Memorial Day, Trip #1

Mt. Rushmore and the Family

We only live about 6 hours from this awesome National Memorial. It was an awesome experience. It was great to show the kids how different people sacrificed so much for our country. From these four presidents to the sculptors who took years out of their life to make certain that this monument would stand the test of time.

Rushmore @ Night

It's awesome to visit these places with kids because they asked the best questions. For instance Child #1 kept asking, "Why is it called Rushmore?"

Do you know, huh do ya? Well I didn't so we found a helpful Ranger who explained that it was Mt. Rushmore before the carvings were there- named after a guy called Rushmore. So imagine you decided to carve a huge Buddah on Mt. Everest...the mountain would still be named Mt. Everest.

It was great to hike around the mountain and see where the models were kept for the mountain. To learn about the entire process was an awe inspiring experience. To learn that it took 16 years to complete this great undertaking was so interesting.

Ever notice George has a shirt and collar?

The white spot under Teddy's chin is a mountain goat.
I think it would have been cool if Jefferson's hair could be red rocks.
Honest ABE. He was almost sculpted without a beard.

Although this was the focal point of our trip we did visit other sites as well. In fact if South Dakota had any jobs I'd move there. It was quite pretty.

So we also visited Wind Cave National Park:

We saw wildlife: Bison, burros-yep they are wild, turkeys, big horned sheep

The Bison were everywhere!!

These guys came right up to the van and we got to pet them.

Ran right across the road in front of us in Custer State Park

Just chillin' in the shade.

It was all in all a great trip and we all survived even though I almost walked home from Nebraska...but that's another story all together; )