Day 3 - July 22

Ok, we are behind in our posting because of stupid photo upload issues.  Today is actually day 5 and I am writing this in a cute little cabin at Henry's Lake State Park.  It's nice....except for the leeches (more on that when day 5 gets posted).  

What did we do?  Since we got to our cabin at Spokane Creek campground late the night before, we needed to hit up Mt. Rushmore first.  Our plan was to see the evening program up there on Sunday night but we didn't make it in time, It's fine because we got to see the badlands (Brenden's favorite part thus far).  We bought breakfast at the little campground cafe.  They sold ginormous cinnamon rolls and we bought 2.  Don't worry, we got healthier stuff too.  Next, we drove iron mountain rd that has tons of switchbacks and crazy turns but it's worth it because you get to drive through tunnels with this view....

Cool, right?  At Mt. Rushmore we walked the presidential trail which takes you around the bottom of the monument, sort of.  It's a nice walk and it's awesome to be able to get a little closer,  At the gift shop, the last man alive that worked on the monument was there signing a nice little book that reads like an interview with him.  We bought one and got a picture.  I'll post that later since it's on Taylor's phone.

The nearest town to Mt. Rushmore is Keystone, SD.  It is, of course, touristy and we took advantage of that fact and had a little fun.  We rode a lift up part of the mountain, had bison burgers at the top and then rode the alpine slide down.  Next, we panned for gold and got ice cream while Taylor did a spur-of-the-moment groceries-for-dinner-trip.  I don't know if we missed anything by skipping Crazy Horse but it was so nice to go back to the campground, swim, play and cook dinner.  Because we weren't really camping, but using the cabin like a cheap hotel room, we didn't really bring our regular camping gear.  Somehow, Taylor managed to cook over the little fire pit and make the best steak and chicken thighs ever.  He rocks!!!

Just as we finished up eating s'mores, an awesome lightning storm rolled in.  We weren't sure if we would be able to see the evening program but just as we got there, the sky cleared and it turned out perfectly.  

So that's it for day 3.  The kids have been really great (except for Kylee's whining, Brenden's tantrum along the presidential trail and Dylan's antics - Chay isn't perfect even though this report makes him seem that way).  

Here's the photo round-up for the day...