Mt. Rushmore
When our vacation was in the planning stages we realized that we would be very close to Mt. Rushmore and didn't know when we would ever go near South Dakota again (it really isn't "on the way" to too many places), so we mapped out our drive to go through the Black Hills.
Once again I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I was very pleased with our little adventure there. I would have to say it was one of the most enjoyable parts of our whole vacation. But then again almost anywhere that lets kids get out and walk/run around after being in the car for 8 hours is pretty enjoyable for parents.
.JPG)
There is a really nice trail that lets you get up relatively close and see the monument from all sorts of angles. There were interpretive signs along the way for those who don't have two or four year olds in their party (John & Sarah didn't stand still long enough for us to read them, but they looked neat and informative).
.JPG)
As we walked along, I would ask Elizabeth and Rachel, Who was carved up there on the mountain and why were they the ones chosen? Sort of a little history lesson. In case you are trying to figure it out, I'll give you a little help: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt & Abraham Lincoln. You'll have to study up on your US history to know why they were the ones chosen.
.JPG)
To get John and Sarah to look up at the memorial, I would ask them, "Who can find a nose?" or "Who can find the eyes?" They thought that was pretty fun.
Paul was a little disappointed when we drove around the backside and all we saw were a mountain goat, deer and more trees. He was hoping for a lake and the "City of Gold". Sometimes he forgets that movies like National Treasure are found in the fiction section for a reason.
A little ways down the road we did find something cool, a sculpture in progress, Crazy Horse. Not sure who he was but I am guessing someone pretty important. The sculture is planned to be very large and quite impressive. I guess I better go study up on my history.
.JPG)
I knew that someone had enjoyed their trip to Mt. Rushmore or at least learned something, when we were in a parking lot four days later and after seeing the monument painted on the side of an RV John says, "Rushmore!". . . .Yeah!
Once again I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I was very pleased with our little adventure there. I would have to say it was one of the most enjoyable parts of our whole vacation. But then again almost anywhere that lets kids get out and walk/run around after being in the car for 8 hours is pretty enjoyable for parents..JPG)
There is a really nice trail that lets you get up relatively close and see the monument from all sorts of angles. There were interpretive signs along the way for those who don't have two or four year olds in their party (John & Sarah didn't stand still long enough for us to read them, but they looked neat and informative)..JPG)
As we walked along, I would ask Elizabeth and Rachel, Who was carved up there on the mountain and why were they the ones chosen? Sort of a little history lesson. In case you are trying to figure it out, I'll give you a little help: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt & Abraham Lincoln. You'll have to study up on your US history to know why they were the ones chosen..JPG)
To get John and Sarah to look up at the memorial, I would ask them, "Who can find a nose?" or "Who can find the eyes?" They thought that was pretty fun.
Paul was a little disappointed when we drove around the backside and all we saw were a mountain goat, deer and more trees. He was hoping for a lake and the "City of Gold". Sometimes he forgets that movies like National Treasure are found in the fiction section for a reason.
A little ways down the road we did find something cool, a sculpture in progress, Crazy Horse. Not sure who he was but I am guessing someone pretty important. The sculture is planned to be very large and quite impressive. I guess I better go study up on my history..JPG)
I knew that someone had enjoyed their trip to Mt. Rushmore or at least learned something, when we were in a parking lot four days later and after seeing the monument painted on the side of an RV John says, "Rushmore!". . . .Yeah!
Comments