South Dakota: Mt. Rushmore

Mt. Rushmore September 2012

Mt. Rushmore was amazing. I thought it was incredible, and huge! I had heard different things about it, but I really thought it was no neat, and it's just so different from anything I had ever seen before. I loved it! We had a pretty laid back morning, we hung out up top before doing the little half mile walking loop that walks right up, well as close as you can get, to the actual rock formation.  The kids had so much fun, and Lucy loved the 'faces on the mountain'. We stopped and got some ice cream at the little cafe before we left, but really we didn't even go into the visitors center or anything. Haha. I still really don't know that much about Mt. Rushmore, haha, but we had so much fun and saw it! That's what counts right? I still need to google it. ;-)
 We had gorgeous weather again, and the sun was really bright!
George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln:
or as I like to call them: George, Tommy, Teddy, and Abe.
 Crosland siblings: Amy, Jessi, and Tyler. Missing Ben and Kevin
 I guess we did go into one building! This is a replica of what Mt. Rushmore was originally supposed to look like. That would be crazy! So much more detail in all of their clothes, etc... They got a little over half way done and called it good. I think...
 This is what I wanted to see.. The Hall of Records. Too bad you can't see it from the road or anywhere on the property people are allowed to go on! Still so cool though.
 After Lunch we hopped in the car with Bonnie and Jeff to go for a little scenic drive. I thought the girls would take a good nap in the car, and we'd heard amazing things about the Needles Highway. Sure enough Lucy crashed like 5 minutes into the drive. It was the coolest drive! They had these amazing bridges, I think they were called pig-tail bridges because you would go under them, then loop around to go over and keep going up. They also had all of these amazing, tiny, tunnels to drive though! We got to the top and just went through this tunnel when Clara threw up. For the first time... Haha. I felt so bad because she was in Blake's car seat, not her own, but we had a change of clothes for her, so we got her changed and all cleaned up. This tunnel was where we pulled over. You could see Mt. Rushmore through the tunnel and through those trees. It was pretty amazing.
 So not even five minutes later, Clara threw up AGAIN. So off her shirt went. She was so happy when she wasn't puking. She ending up throwing up like 3 times... Sorry to everyone. We really did still enjoy our drive though. The leaves on the trees were absolutely stunning, and the Black Hills are one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. We loved it!
 I want to say these rock formations they called the 'Cathedral' or something?
 This tunnel is the smallest, it's only like 9 feet or something! Crazy!
 Right past the teeny-tiny tunnel is The Needles Eye. 
 driving down the opposite way we came across this full-fledged wedding right on the banks of this gorgeous lake! Talk about an amazing location! 
We stopped by another small lake on the way back to the hotel. Lucy had woken up and the girls were so happy to get out of the car for a little while and spend some time with Grandma and Papa!
Never mind my filthy window, but more cool tunnels all over!
This picture was taken after Bear World. I'm pretty sure we wore the girls out, just a little bit! Haha. They were so exhausted. I love how they are both sound asleep in the exact same position.
 Blake and Lucy having fun in downtown Keystone
 and a cute but sick, Clara Mae. She was exhausted!
Later that night we walked around downtown Keystone for a little while before having dinner. Clara was still feeling pretty if-y, and we were all exhausted. I think we all went to bed around 9 that night and crashed! Haha. Sunday morning we headed toward Utah, while Tyler headed back home to North Dakota! Thanks for driving with me Jess!

We had such a fun trip! Thank you SO SO much Bonnie and Jeff for always taking us to do such fun things. We are so lucky to have such awesome parents! We love you guys!

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