Wall Drug to Mount Rushmore

We had a fun day today. On the drive to Rapid City we stopped at Wall Drug in Wall, South Dakota. There are signs every few miles as soon as you get into South Dakota telling you about all the wonders of Wall Drugs. I remember going as a kid, so we decided to stop in and check it out. It was a fun stop to break up a long car ride. The kids are definitely starting to get irritable. We got some donuts and took lots of fun pictures. Then headed down the road.

On the way to Mount Rushmore we decided to stop in to Bear Country. It is a wild life drive through zoo with bear, mountain lion, reindeer, longhorn sheep, wolves, and more. It was cool (a bit pricey)but the kids loved it. it was pretty neat when the bear just started walking across the road in front of us. At the end we got out and walked to where they have the baby animals, they were so cute!

The final stop for the day was Mount Rushmore. We arrived just before sunset and stayed to watch the lighting ceremony. The area is sooo much nicer then it was when I was a kid. The museum area is all new, there is a walkway with all the state flags, a much larger observation area, and an amphitheater. The kids got their Junior Ranger badges for completing the Ranger workbook. Ralph did a great job finding all the answers by looking in the museum. It was a great learning experience and a lot of fun. We even saw a mountain goat! The Poor thing was being chased by a little girl. It ran right across the stage in the amphitheater and up the mountain.

Run away mountain goat!

We didn't make it back to the hotel until after the pool closed, so we may stay a little late tomorrow so the kids can swim. It has a giant water slide and a hot tub, so I vote yes!



~Ashley~

Here is Ralph workings on his Junior Ranger workbook.