October Break- Mt. Rushmore and much more!

This year, instead of visiting Disneyland during the kids' October break, we weren't sure what to do since I needed to work (All-state auditions) and the kids had a whole week off! We had originally planned to share the time off, I would take a few days and Dan would take the rest. Then Dan decided that if he was going to be off work he didn't want to just sit at home, so why not take the kids to Mt. Rushmore for a little trip?

The little trip turned into a bigger trip when he realized how much there is to see out there. First was Devil's Tower in WY, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Cave Wind National Park and the Badlands! (I was sad to miss out on all this, but I was never home that week and I was so glad Dan could make memories with the boys!)

First up: Devil's Tower! You know, the mashed potato pile from Close Encounters of the Third Kind?

 The boys hiked around the perimeter of Devil's Tower.

Bunny!

Such interesting formations!

I just love their goofy faces!

Apparently the bark of a ponderosa pine smells like vanilla!

 Bye Devil's Tower!

Next stop- Mt. Rushmore! We hadn't been to Mt. Rushmore since Cade was 4 months old!

Pickin' the noses of the Presidents....

The boys enjoyed the visitor's center and worked hard to get the Junior Ranger badges for all the places they visited on the trip.

This shows one of the steps of the sculpting process

The pillars had flags for each state, so the boys wanted pictures by the states they were born in.

Mt. Rushmore at night!

 Along the way they found this AWESOME reptile garden, home to some amazing species. Boy heaven!

Now it's time for Wind Cave National Park. Bet you didn't know there is a large system caves in the northern states! The boys got to explore and learn all about the different formations you can find in caves.

I'm sure this picture was a mistake, but i think it's cool because they look like ghosts!

All kinds of wildlife about!

Whatcha lookin at?

Crazy Horse! I think by the end of the trip Dan was getting tired of taking pictures, or tired of the boys, or just tired, lol.

So a quick Crazy Horse story: Dan tried to go at night and it was closed, so they came back the next day and it was closed again while they were filming a TLC special. So they let them walk around the gift shop and take a few pictures, and while they were browsing, Dan sees the Prince of Darkness himself walking through the gift shop. Yup, Dan met Ozzy Osborne! He was part of the TLC special for some reason. Dan didn't bug him for any pictures since he looked pretty unhappy that him and the boys were in there. 

These gates at Crazy Horse were designed by the original sculptor of Crazy Horse.


And of course you can't miss Wall Drug when you're in this part of the country!

 And on their way home they drove through the Badlands. More wildlife, including wild boys :)

Cade said he was grumpy because his foot hurt.

What beautiful country and memories that will last a lifetime.

Cade said his favorite memory was seeing Crazy Horse.
Alex said his favorite memory was seeing Mt. Rushmore lit up at night and walking around the trails.