Crazy Horse and Sylvan Lake in Custer Park, South Dakota

 Our first outing with the Switch it up crew was to Crazy Horse and Sylvan Lake!  It was quite astounding to see what persistance and respect for the Native American Culture has acheived!  The concept started in 1939 but construction didn't start for another decade!  We were honored to hear a Native American woman speak about some of the history and inaccurate translations that have occured over the years.  For example, Sioux means little snake.  Sioux Indians are actually Lakota Indians or Lakoda or Lakona depending on region!  The soldiers misinterperted the name to be Sioux and it stuck.  Modern day Native Americans are trying to reclaim their name, how insulting to be called little snake! 

It is planned that the monument will not be completed for over 100 years.  Modern technology is being introduced this year which will improve the process from 8 days to 8 hours time to complete the same work.  You will notice a crane which is a new addition just in the last couple of months.  

22

After we left Crazy Horse we drove a short way to Sylvan Lake!  What an anomoly!  This is where parts of National Treasure 2 were filmed!  Gorgeous rock formations and great hiking trails!