Well we made it back home yesterday. Good golly, we drove in headwinds all across S. Dakota and only got 6.4 mpg in our diesel pickup. WHOA! I'm sure glad that my husband is an amazing driver in pulling the trailer in that wind. Last night there were tornado warnings in the area we had stayed the night before and I'm very glad that we were a day ahead. I have some last photos of the trip to share with you.
We took a helicopter tour around Mt. Rushmore and Horseshoe lake. It was Piper's first time in a helicopter, although she flies with her dad quite often in their plane. It was a stunning sight from up above.
THe different views were amazing.
Here we are by the helicopter we rode in.
The next stop that day was The Presidents Wax Museum. Piper stood at the podium and made her speech!
We had an audio recorder that you just pressed the number you wanted to hear about and it would tell you about their presidency.
Grover Cleveland married his wife, Frances, on June 2, 1886 in the Blue room of the White House. She was 22 and he was 49.
President Bush after September 11, 2001 with the firefighters at ground zero.
President Kennedy and the famous desk where John-John played. He was the youngest elected president.
There were wax figures of all of the presidents and a few other historic figures like General Reno and Custer and Crazy Horse.
We also drove the Iron Mountain Road where the pigtail bridges are located. These bridges are amazing works of engineering.
Round and round we go.
Our last night in a KOA in Mitchell, SD. After I took this photo a doozy of a storm came through with lots of lightening and thunder.
I did manage to make a baby blanket while riding in the truck. It is another "Grace" blanket made with Mandala Baby in the "Diagon Alley" colorway.
The trip was a resounding success. We enjoyed so much the time with Piper. She was SO good and a great sport. Even when she and Papa got lost on a hike and went two miles farther than they were supposed to and I had to go rescue them. Thankfully I had waited in the truck because my back was bothering me. At least then I could drive to rescue them. They have laughed about it ever since and I know it will be a memory that is relived over and over.
Round and round we go.
Our last night in a KOA in Mitchell, SD. After I took this photo a doozy of a storm came through with lots of lightening and thunder.
I did manage to make a baby blanket while riding in the truck. It is another "Grace" blanket made with Mandala Baby in the "Diagon Alley" colorway.
The trip was a resounding success. We enjoyed so much the time with Piper. She was SO good and a great sport. Even when she and Papa got lost on a hike and went two miles farther than they were supposed to and I had to go rescue them. Thankfully I had waited in the truck because my back was bothering me. At least then I could drive to rescue them. They have laughed about it ever since and I know it will be a memory that is relived over and over.
We were so busy the entire week and I'm glad a have a couple of weeks to rest up before our next trip. In three weeks we will head west again only this time we'll go to Montana to see our son's family before going on to Spokane for a couple of weeks. Lastly, we plan to go to the Oregon coast before heading home.
Thanks for following us along on this trip. I'm glad that you enjoy it and this way I also have a record of what we've done throughout the years.
I hope you're having a lovely weekend.
Blessings and love,
Betsy
Blessings and love,
Betsy
A great trip for sure. Mt Rushmore looks quite different from the air. We toured Galveston Island by helicopter long ago and far away. It was a fun adventure. Good to see you had such fun!!!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a great time. The air photos of Mt. Rushmore definitely give a different perspective.
ReplyDeleteWelcome home. You deserve a bit of rest now.
So many memories were made! What a blessing to spend time with Piper! Rest up!
ReplyDeleteI love the Scripture verse, and your baby blanket is lovely, Betsy! Your photos are beautiful, it looks as if you had a wonderful time! Thank you so much for sharing your journey.
ReplyDeleteSuch a fabulous trip!!!! Lots of wonderful memories. The photos of Mount Rushmore are just amazing. It really shows the tremendous work that creating those masterpieces entailed. It just boggles my mind that man could create all that.
ReplyDeleteToo funny about the extra 2 mile hike. Those are the best memories that you laugh about again and again. And thank goodness you guys have such a great driver with Dennis. I would have my eyes closed driving in storms!
And how wonderful you get to visit the rest of the family next! Stay safe!
It truly is magnificent. I am struck by how inventive an idea it was. Who thought, "You know, we could make faces on that mountain."?
ReplyDeleteWow! Mt. Rushmore from a helicopter? That is amazing! What a thrilling experience for all of you! I can't even begin to imagine it! Wow, so glad they were able to communicate with you when they went too far on the hike! What would we do without cell phones...or did they have walkie talkies? Sometimes cell phones don't work in places like that! Glad everything turned out okay. Glad the storms didn't do any damage to you all. And glad you are home safe and sound. That little baby blanket is a work of art! How do you do that while riding in a vehicle? You are so good you could probably do it in your sleep! LOL. Still more travels ahead? I am happy for you. Wish I had your stamina! Enjoy your travels. It sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteSo many memories to cherish for a lifetime! My grandmother took me on a trip to Niagara Falls and the Corning Glass Factory when I was about Piper's age and I think about it all the time.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you made it home safely. The Weather Channel was showing the tornadoes in SD and they were incredible. I don't know what I'd do if I saw something like that coming down the road at me.
Oh Betsy, the trip of a lifetime from my viewpoint. I love the helicoper ride over Mount Rushmore, and it reminded me of my past with small planes. My dad got his pilot license when I was about 8 and I enjoyed it so much. Fast forward to a trip my dearest and I took in a four passenger plane from Perris CA to Portland Maine. Wow it was wonderful you see so much more at 10,000 feet. The lay of the land.
ReplyDeleteBack to you....I'm so impressed with the trip you took and in that big motor home behind the truck...Loved the pictures.
What a great trip. Thanks for showing us all the pictures too. How fun to take that helicopter ride too. Glad you got back home safe and sound. Blessings to you and Dennis and Piper too.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that your trip was so great and so many memories were created.
ReplyDeleteSo Grandpa and Piper got lost on a hike and you had to rescue them. What a story that will make for years to come. And now you get to rest up before leaving on a lengthy trip again.
What a fun trip! The helicopter ride had awesome views. Glad you are home safely!
ReplyDeletePiper for President! I'd vote for her!
ReplyDeleteI've been up in a helicopter - just once, and it was only a 15 minute ride, but it was amazing! I only flew over Hamilton Harbour and Lake Ontario. Flying over Rushmore must have been exhilarating!