Back from vacation.

We went on a road trip last Sunday and got home Thursday night. We took a trip out to South Dakota. I had never been there and really wanted to see Mt. Rushmore and other sites. Cameron was off-track at school so it was the perfect time to go. The weather was nice the entire trip which was a blessing. I thought for sure it would have started to get cold since it was going to be the beginning of October.

Mt. Rushmore (Cameron took this photo for PTA Reflections) Crazy Horse Monument
Rushmore CaveThe cave was one of the coolest things I have done. We got to the cave at 3:05 and they had just started their last tour at 3:00. We were able to go into the cave and join them. I'm glad we didn't have to come back another day. It had stairs and lighting inside so it was pretty easy to navigate.

Devils Tower (Gillette, WY)
The tower was pretty impressive. We took the hike around the base of the tower so Cameron could do his scavenger hunt for the Jr. Ranger program. It was a nice, quiet, peaceful hike.

Ellsworth AFB
The AFB wasn't that impressive. Michael really wanted to go to the museum to check out the old planes and was a little let down. They had all their planes outside and the elements really had gotten to them. We think the Hill AFB here in UT is much better and cleaner. You should have seen all the wasps inside. Scary!

Wall Drug (riding a Jackalope)
Wall Drug was a fun, huge drug store full of lots of things to buy and eat. If we had known we could have eaten there we would not have stopped for breakfast in Rapid City. Cameron came away with a plastic hunting rifle as his souvenir.

Badlands National ParkThe Badlands were pretty impressive too. They had the best visitors center of all the places we visited. The only animals we saw while there were some Bighorn Sheep.

Cameron got his Jr. Ranger at Mt. Rushmore, Devils Tower and the Badlands. He got a Jr. Scout at Crazy Horse. If your children have never done Jr. Ranger activities they should. It is fun and Cameron can't wait to get more badges to add to his collection.

If you've never been to SD I would highly recommend this trip.