Mount Rushmore and Wall Drug

It was a fairly short drive on The Fourth of July to get to Mount Rushmore.  Our only disappointment was that the 4th festivities had happened on the 3rd.  Somehow that just seems wrong.  We arrived and of course it is lunchtime and everyone is hungry.  We all got something to eat and then it was off to see the mountain and see the film about the making of Mt Rushmore.  Mia, being her father's daughter, fell asleep in the first 5 minutes of the film.  The carving just was not very interesting to her.  We walked around, got some great photos and then decided it was ice cream time.  After ice cream as we were in the gift shop, it started to pour down rain.  Finally the kids got tired of waiting and made a run for the RV.  We waited until it slacked up and then we made our way.  All in all, a wonderful visit to one of those All American places.  A great reminder on the 4th of those who saw what this country could be.

After an hour drive we arrived in Wall South Dakota, the home of Wall Drug.  I checked us into the campground I had arranged for which did not look very good.  The owner gave me a Wall Drug menu and then led us to our site.  Instead of hooking up the RV we decided to go to Wall Drug for dinner and the kids opted to play there instead of driving 30 minutes to fireworks.  We had a really good dinner.  After dinner we began exploring.  There are lots of silly and fun things to do and I think they did them all.  I think the photos will tell the story.

After a fun night at Wall Drug, we headed back to the campsite only to find the electric box was padlocked.  I tried the night number 7 times and did not reach anyone so finally we went to a different campground 2 blocks away and got a site and then had nice bathrooms and welcoming owners.  That made us all happy.  This kids played a while before calling it a night.  Again another fun day of playing together.  More adventures to be reported soon.  Keep checking.

Devils Tower

As you can see by the date, I am still catching up but I am determined to do that.
We left Cody about 10am as the kids need to sleep in some.  As you leave Cody, no matter how you go east, you have to cross the Big Horn Mountains.  What a beautiful drive.   I loved to see the kids enjoying lunch at a place where the view was amazing.

 About 4:00 we arrived at Devils Tower and headed to the visitor center.  There Mia, Riley and Lucy decided they wanted to hike around the tower.  Since it was in the high 90's Isabella decided to wait with her Poppy in the cool visitor center.  Of course, no kid can resist hiking on the rocks at the bottom of the tower.

After the hike, it was back to the campground, dinner and then all the kids were off the see the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" which was shown each night at the campground.  Isabella and Mia came back after about 30 minutes saying it was boring.  Lucy and Riley watched the whole thing and said it was great.
After some snacks and laughs, Ralph and I went to bed and just let the kids have fun.  We needed rest.  Again, a very special day.

Cody, Wyoming Adventures

On July 2nd, it was time to say goodby to Mike and Shannon and get on with the last part of our trip as they headed back to Salt Lake City and their flight back to Austin.  It was a beautiful drive leaving Yellowstone as we headed toward Cody. Wy.  When we arrived in Cody, we parked in the Walmart parking lot, headed across the street to get lunch and then off to the river rafting trip.  Some were a little nervous but I told them to try it once and then if they did not like it they would never have to do it again.  As we arrived at the boat, Mia and Riley in the middle and Lucy, Isabella and I became paddlers.  Then we were off with our guide who was actually a teacher of autistic children during the school year.  Everyone had a great time.  I happened to be in the one seat that got soaked every time which sure made the kids laugh and of course I laughed too.

After the wild ride we found our campground, showered and got ready to go to the rodeo.  I was excited because we happened to be there during the Cody Stampede which is the big qualifying rodeo for the year.  After parking where we could easily get the wheel chair out, we headed toward the grandstand.  After getting Ralph into the stands, the girls and I headed out to see what was for sale.  The first thing we found of interest was a huge bull that you could get on to have your picture taken.  What fun.

Only Isabella and Lucy wanted to pet him.  Mia wanted no part of that.

Then our next stop was the cowboy hat stand.  All three girls needed one.

The girls loved wearing the hats and Riley wanted no part of a cowboy hat.

After a dinner of hotdogs, pretzels and even cotton candy, we still had to wait a few minutes for the festivities to begin.

This is how kids pass the time.

Because it was the big rodeo, there was lots of pageantry before the events began.

At the end of the evening, everyone agreed that it had been a great show that everyone enjoyed. 

Back at the campground, it took a while to settle down after such a crazy day.  All in all, who could think of better times spent together.  Ralph and I are so blessed.

Yellowstone Day 4

We are up and into the park around 9:30 heading to the Upper and Lower Yellowstone Falls and the canyon.  Compared to Old Faithful, the traffic was easy.  At the first overlooks, we hiked a trail that dropped 600 feet down to the top of the lower falls which are the higher of the falls.  Absolutely amazing.  After many photos, the climb to the top was not as easy especially for this old lady but we all made it and were glad we went.  Next was lunch.  Mike had gotten us box lunches from a deli which we ate at a really pretty picnic place.  Really delicious homemade bread!!
After lunch we drove to Inspiration Point and walked out there, including Ralph this time on the paved trail.  Again a gang took turns pushing him.  Of course the view there is one of the most famous in all of Yellowstone.  Impressive.  Our next stop was by the Gibbon River.  Mike just wanted to feel the water and see what the temp was.  Shannon had another idea and just splashed him.  So funny.  By this time, we are following Mike and we head back to West Yellowstone.

After returning to West Yellowstone we met for dinner at a little restaurant and the food was so good. After dinner we were off to get our picture made, western style.  Such fun.  Everyone laughed and the photographer was great.  I think the pictures will tell that story.  After that, it was once again dessert time so we went to a little bakery and they got a treat before ending another fun day.