South Dakota

For U.E.A. weekend the Davis family invited us to go to South Dakota with them in their motor home, so we were off. We left Wednesday night and by 6 a.m. we had arrived at Mt. Rushmore. Perfect timing, we were there to see the sun come up on the monument and watch the faces change color. (They went from grey to red.) We were excited to find some mountain goats having an early morning breakfast. Will asked a ranger that was near by if she'd ever seen the goats up on the faces and she said she had. That would be a sight!
Liv and Will sat next to the bust of Gutzon Borglum, he was the man who designed and headed the construction of the monument. He died before the completion of the monument so his son completed his fathers work. There were quite a lot of stairs around the monument, can you see Brian and Liv on their way down?
Our next stop was the Crazy Horse monument. We all agreed that this was more impressive than Mt. Rushmore. It's sheer size is quite amazing. In the evening you can return for music, story and laser light show on the mountain where the monument is being built. It was very well done. The picture below is from the laser show. It was the last image shown and it was how Crazy Horse will look upon completion.

To give some perspective of it's size, the hole that is below the face can hold a 10 story building.

This metal gate was beautiful. It show cases all the animals that live in the Black Hills.

The white cast shows what they hope to accomplish. Truly amazing to think that they are carving this from a mountain. The wooden face that Will is standing by is the only image of Crazy Horse that they had to go off. No photographs or sketches were ever taken of the mighty warrior Crazy Horse. All of these things were housed in a huge museum dedicated to the North American Indian. It was very interesting for the kids and adults. I especially liked learning about the man who dedicated most of his life to the creation of this monument. The pain staking time that he put in and all with out government funding. he carved the smaller model and though he has since passed away several of his children still over see his life's work.

I should have taken more photos of this pedigree chart. It is Sitting Bulls genealogy. Some of the names were quite humorous. I'm glad someone saved this information.

These were 2 of the most dangerous bears kept at Bear Country.

Ryan Davis and Brian Riches.

We drove through this park in the R.V. The animals were so close to us. We saw bears,elk, deer, wolves, big horn sheep, bison, and many other animals. The baby bears on the top left were a big hit, they were so playful and fun to watch.

Our own baby bears were a little more tame.

Top row: Alyssa, Liv, Grace.

Bottom row: Will, MaKenna.

There are a lot of caves to explore in South Dakota. We chose to go to Jewel Cave National Monument. This cave is filled with crystals. While inside you climb about 750 stairs and that's after a long elevator ride down.

Will took quite a liking to our tour guide, Jack Howell. he allowed Will to lead a few times so Will thought that was so cool.

To go on a more adventurous tour of the cave you must be able to fit through this cement slab. Brian really tried to get through the slab but couldn't do it. The space represents some of the openings you must fit through on the tour. Man, my claustrophobia wouldn't allow me to go on that tour. Yikes!

Fun at the camp ground.

The carousel at the camp ground was on a free timer so the kids all thought that was fabulous

Grace and Olivia had so much fun chasing these sleepy ducks.

We stopped at a park in Rapid City called Story Book Island. Such a fun place the kids all loved it.( I did too.)

Santa, Rapunzel, Peter Peter pumpkin eater, Humpty Dumpty, There was a crooked man.

Wizard of Oz, Jack and Jill, Raggedy Ann and Andy, Snow White,Pinocchio, Ride a cock horse.

There were so many others, these were just a few of our favorites.

After passing through Sturgiss and Deadwood we came upon this place in a canyon that was dedicated to all of our nations presidents. All of their busts were about 20 feet high and by each bust was a synopsis of their term as president. It also had a paragraph about each of their wives. Such a fun idea it was very interesting.

George Washington

Bush, Roosevelt, Kennedy.

Will's teacher Mr. Beck always says "Thinkin' like Lincoln" So Will put on his thinking face for a photo with Lincoln.

Finally some photos of the Mom's, I guess that's what happens when you take all the photos.

I love the background of this photo.

Gorgeous!

Gorgeous people too!!

Devil's Tower was our first national monument and it is also one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

Our trip was going to smoothly so about three hours from home at about two in the morning this tire went out in the middle of mo where. After several calls for help we found that there was none to be had and that we would have to wait until seven in the morning. Ryan pulled off the road the best that he could and we all waited. Every time a semi would go past it would rock the R.V. and I was scared that a drowsy driver would plow into us from behind. Poor Ryan was sleeping on the floor and MaKenna fell off the top bunk while she was asleep and fell with her knees hitting Ryan in the face. He thought his cheek was broken. What a night! We made it to seven a.m. and someone came and fixed the tire.

Thanks Davis family for a very fun trip. All the kids got along so well, ( the adults too) and we can't wait to see what our next adventure will be with you guys. After Vancouver, Washington, San Diego, and the Caribbean with you guys who knows what will be next?!!