On the Road - Day 5

Day 5..........OK then. Got up, had breakfast, and left for Mt. Rushmore. It was a bit stormy when we were loading up the car to leave. The skies were dark and murky and it was really windy with a dash of rain. First real weather of the trip. Cameron was none too happy about this. We made the 1/2 hour drive to the monument. On the way, you pass through a town called Keystone. By the looks of the town, I can imagine that Keystone would have never existed had it not been for Mt. Rushmore. A real tourist trap of a town. After Keystone, you start a gradual climb towards Mt. Rushmore, and there it is....you can't really believe you are seeing it in person. It really is quite a sight. As a whole, the National Park Service has done a great job with the whole place. It felt like a National Monument that you would visit in D.C. It was fitting for the four men depicted on the mountain.

After spending a few hours there, we departed and continued our journey. We decided we would make a stop for lunch in Wall, SD. at the infamous Wall Drug. It wouldn't be a problem if one did not know how to find Wall Drug. They woud be able to find it and make it there OK due to the numerous signs on the side of I-90 posted about, hmmm...let's say, every foot of the way! We arrived and I quickly determined that Wall Drug would fit in very nicely in the town of Keystone, SD. This place is one HUGE tourist trap. They sell every knick-knack you could imagine as well as serve up food and free ice water. (Did you hear that? FREE ICE WATER!!! Why didn't we come here first?)

After lunch, we marched on. We drove for a long time and then stopped in Mitchell, SD. to see the Corn Palace.........
Yep, you guessed it, that is all corn. Nuff said. Moving on.....

We made it to our last hotel of the trip in Sioux Falls, SD. which is not very far from the Minnesota State Line. This place also had a pool and I opted to pay a little extra and upgrade to the executive suite. It was nice. Julie and I had our own room and put the kids in their own area. It was the first time that we did not have one of the kids in bed with us. Prior to bed time, Chelsea had a MAJOR meltdown beacuse of said separation. Julie and I stuck to our guns, but expended a great deal of energy trying to get her to go to sleep. Which is why I am posting this update a bit later than the others. I didn't have it in me to write anything after that.

Next up....the final day of the trip.......