Road Trip #2

Jeremy and I have been talking

for a while about taking his boys

on a Road Trip.

We finally decided it was time to go!
The final goal was Mt. Rushmore but
Jeremy is very good about scouting
out fun spots to stop along the way.
Wyoming was our first stop.

We stopped the first night just a short way
from Mt. Rushmore.  We had driven through
pretty bad weather and driving conditions
but Jeremy is a pro and the boys
were convinced we were going through
a "time tunnel".  What an adventure!

Mt. Rushmore is absolutely amazing.
When we rounded the bend in the road,
there was the sight that I have seen
in pictures all my life,
but even more spectacular.
It dawned on me that
it was one of the wonders
that I never really expected
to see in person.
After all, who wants to drive all the way
from Houston to South Dakota.
But now that I live in Colorado,
the trip wasn't bad at all. 

This is a reflection of the mountain
in the glass of the museum.  

The tunnel of flags leading
to the mountain is really pretty.
I was going to use the word
"amazing" but I think
I might be overusing it.

Loved this profile of Washington
on the side of the mountain.
I just visited Washington's
grave in October at
Mount Vernon so his
was even more meaningful.

As we were heading to Wind Cave,
we encountered a herd
of about 30 buffalo.
I think Nana was even more excited
than the boys.

They surrounded our car and were licking the car.
You are probably observing a FIRST--Buffalo
lick marks on a Toyota 4Runner.
Jeremy had to maneuver carefully to
get out of the herd and as we looked
back, the buffalo were chasing our car.
Jeremy, the ultimate road trip planner,
took full credit for the appearance of
the herd of buffalo.

Our next stop was Wind Cave National Park. 

The formations were beautiful
and the Park Ranger was both
knowledgeable and fun.
Caleb was especially fascinated and
asked lots of questions.
Aaron's main question was
if there was a way out.
When we left the cave, Caleb
asked, on his own, if he
could thank the park ranger
for the tour.  How proud Nana was!!!

Because their daddy is a history buff,
these boys have already been in
more museums than their Nana
has in a lifetime, and they love them.

This is a fun cowboy boot outside
the Wyoming State Museum.

I love the sunsets in Colorado Springs
behind the mountains, but there
is just something special about
a sunset in the wide open spaces.

One of the hotels that we stayed at
had wildlife in the lobby.

Here are Caleb and Aaron
imitating the mountain
lion's stance.  It's so much fun to
see the joy that children can find
in the simplest things.

On the second night, we stayed in
a Hampton Inn.  Caleb was just
in awe of how fancy it was.
The paper plates at breakfast
were embossed.  He asked me if
I thought Fancy Nancy would
like it there.  Again, the joy
of simple pleasures.  

Sorry that this picture is a little out of order.

We got tickled at this sign saying that
Nebraska was the home of Arbor Day.
Looking at all the flat scenery,
I couldn't help
but think that this sign
indicated wishful thinking.

I had never heard of Scott's Bluff
National Monument.
It is the sight where settlers
on the Oregon Trail often stopped.
It was pretty spectacular.  While there,
we drove through the only 3 tunnels
in all of Nebraska.

Thinking back to Caleb's comments
about the fancy motel,
I think the settlers would have
appreciated the luxury
that we take for granted.

What a FANTASTIC time
I had hanging out with my
son and grandsons.