Home Again

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.

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

Mount Rushmore

Monday night we headed to Mount Rushmore for the night lighting ceremony. If you have never done that, and you have the ability to go, I know you would enjoy it. If you have an ounce of patriotism in your body, you will be moved. I’ve cried every time I’ve seen the faces light up and the Star Spangled Banner is sung by the crowd. There is just something indescribable about it.

Here is Piper showing you the Avenue of the State flags and our first glimpse of Rushmore

Waiting for the evening ceremony to begin. We had a wonderful time visiting with the people around us. There was a big group of senior citizens, (our age), that were going to be riding their electric bikes on the Mickelson Trail the next morning. That is not for the faint of heart.

Absolutely stunning. Photos can’t even begin to share the impressiveness of this site



Yesterday morning, Tuesday, we went into Custer, South Dakota and wondered through some shops. They have painted buffalo on each corner with different themes. I really liked this one.

We didn’t stop here, but you can find places named after Calamity Jane and wild Bill Hickcock all over the hills. There are a couple of saloons here that were the sites of famous gun fights back in the 1800s. It was indeed the Wild, Wild West back then.

In the afternoon, we drove the Needles highway and went through the infamous tunnels. The scenery throughout this drive is breathtaking.

This one is much longer and is the Needles Eye tunnel. Our truck barely fits through it, even with the mirrors in.

Beautiful 

The Cathedral Spires.

Piper said she loved the drive. She had never seen anything like it before. This girl has traveled around the world with her mom and dad, but told us she’s never seen mountains like this before.

We had dinner at the Blue Bell Lodge. When our kids were little, we camped at the campground there at Blue Bell every year in our tent and then our pop-up trailer. We went to church in the amphitheater behind the lodge on Sundays. This place holds a lot of memories for us.

Waiting patiently for the food to arrive.

After dinner, we headed toward the wildlife Loop, Road to see if we could find any animals. Not far from our campground we came upon this sight. we don’t see these often in Nebraska!

We continued on the Wildlife Loop, Road where we found a lot of animals. We saw Buffalo with their babies.

Isn’t this face the cutest?

We saw many antelope. These three decided just to hang out in the middle of the road for quite some time stopping traffic in both directions. We didn’t mind because that’s what we were there for.



And then on our way back to the camper, we saw this one lone bison. It was very close to Bluebell. In years past, there was always one buffalo hanging around the campground. Our kids nicknamed him George and chose to believe it was the same Buffalo, year after year. Of course we sent them this picture last night and asked them if they thought it could be George still hanging out there 40 years later! Ha!

Today our plan is to go to Evans Plunge a mineral hot spring. That is the world‘s largest indoor pool from mineral water. We haven’t been there since our kids were little and Piper is really looking forward to swimming with Papa. I’m not a swimmer, but I’m hoping I can get in and just watch.

Much love and many blessings to all of you.

Betsy

Black Hills Here We Come!

We're on our way to the Black Hills in South Dakota and we're taking Miss Piper along. She's a GREAT traveler. No complaining. Entertains herself. Last night we stayed in Mitchell, SD and when I woke up this morning, she and Papa were playing a rousing game of UNO all in Spanish. She took Spanish last year in school and practices with him whenever she can. He enjoys it too because since he retired he doesn't use it nearly like he once did with his South American clients. He does speak it at the Open Door Mission once a week but he like to talk to her best! :-)

We had a doozy of a thunderstorm last night. Rain all night long and quite a lot of thunder and lightening too. There is nothing like the sound of rain on the camper roof to lull you to sleep. It's one of my favorite things.

After we dropped the camper at the KOA last night we went to fuel up the truck and stop by the world famous Corn Palace. The back story is that every year the outside of the building is completely redecorated using corn and wild grasses. The end result is stunning. When you think of the space that is covered EVERY year! We don't stop by every year, but the last time we took photos it was honoring the armed services and was amazing.

This year it is the Wonders of the World! I'll try to get photos for you. Here we go! Hold on!

















Aren't they stunning? It amazes me every time I see the new artwork.

Here's our very own own corny girl!

I took this photo for her other Grandpa who drives tractors on a farm to enjoy his retirement. She looks right at home doesn't she?

When we picked her up yesterday this is the sight that met us! You should have seen Papa's face. He thought these were all her bags for the trip. :-) Actually Brad did it on purpose to freak him out. The ones in the front are all empty. Just the bag she was touching and a backpack were hers, along with the pillow and paper bag of snacks. It was a lot of work for him to drag all of those bags up from the basement, but it was worth it to see Dennis's face. It's Piper's first time camping and she is used to the luxuries of home but she's doing great. Last night I taught her how the shower and toilet in the camper work and that you actually have to wait for the water to get hot when you turn on the water heater. It's not automatic like at home. She's a great sport and we've spent lots and lots of time laughing already. How I love this girl.

I made three bonnets for her little doll Tucker. She chose the yarn. 

Sage green.

And gray.

It all started when her other Grandma asked if I could make a bonnet for this little doll. It had belonged to her Mom when she lived in the Assisted Living with dementia. Somehow she had lost the bonnet. I found this pattern for a micro preemie and made this one for the tiny doll. Then I adjusted the pattern for Pipers newborn size doll. I love that she still enjoys dressing and caring for her dolls. Other kids aren't so kind, but I think it's teaching her how to care for a baby.  I tell her about all of you who still like to "play" with your Barbies and other dolls and I think it helps. I still like helping her dress them too. You're never too old to play, are you?

Right now we're driving across S. Dakota about 175 miles east of Rapid City. The wind is blowing HARD. Our fuel mileage is only 7.2 mpg right now. Yikes! The wind is always bad across S. Dakota and we just kind of budget for it. What else can you do? It's still less expensive than hotels and we do like having our own bed and bathroom. I've watched too many shows that show the cleanliness of hotels and it's made me paranoid! Ha! It is nice to have your home with you. Food, clothes, bed, etc. 

Tonight we'll be at Fort Welikit outside of Custer, SD. Tomorrow we plan to go to Mt. Rushmore. Wednesday it is supposed to rain all day so the plan is to go to Evans Plunge in Hot Springs. It's the worlds largest indoor mineral spring pool. A good rainy day activity.

Well, I'll close for now. Take care everyone. Stay safe and remember that the Lord is aware of all that is happening in the world. He loves you. 

Blessings and love,

Betsy