Filetti]

Terry, sounds like my kind of vacation!!!

Can you tell us more about Marv's seminar? I met him at the open house and he has a lot of information to share.

[Kenny_S]

Sounds like you had a great time. If you get back to western SDahota again, Crazy Horse monument is a must see.
Sorry we couldn't hook up but understand the time aspect.
Glad you had a great time not only on vacation but in your carving seminar also.

[tvance124]

Kenny,

I did go see Crazy Horse. Forgot to put that down. We also went to a
WW 1 museum in Kansas City that was very interesting. Also visited the U
S Mint while we were in Denver. I was surprised that they gave free samples of what the do there.

But the highlite of it all was getting to spend some time with Lynn and see his carvings. What a talented and imaginative person.

[Kenny_S]

Yep, visiting Lynn would be a highlite for me also.

I had heard the WWI museum was really good.

I saw the Crazy Horse Monument in '91 and '96. They were working on his face. Haven't been back since. Love the Black Hills.

Did you stop at Walls on instate 90 just east of Rapid City,SD. Interesting tourist trap for sure, Back in '96 they were still serving Ice water to everyone who came in. Interesting story about that.

[tvance124]

Yes sir we did. Got there a little late so did not get much time to look around. We also detoured a little on the way to Faribault and took in the SPAM museum in Austin. That was interesting also.

The head of Crazy Horse is just about complete and they have started blocking out the horse's head, neck and front legs. As you know it is a pay as they go operation, so not much happens unless there is some money available.

We did the Corn Palace in Mitchell S.D along with the center of the good old USA and the President's Park. The corn palace was just plain A-MAIZE-ING.

Oh man I'm getting tired just thinking about all that traveling - 5451 miles all safe and sound.

God is good!!!

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Kenny/Terry....This might date me but back in '49 we went to Crazy Horse Monument and I shook hands with Korshack. The only thing on the mountain then was a hole blasted under the arm and the roughly painted outline of the horses head. It was neat. ALso went to Wall Drug and had my photo taken on one of those bucking horses. Back then Ice Water really meant something! Unfortunately, all the old Kodachromes of that trip have faded so much that it's hard to see much anymore. On Mount Rushmore you could actually climb up the the mountain right under the heads. We filched some of the small pieces of rock they carved off the faces. Probably why they won't let anyone beyond the fence now. I've been back several times so I guess they've forgot about my robbery!!!

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

You were treading on rocky ground there Lynn!