Day 3
RAINED OUT !
Wednesday morning was a RAIN OUT for Rushmore. The rain was
too heavy and the fog was too dense to get a good look at Mt. Rushmore. We
headed into Keystone to hit all the indoor museums and attractions while we
waited for the weather to clear.
The Presidents Wax Museum
We started at The Presidents Wax Museum where we learned about all of the presidents and their journey to office. It was very educational and a little creepy. The kids enjoyed it and Charlie listened to all of the audio for each president. I can’t say his momma did the same, but I enjoyed seeing JFK and 911 exhibits. I then decided we needed a button collection of our site seeing and state visits as well as random postcard mailings. Our family has decided to purchase a postcard from every event we experience and select someone to mail it to. WATCH YOUR MAIL!!
The Presidents Wax Museum
We started at The Presidents Wax Museum where we learned about all of the presidents and their journey to office. It was very educational and a little creepy. The kids enjoyed it and Charlie listened to all of the audio for each president. I can’t say his momma did the same, but I enjoyed seeing JFK and 911 exhibits. I then decided we needed a button collection of our site seeing and state visits as well as random postcard mailings. Our family has decided to purchase a postcard from every event we experience and select someone to mail it to. WATCH YOUR MAIL!!
George W. Bush at Ground Zero 9/11
JFK in office with son
Lyndon Johnson being sworn in as President immediately following the assassination of JFK with Jackie Kennedy standing in her blood soaked clothes.
ENO'S Pizza
We grabbed some lunch at ENO’S Pizza at the Keystone Mall,
which was an outside souvenir spot and eatery.
They have a large map on the wall at ENO’S where we got to place a pin
where we live. We put the first pin on their map for Morris, IL. VERY EXCITING!
People came all the way from Italy and Brazil.
Need I say more...
Josh and Carmen Dropping a Pin on hometown Morris, IL as ENO'S Pizza Patron.
The Rushmore Cave
Then we headed to the Rushmore Cave. The Cave was pretty AWESOME! I was pleasantly surprised how well everyone did with the drop in temp and hour long tour trapped in a cave with strangers. The gift shop had some pretty impressive souvenirs. Josh found a beautiful marble chessboard he and Chandler had to have. After the tour, Chandler, Colin, Josh and Charlie went down a duel zip line ride. Those who know me know heights just aren’t my thing. We participated in a 7D Video Game on a big screen with movable chairs. We were all scared as the Zombies were jumping out at us and we had to shoot them with our guns. Chandler got first place, which isn’t surprising but Josh swears his own gun was off target.
Rushmore Cave
Momma Bear Showing Baby Bear the many colors of the cave
Cave Tour
Worlds Largest Cave Column
Colin, Carmen, Chandler, Charlie- they currently still like each other.
Rushmore Zip Line Colin and Chandler
Don't worry MOM, we got this!
Zombie Chaser 7D Video Game
Charlie totally freaked out by killer Zombies
Everyone had a Blast at Rushmore Cave
Bear Country USA
Exhausted from walking, we drove out to Bear Country USA where you take a paid, 45 minute drive through protected wildlife. We saw some beautiful creatures up close and personal. The Bears love to mingle with people. They have no problem walking up to your car to say hello. It must be mating season… explain that to your little people. At the end of the drive you pull up to a small zoo where there are smaller protected animals and babies. It was a great time by all.
Exhausted from walking, we drove out to Bear Country USA where you take a paid, 45 minute drive through protected wildlife. We saw some beautiful creatures up close and personal. The Bears love to mingle with people. They have no problem walking up to your car to say hello. It must be mating season… explain that to your little people. At the end of the drive you pull up to a small zoo where there are smaller protected animals and babies. It was a great time by all.
Bear Country USA
Rocky Mountain Goat
Bear coming over to us to say hello. I'll admit I was a little nervous.
Nap time.... on the side of the road?
I'm so bored.
Baby Bears have the most fun. They were very entertaining.
They aren't free to roam Bear Country just yet.
AWE! Red Fox
Goof Ball Charlie
The Reptile Gardens
We moved on just down the road to Reptile Gardens. It was getting late in the evening but we made it there just in time to catch the last 2 shows of the night. We watched a snake show which Josh was less than thrilled to attend. EEEKKKK! The gator show was pretty cool though. The man running the show sat on a gator and showed us how to handle one in the wild. I think he really enjoys his job. We took our time going through their large dome where they housed many snakes and other amazing reptiles. The frogs got my attention. They are a lot less intimidating but were fascinating.
We moved on just down the road to Reptile Gardens. It was getting late in the evening but we made it there just in time to catch the last 2 shows of the night. We watched a snake show which Josh was less than thrilled to attend. EEEKKKK! The gator show was pretty cool though. The man running the show sat on a gator and showed us how to handle one in the wild. I think he really enjoys his job. We took our time going through their large dome where they housed many snakes and other amazing reptiles. The frogs got my attention. They are a lot less intimidating but were fascinating.
Snake handler Chandler.
Josh was shaking in his khaki's.
Croc handler Chandler.
I think he loves his job.
Chandler taped up a baby crocs mouth so the audience could pet him.
The boys getting up close and personal with prairie dogs.
Colin standing next to very large tortoise. One of them is 109 years old.
They were GINORMOUS!
Ummmm. Big Fat Bull Frog
The Reptile Museum South Dakota
2014 Guinness World Records Largest Reptile Zoo
The weather never did let up but the day wasn’t a wash. We
had a blast! I’M A HAPPY CAMPER!!
No comments:
Post a Comment