Friday morning we woke up and had a lazy morning at the Blue Bell Lodge, where we each had our own cabins. I went for a walk with a bunch of the cousins, so fun to hear them all chatting and laughing. They get along so well. It's such a blessing. Everyone was pretty worn out from the prior days of travel, no one was very excited to get back into a car.
We decided to go on a Buffalo Jeep ride in the park. We had a nice lunch at the State Game Lodge before we headed out in 2 jeeps to see what we could find. Buffalo are beautiful to watch roam. The kids especially enjoyed it, Cara and I rode in a jeep with all of the kids, but Tommy. It was cute to hear them chattering away, the boys were into it and were very into driving through mud puddles. Max lasted through most of it, but slept through the end.
After a beautiful ride we headed back to our cabins for a little down time before dinner and heading to see Mt Rushmore and be there for the lighting ceremony. What a beautiful site Mt Rushmore is, having not been there since I was 6 years old I didn't remember much. We found seats in the Amphitheater and watched a movie about Mt Rushmore and listened to a Park Ranger speak. They lit the monument. Then after the lighting, they called down all veterans or anyone who has served or is currently serving in our Armed Forces. My Dad headed down, he was in the army....it was so touching to see HOW many people ended up on the stage. After the flag was lowered, the Ranger asked each of their names and the branch they served in, you couldn't help but tear up. And it always reminds me of my Uncle Harold Lee who died while serving our country, and how much South Dakota means to my Dad, his brother and our family roots.
It was a beautiful way to spend the evening...
We decided to go on a Buffalo Jeep ride in the park. We had a nice lunch at the State Game Lodge before we headed out in 2 jeeps to see what we could find. Buffalo are beautiful to watch roam. The kids especially enjoyed it, Cara and I rode in a jeep with all of the kids, but Tommy. It was cute to hear them chattering away, the boys were into it and were very into driving through mud puddles. Max lasted through most of it, but slept through the end.
After a beautiful ride we headed back to our cabins for a little down time before dinner and heading to see Mt Rushmore and be there for the lighting ceremony. What a beautiful site Mt Rushmore is, having not been there since I was 6 years old I didn't remember much. We found seats in the Amphitheater and watched a movie about Mt Rushmore and listened to a Park Ranger speak. They lit the monument. Then after the lighting, they called down all veterans or anyone who has served or is currently serving in our Armed Forces. My Dad headed down, he was in the army....it was so touching to see HOW many people ended up on the stage. After the flag was lowered, the Ranger asked each of their names and the branch they served in, you couldn't help but tear up. And it always reminds me of my Uncle Harold Lee who died while serving our country, and how much South Dakota means to my Dad, his brother and our family roots.
It was a beautiful way to spend the evening...
More to come....
One of my favorite places ever. I get teary just thinking of it.
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