We've decided to spend the 4th of July weekend this year at Mt. Rushmore! I'm so excited--I've always wanted to go there, but never realized how close it actually is to Denver. Oh, it's still a 7-hour drive, but when you live out West like we do--that's considered close! It's closer to go there than it is to go to Salt Lake to visit our families, in fact.Not surprisingly, they do a big program to celebrate the holiday (although it's on the 3rd every year--not sure why). There are performing groups and flyovers from nearby Ellsworth AFB. We had some friends who went last year and said that watching the fireworks explode over the monument was truly memorable. I can't wait! I know it will be crowded and hot but I still think it will be fun.
There are other things to visit in the area as well, like Custer State Park, the Crazy Horse monument that's being built, a few different caves to explore, and another site I'm hoping to see:
This is Devil's Tower in Wyoming. I don't have any particular attachment to the movie that made it famous, it's just something I'd love to see up close.Have any of you visited this area before? Is there anything else that we should be sure to see or any tips you'd like to share? I'm all ears!
That is so cool! I've never been, so I have no tips, but I really want to go someday!
ReplyDeleteoh my goodness! we might be going next weekend with Jared's folks....we'll see if we're all up for another road trip. And, as I'm saying that I realize I'll need another sub. Crud. maybe we won't go :) if we do I'll let you know! i got a SD vacation guide in the mail I can pass on to you. but, sounds like we have a lot of the same things plannned.
ReplyDeleteMany, many years ago when I went as a kid with my family, we ate breakfast at Mount Rushmore. There was a cafeteria/restaurant there and you could eat and view the monument with the sun coming up. Not sure if they still if that is still an option but it was a cool thing to do.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! I can't wait to see the photos!
ReplyDeleteAnd I have to laugh because out East here you can get any places in 7 hours . . . Maine . . . CANADA . . . Virginia Beach LOL
We LOVED Mt. Rushmore.
ReplyDeleteBe sure to see the lighting ceremony... sooo moving!
The trail hike is cool... you won't believe how close you are to the monument. Years ago when my husband was little, you could not get this close.
That whole area is so beautiful... we actually had to stop and let wild buffalo cross the road!
We stayed at this brand new gorgeous Holiday Inn Express in Custer. There were deer everywhere.
YAHOO! You are going to have so much fun. We went to Minnesota a few years ago to visit my brother and law and family and then we drove home to Oregon. Our route took us to Wall Drugs, The Badlands, Yellowstone, Cody, Wyoming for a rodeo and The Buffalo Bill museum, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Devil's Tower etc. It was hands down the best trip. Rushmore is amazing...one of those things that is so incredible to see and is just moving that it was man made. We got up early and ate breakfast there in the cafeteria before the crowds came - would recommend this. The view is amazing. My kids who were in elementary school also did the junior ranger program which was great. We saw Devil's Tower - cool, I think worth the drive. We hiked around it and there is huge prarie dog colony there. Crazy Horse is cool - impressive, but will they ever finish it???? We happened to hit one of the nights that they do a blast which was cool to see (I think they only do them twice a year). Also at Rushmore there is a series of tunnels - trying to remember the name that are man made...I think there were three and each one lines up to a perfect view of Mt.Rushmore. I'll rack my brain as what else to do. It really was an amazing trip. My kids also kept journals which were great to look back upon. Fun, Fun!
ReplyDeleteI went as a kid. All I remember, coming from the East through South Dakota, were all the signs for Wall Drug--and what a letdown that was! Have fun!
ReplyDeleteMy Sister lives is Rapid City. Ever since we moved to Denver last summer we have been trying to get to SD to visit but it always seems that either one of my kids has gotten sick or it has snowed so we haven't made it yet!
ReplyDeleteIronically enough though, they are coming here for the 4th! Maybe you could break into their house and stay there since they will be gone! LOL!
I haven't been there yet but will sometime soon. I know my sister's family likes to go to Deadwood I believe it's all decked out like an old western town. If you want I can have you email my sister and she can give you some insider info!
Have Fun!
-Amy
You will like it! DH's Dad was stationed at Ellsworth when he was a kid, so he knows the area. Check online to see if it's still open, but there is a place called Reptile Gardens in Rapid City that is very cool to go to with kids. Also, depending on how you travel up there, if you go through Western Nebraska, don't miss Carhenge! It's free and right off the highway. Have fun!
ReplyDeletePat from Yardsalequeen
Heidi!
ReplyDeleteFirst, have I even congratulated you on having a little BOY? Well, if not...YIPEE...Congrats! Truly, it is SO much fun to hear that you are having a little boy! I'm sure Quin was thrilled? I hope you are feeling well and you have energy and most importantly...you are able to sleep!
We just got back from mt rushmore on our crazy whirlwind cross coutry trip. It was amazing and the trip was...this might sounds crazy or a little weird, but it was quite a spiritual experiance. Needless to say, it was GREAT! The show/movie that they show is great and then the veterans go down at the end...very memorable.
We stayed in the town of keystone at the holiday inn. Clean hotel with a swimming pool for maren. It also had cont breakfast which is a must for our little family. We did nothing, but mt rushmore. We drove to crazy horse,the kids were tired from mt rushmore and we also decided to not pay the $20 fee and just look at it from the side of rode(I know tacky, but it worked.) We spent all of out time at mt rushmore, swimming and getting our pictures taken at the dress up, olden time pictures place.
We ate at, I think the name was Rubys. Yuck...but maybe it was the time that we went...9PM?
We had a wonderful time and felt like we stayed in the closest place that made us feel like we were actually a part of the "old cowboy town" experiance.
ok ok...I hope this has helped? I'm so happy that you get to be there for the fireworks...so cool!
Have a blast!
Loves
I hope you have such a great time! We have friends that just got back and they had a wonderful time. Have a safe trip.
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