KC was excited about adding another sticker and date stamp to the National Park Passport book that Art got her.
Mt. Rushmore was as awesome as we remembered. Although the four presidents were chosen for their integrity and what our country stands for, we were told elsewhere that to many Native Americans, Mt. Rushmore stands for something else entirely.
Abe asked in his comment if we saw the Crazy Horse Monument. We did see it while on the road. There hasn't been a whole lot of progress since the last time we passed by about 10 years ago. I would love to see it completed.
In the town of Custer, we happened to stop at the Purple Pie Place. It was one of our favorite stops.
The sandwiches and soup were deliciously homemade and the pies were absolutely scrumptious!
The Jewel Cave was our next stop. We took the Discovery Tour because it was the least strenuous. Unfortunately, it was also pretty boring. You couldn't see very much of anything but a dark cave. I would not recommend this tour. Luckily we have a Senior Pass so we didn't have to pay for this.
"Senior Pass Eligibility
As part of the American the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass program, U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are at least 62 years old can purchase a Senior Pass for a one-time processing fee of $10. This Senior Pass to national parks and lands offers benefits to you and your traveling companions."
For KC the best part of this day was Dinosaur Park in Rapid City.
From Wikipedia:
"Dinosaur Park is a tourist attraction in Rapid City, South Dakota, United States. Dedicated on May 22, 1936, it contains seven dinosaur sculptures on a hill overlooking the city, created to capitalize on the tourists coming to the Black Hills to see Mount Rushmore. Constructed by the city of Rapid City and the Works Progress Administration, WPA Project #960's dinosaurs were designed by Emmet Sullivan."
If you ask KC what she remembered most about this trip, she'll probably tell you that she liked sitting on the dinosaur's tails.And that was the end of that day!
What is it about kids and dinosaurs, I wonder.
ReplyDeleteSo sweet KC and her passport. Something to show her grandkids someday.
Thanks for the info about Senior Pass, Kay. I'll get that on my next trip to America.
Another interesting post. Always wanted to go to Mount Rushmore. We'll have to remember about the senior pass. Thanks Kay.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures! I haven't been to Mt. Rushmore. I am amazed at how many things you saw, how much you did in such a short time! Now I am beginning to understand why going through all those pictures was such a chore. You have done a great job, though...
ReplyDeletehow fun, I think my grandkids have been there also when they went to mt. rushmore last spring...
ReplyDeletemy favourite stop would've been the purple pie place! simple yummy food.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the info on Mt. Rushmore. We are actually talking about going up there later this summer. I think my husband will love the Purple Pie Place. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Kay,
ReplyDeleteWell I just went back and read al your posts from the day you left for the airport - what a fantastic trip you had, I am loving all your pics and reports. I hope to make a similar trip one day and experience all these sights myself.
I had a good chuckle at your son surprising you, how wonderful and too funny that you did not recognise him immediately. I think my fave of your pics so far were at Old Faithful, what colours and skies as you noted.
BTW I always do the same with my blog when we go away and post date for the exact same reasons. In this day and age you cannot be too careful.
Sxx
My grandkids would love the dinosaurs also! Did you use your new camera for that great shot of Mt Rushmore? If so, I am impressed. I will probably post my photos of our trip to the Big Island as they happen. We have a security alarm, so I am not afraid of break ins.
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how much I appreciate being in your back pocket on this trip. I've never been to Yellowstone and long to go. One day.....
ReplyDeleteGigi: Yes, I took my new camera. It did pretty well, especially with landscape views. There was more wide angle than my older Canon S3IS. However, the macro wasn't great and dark areas were often problematic. I could compensate pretty well with the flash.
ReplyDeleteAs usual great pictures.I would love to have a bite at purple pie place.Most of the kids are fascinated by Dinos ,my son has so many of Dino toys in different shapes and sizes and still he can't get enough of them.
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling fresh and relaxed now after such an action packed trip.
I can well imagine Mount Rushmore doesn't make a whole lot of native Americans very happy.
ReplyDeleteLooks like KC really enjoyed the dinosaurs. We have a town in Alberta with the world's largest (artificial) dinosaur, and a smaller ones on most street corners. We also have Dinosaur National Park, which my young brother's children (then 5 and 7) enjoyed a lot.
So glad you had such a wonderful trip. It is a treat to see the smiles on the faces of your mother and aunt.
Luv — K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Thanks for the info! AND I'm thinking y'all are well over the legal limit for too much fun!!! Thanks for taking us along!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! You are sure covering a lot and with a lot of people, too.
ReplyDeleteI wonder about the glasses: In the tropics the sun is usually overhead. What bothers me is the sun in my eyes, especially in the summer in northern latitudes. I wonder if the transition glasses don't stay dark because the sun is coming more directly in the car windows.
I wish you had a like button :)
ReplyDeleteI remember these places from 1967 and it looks like nothing has changed. Except that senior pass sounds good to me.
ReplyDeleteDid you go over to see the stone carving of Crazy Horse Mountain? I am no longer sure if that is the proper name but they are carving an Indian with arm outstretched on top of a mountain near Mt. Rushmore?
Honest Abe: We did see it, Abe. I just added a photo of it to the post for you.
ReplyDelete