The Faces On The Mountain

Our family (minus Ben's family and Kevin) ventured to South Dakota to visit Mt Rushmore.  We rented a large SUV so Amy's family, Jessi, Jeff and I could travel the 10 hours together in one car.  Carly and Tyler brought two cars for their 7 hour journey so that Carly could caravan home with us because she needed to be in Utah for a marathon the next week.
It turned out to be a great meeting spot for us.  As I watched Blake and Lucy, and even Clara and Callie play together I missed having Cody, Macey and Mackayla with us so much.  It would be awesome if we all lived close.  Cousins are so cute together.
We were pleasantly surprised with the beauty of the South Dakota Black Hills and surrounding area.  There was so much to see and do and we had so little time.  We might have to explore there again another time without small children because there were many scenic drives that we would of loved to have taken.  It is amazing to me as we visit different places through out the country that there are many completely diverse but equally beautiful areas to see.  How grateful I am that the Lord blessed us with such a wonderful world to live.
We did many fun and different things that the grandkids seemed to enjoy greatly.
We started at Reptile Gardens.  Reptiles, especially snakes, are not my favorite but the kids loved it.
Blake petting the snake.  She loves them at our farm, but this one was quite a bit bigger.

This tortoise is real.  They were amazing to watch and to touch.  

 After a quick lunch we ventured through Bear World.  Now that is more my style.  I love the bears

and especially the wolves.  This place was first class.  The animals all seemed so healthy and content.

 The Girls.  We do have a great time together.

 Jessi enjoying the bear back rest.

 Jessi enjoying her personal "bear" back rest.  This one would be my favorite!!

 That evening we went to a Chuck Wagon Dinner that was at the location where they filmed parts of Dances with Wolves.

The next morning was spent at Mount Rushmore, or as Lucy referred to it "The Faces on the Mountain."  Wow, I expected it to be huge, but it is truly indescribable.  The massiveness and exactness of the faces is overwhelming.  

 The Entrance to Mt. Rushmore.

 A dear man offered to take a picture of all of us.  We almost all made it into the picture!!

Three of our original five!!

 Custer State Park was such a beautiful drive.  We saw many animals on the wildlife loop.  In all the places we have driven to observe wildlife I have never seen wild burros.  They were the hit of the drive.  They would stick their heads right in the car windows if you would let them.

 They had already rounded up the Buffalo for the winter so they were gathered in this field instead of roaming free through out the park.

 We saw many mountain goats and also big horn sheep and lots of deer.

Clara and Lucy at one of the beautiful lakes.

I love my family!!  I love traveling to new places!!  When you get both in one---Life is Great!!!