We left for the Black Hills on Saturday the 21st of June at 4 in the morning and got home Thursday the 26th at 2:30 in the morning. Surprisingly Austin and I didn't argue that much. This was a blessing. We can't drive in the car for more than an hour without arguing. We mostly argue about being lost.
I cannot stand to be lost and Austin won't stop and ask for directions. Absolutely will not. Not even if his life depended on it. Crazy I know. So anyways we borrowed his dad's Garmin GPS. What a life saver. So anyways at least we didn't have being/getting lost to argue about. After all we were with my family and that is enough in itself to argue about. We did really good though.
I would have to the worst part of this vacation was when we would agree on a time and the people that pushed for that time wouldn't even get up out of bed until after that time. This really upset Austin. He is very schedule oriented. He wants to know where we are going what time we are getting there what time we are leaving where we are going to eat what time we are going to eat how many times we are going to eat and what time we are going to split in the evening.
I will start this telling with Saturday. Austin, Mason and I leave our house at about 4 in the morning. Let me tell you it is still really dark at that time. Well Garmin must get lost in the dark that early in the morning because it took us on some level B roads and had us so twisted around we didn't where north was.
We might have had a little argument at this point because we can both get to Hwy 20 in our sleep but he had the Garmin and followed Garmin and we got lost. Big surprise!!
So after the sun came over the horizon and we could see it was fairly easy going.
We actually met up with the most of the group at Sioux City at 7:30. That is when it started to go downhill. Just kidding!
I hate following people in a caravan so Austin and I chose to lead. Mind you we did not speed. Well not that much. South Dakota's speed limit is 75 and our high was 79. Now there were some butt heads in the caravan that were going 74. They say for gas mileage. Whatever with what they were driving that extra 5 mph wouldn't have made a difference. A gas guzzler is a gas guzzler. Keep up!!
Anyways I digress, it also didn't help that the rest of the caravan kept stopping. Whether it was for potty breaks or whatever it was slow going. Austin and I decided we didn't need to stop that much and kept going. It would have been easier if all the little kids would have gone at the same time instead of waiting until we had been driving for 5 minutes. Thank god Mason is still in diapers.
We met up with Mare, Jesse and the boys at about Chamberlain. Luckily it was about lunch time finally. We found a little diner there in town and had some lunch. A nice relaxing stop with some really good food.
Well the others must have gone 100 mph to get in front in of us while we were stopped because the math doesn't work out with what they say they were going. So they get in front of us and stop at Murdo at some car show. Didn't interest us but Mare and Jesse needed gas so we stopped.
This is where the slow people ate a greasy truck stop lunch and didn't feel well the rest of the trip. Can you tell I didn't feel to sorry for them. My lunch was great.
After they all have just one more cigarette we finally get back on the road and make it to Badlands National Park. By now I have lost track of the time because we have all agreed to keep up with each other so that we all stay together. I have no idea whose hair brain idea this was but anyways.
We finally make it to the Badlands National Park and Mason has thrown up all over himself and the car seat and it smells. Let me rephrase that. It is hot and sticky outside and it is hot and smelly and sticky in the car. Fun Fun!! So after we give Mason a wet wipe bath and get him changed it was time for some pictures. I hate being in pictures. I am the photographer not the model. So I apologize now for any horrible photos you might be subject to that have me in them.
I really liked the badlands. Well except for the snakes but then again should that really surprise anyone.
After the badlands we went to Wall Drug. I didn't find it that interesting. It is like one huge drug store. I can think of several things we could have done with that 2 hours so anyways now I can say I have been to Wall Drug. Woot Woot!
After Wall Drug we split up and just drove to Rapid City where the slow people had hotel rooms by the interstate. We were staying with Mare and Jesse in their camper at a campground a lot closer to everything. Unfortunately we were right behind the Old McDonald Farm and we could hear the rooster in the mornings. Anyways it was a LOT cheaper to stay with them than to stay in the hotel with everyone else. That and a lot less aggravating.
We had plans to meet at the campgrounds at 8:30 the next morning. Well at 8:30 Cammie calls to say that 'the Dons' had just gotten out of bed. I was not surprised. Austin was irate.
I thought we were doing awesome the first day only being an hour and a half off starting time. Austin thought it was the end of the world. So we went to Perkins and had breakfast and we still beat the others to our first destination.
Our first destination of the day was Reptile Gardens.
I thought this was going to be some little place with a bunch of snakes and maybe a gift shop. I was wrong. There were snakes and a gift shop but there were also birds, alligators, tortoises and a bald eagle.
We left there about 2:30 and I was fried to a crisp. I know what a way to start vacation. Scary thing is the sunscreen was in the stroller. Major DUH moment. Good thing I brought the noxzema with us. (takes the pain out).
