Family trip to Mt. Rushmore South Dakota
This is Bad Lands National Park. We drove through Bad Lands on our way to Mt. Rushmore. What a cool place. It is an old dried up river bed that made these dirt formations. The kids had a ball climbing all over them and they are all quite the posers. It was really windy and cold, but that did not dampen their spirits on having any fun. We really enjoyed the drive and the beautiful scenery. We were able to see prairiedogs (Which were Haylee and Addyson's favorite), mountain goats and buffalo.
The next day was a ride on the 1880's Train. It was a scenic tour from Hill City to Keystone. It had started to snow that day and was absolutley beautiful. The kids had a great time and we were able to sit and enjoy some of the best hot chocolate we had ever tasted. Maybe we were just cold. But it was good. It took about 2 1/2 hours round trip and afterwards the kids all made snow angels in the snow at the train station. Haylee always wants to make snow angels.
After the train ride it had stopped snowing for a while so we went to Mt. Rushmore. What an amazing monument to be looking at. I had always wanted to go and there I stood and it was beautiful. It was still very cold, but the kids never complained once about the snow or how cold it was. They were so glad to be on vacation I think, they didn't have time to do anything other than have fun. It is so neat to make these family memories and hope that the kids will remember these times we spend as a family. We are very blessed to have such good kids and wonderful Grandparents who are willing to help give them these memories.
After we were through with all the sights at Mt. Rushmore we were going to go to the Crazy Horse Monument but it was getting to late and to cold. But we made the drive there so we could see it from the side of the road. One of the things we saw that was really cool was a Mountain goat. It was right on the side of the road eating in the snow. Unfortunatley, the digital camera was dead and so we got a snap shot but they are not developed yet.
The next adventure for another day was going to Jewel Cave. It is the 2nd largest in the United States. We went up and down a little over 700 stairs and Haylee and Addyson did really well. We had to carry them sometimes just so we didn't get behind, but they were troopers. It was actually warmer inside the cave than it was outside. Still snowing!!
After the cave we didn't really have any plans and some nice guy suggested that we drive up to Spearfish. It was a little ways away, but all we had was time so we decided that's what we were going to do. I am so grateful for the suggestion because it was so pretty. The snow was really falling at this point and all the pine trees were covered with snow and so breath taking. If only we could afford a cabin in this area... There is still time to dream right!! We even braved the snow and looked at some of the water falls on the way. The first one we saw was roughlock falls and then to Bridal Veil Falls. We stopped at a Grocery store in Wyoming and bought goodies for us to eat at even though we were stuck in the car the kids still enjoyed the scenery just as much. All in all we had an amazing time together and a much needed vacation. Thanks Mom and Dad. We love you!!
