The Adventure Continues

The drive from Minneapolis to South Dakota was loooonngg! We did take a couple of side trips though. We went into North Dakota (just to say we had) and got our picture by the sign. We also ventured into Iowa. Iowa was pretty (what 10 minutes I saw of it) and two sweet little country kids waved at us in their driveway as we turned around.

We stopped in Mitchell, South Dakota to see the great Corn Palace. Have you heard of it?? It’s a building decorated in corn. It’s actually kind of cool and it has been a tradition to do this since 1892, I think it was? That’s a long time to keep up a tradition! And I just love to see traditions upheld. Just fun ways to celebrate and enjoy life.

We didn’t get into our motel in South Dakota until late. We were all tired. It had been a long day.

On Wednesday morning we headed up to Mt. Rushmore. It’s one of those surreal experiences to realize you are finally staring at something that you’ve heard all your life about. It was cool. The weather – on the other hand – was not. It was a hot day. Luckily, there were some trees to give brief periods of shade and the walk was far easier than what we’d experienced at Arches National Park. You can stay as long or as little as you like at Mt. Rushmore. I think it depends on what kind of experience you want to have there. We stayed for awhile, got some photos, and went in the gift shop. There was an older gentleman in there who helped work on Mt.Rushmore. We spoke to him, got our pictures taken with him, and bought his book; which he signed for us. I think he was in his 90’s and I asked him if he still kept in touch with the other workers to which he told me that there had been only about 3 left and the other 2 died last year. So he is the last remaining worker alive. Wow. He was very sweet and Eliseo and I enjoyed meeting him for a minute or two.

We left and ventured to things nearby. I had no idea that there were so many other attractions near Mt. Rushmore! We drove through Custer National Park and saw wild Bison! I was so excited. It actually got pretty close to our car and we were able to snap a few pics. We drove to Hot Springs where we stopped at Mammoth Site which is where they have uncovered bones in the ground. It is a live dig and you are able to see some of the bones sitting uncovered right where they found them. They still have a lot of work to do and figure it will take 20 more years to uncover all that exists in that spot. It was interesting.

Eliseo wanted to drive into Nebraska as it was so close and get another road sign picture. So we were heading that way. Two cars were in front of us and just as I saw something bouncing on the road between them – SMACK – it came up fast and hit our front windshield. It was so loud that it not only startled me but my ears hurt from the noise for a few minutes. It was a rock. Not a pebble. Not a stone. A ROCK. And it hit our brand new Tahoe windshield and didn’t chip it – it broke it so hard that a few shreds of glass were laying on the inside of our dash. NICE. We were so close to being home – accident free!! I’m thankful it didn’t hit in any other spot than it did. It hit low and in the middle of the windshield. It could have been much worse. In fact, the rock sat on our hood just below our windshield wiper until we stopped in Nebraska and I got out and took a photo of it. I think our hood is okay – no dents, which we are thankful for. But our windshield cracks are quickly spreading and we only hope that they hold out until we get home. I don’t think Yellowstone has windshield repair! So – yes – big bummer. But we aren’t hurt.

We returned to Mt. Rushmore Wednesday evening to watch the lighting show at 9pm. We found a good seat in the ampitheater. A ranger was going around and greeting people asking where they were from. He came out later and did some announcements telling what the program would be like, etc. He mentioned that a ranger would come out at exactly 9pm and speak for about 10 minutes. So imagine our surprise when he went behind the stage only to come back out and begin speaking! The ranger was him. We thought it was pretty funny.

There was a touching film that just reinforced my staunch patriotism and as tears were welling up in my eyes, Mt. Rushmore slowly started lighting up. It was cool. Neat to be there and experience that. And I learned a few interesting things about those presidents that I either didn’t know or time had caused me to forget along the way, as well.

Only a few days and we will be home. We’re heading today to our last stop. Yellowstone National Park. We won’t get there until Friday via a stop along the way. We’ve enjoyed seeing all the motorcycle riders heading to Sturguss, South Dakota for the annual bike rally this weekend. I’ve enjoyed mile after mile of rolled hay bales. I’ve seen deer and even a wild turkey somewhere along the way (a few states ago). And as I type this we’ve entered Wyoming. I’ve wanted to visit Wyoming since we moved to Idaho 10 years ago.

So much to see out there.

I love America. It’s beautiful.