So from the Reptile Gardens we went down to Keystone. We again ate at a little place right on the main drag. Austin was nervous about this place because it appeared that we were the only ones in this place. He was okay after I showed him the rest of the restaurant. Very good food and the ice cream was exceptional. That could be because it was really hot outside though.
From Keystone we went on to Mount Rushmore. It has changed a lot since the last time I was there. There isn't too much one can say about Mt Rushmore. It is faces carved into the side of the mountain. Awesome but that is about it. We opted not to go to the cave so we hit the gift shop and that is about all. From there we went on to the campground and then to the hotel to swim.
We got back to the campgrounds and Austin was still hungry so we went to the store and got some supper. Exciting stuff I know.
The next morning was Monday and we went to the Old McDonald Farm right by the campground. I was just so glad everyone was on time. Old McDonald Farm wasn't that exciting for us who were raised on a farm. I did enjoy the pig races though.
After Old McDonald one of 'the Dons' went off to dead wood and the rest of us went back to keystone to ride the 1880's train.
The 1880's Train was interesting to say the least. We were waiting to board and it just started to hail on us. It was a fast moving little storm so that was OK. We were drenched but happy. Mason handled the train really good and was happy to sit there and eat his goldfish crackers. After the rain it was muggy but we were in on open car so after it got done raining and we got the plastic rolled up it was beautiful. I think it was a highlight of the trip. To be able to see all that and not have to worry about driving off the road was wonderful. I thought it was the perfect ending to the day.
Tuesday we started the day by meeting at the hotel. We were on time. One of 'the Dons' had to unpack and repack their vehicle 3 times. THREE times!! Yes, 3 times, because God forbid they do anything the night before and be on time for anything. The Dons were going to go home after lunch so we were patient once more. My mother was so proud.
After they finally got their car loaded we headed to Storybook Island. It was so cute. All the little boys climbing all over all the storybook characters. I thought this little park was fun, especially because it was free ;)
After the boys were tired of climbing and running we settled in the park and had a picnic. The little boys thought this was just as much fun as climbing on the characters.
After lunch 'the Dons' left for home and the rest of us went to do what Mom had been wanting to the whole time. We went down to Hot Springs and swam. This was important to my Mom because when she was younger and they went to the Black Hills her dad took them to Hot Springs and went swimming. Honestly, who could begrudge their mother this memory.
We actually kept our grumblings to ourselves. Mind there was a lot of grumbling being an hour and a half from Rapid City. I think Austin was just glad that we stopped and ate on the way back. We stopped at Chute Roosters. It took forever but was worth the wait. It was really good.
Wednesday morning we were scheduled to head home but first we had to see Sitting Bull Crystal Cavern and Cosmos Mystery.
Everyone went with us to Sitting Bull Crystal Cavern but Marianne, Austin and me were the only ones that actually went down into the cave. There were a lot of steps and it was like a ladder so Grandma Shirley and Dad for sure didn't want to go. After the little boys found out how cold it was they didn't want to go either. Mom was more than happy to stay up top and watch Mason. Cameron opted to stay up top and smoke and Jesse was worn out from chemo so he took a nap in the truck. Mason really enjoyed sitting in the parking lot with everyone else eating a chocolate pop tart.
We really enjoyed seeing the cave. We could have done without the climb up all those steps at the end. My legs felt like jelly by the time we got to the top. Our tour guide said that his legs are like jelly after he climbs to the top and he does it 4 times per day.
Next we went to Cosmos Mystery. I thought this place was interesting. Austin says it is just an optical illusion. I don't care what it is I liked it. I have suggested he prove that it is an optical illusion by building me one in the yard. I think he has given up trying to persuade me that is just an illusion.
We finished the morning by going to Pizza Hut for lunch. I can't say too much for the customer service in and around the Black Hills. I think we had a problem about everywhere we went. Pizza Hut was actually one of the worst and one of the best believe it or not. The first gal to help us realized how big our party was and then ignored us. The second girl was such a sweetie and made sure we were happy and taken care of.
Whatever happened to service with a smile?
So we finally get on the road headed home and it felt so good. We were plus one because Isaac was going to stay with us for the weekend while his mother went tubing in Wisconsin.
Well at least the trip home smooth until Mom and Dad had a tire blow out on the interstate. So we turned around and made sure they got to somewhere OK.
There wasn't much we could do after they were in line to get the tire put on. We started on ahead and just met them in Mitchell for supper at yet another Perkins.
An hour and a half later we were on the road again. It was smooth sailing from there. We arrived home plus one and tired. I don't think the boys woke up on the way in the house. Austin had passed the driving over to me at about midnight so I almost had to carry him in the house also. I think that is a sign of a good vacation.
Pictures to follow.
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