Trip Across the Country - Part 3

Day 6 (July 4th): MINNESOTA - SOUTH DAKOTA

I wish we'd taken more time to explore Minnesota! Angel had studied it the previous year in school, and I'm sure we would have had a great time there!  As it was, we were in a hurry to get to Sioux Falls for the Fourth of July Celebrations, so we just stopped for our token state sign picture, and were on our way. :(  Maybe next time!  (Note: the scratches on poor Angel's face were from Mt. Olympus Water Park, where she face planted during a wave in Poseidon's Rage wave pool....)

SOUTH DAKOTA

Who knew there was SO much to see and do in South Dakota???!!!  We could have spent days and even weeks exploring the state - there were so many fun things to do, so we had to be very selective in what we chose.  Our first stop was Falls Park.  It was BEAUTIFUL!

We spent several hours exploring the park, then visited an amazing Children's Science museum, and finally, headed to a local carnival where we played, had a picnic, enjoyed an incredible Independence Day celebration, and finally, experienced some INCREDIBLE fireworks UP CLOSE.  No exaggeration - the fireworks were lit about 20 feet in front of us and exploded literally over our heads.  We had ashes falling down on us - that's how close they were!  After the first explosion, Wiggles began to panic, to the point that I had to get up and RUN (not walk) her to our car (1/2 a mile away) - but that still wasn't enough to calm her fears.  I explained what fireworks were, tried to reassure her of our safety, gently sang to her, stroked her hair, rubbed her back, etc - but the only way I ultimately got her to 'calm down' (sort of) was by turning our car radio up very high, putting a blanket over the two of us like a fort, and holding her close.  We remained like that until the rest of the family returned from watching the show.  She had not done this before, so we weren't expecting it - but it will probably be awhile before we try fireworks again with her; it was pretty traumatic, the poor dear! :)  Since then, she has also developed a similar phobia of thunder.  How we love our tender-hearted little one!

(Sadly, I didn't get any pictures of us at the Fourth of July Celebration.)

Day 7: SOUTH DAKOTA

We headed west and had a LOT more fun in South Dakota!  I was really shocked by how much there was to see!!!  We stopped in Mitchell at the Corn Palace (I remember stopping there as an 8 year old girl on a road trip with my grandparents!)  It was under construction, so much of it was bare, but it was still quite impressive!!

Then we headed west again and stopped in Wall - home of the famous Wall Drug Store and community.  

There were some small fountains there, which were very refreshing, given the incredible heat of the day!  But the fountains sprayed very briefly at each spout, moving about in a random pattern.  Wiggles could never seem to time it right - so she seemed to spend nearly all of the time waiting by a spout, only to give up and move - shortly after which the water would shoot out.  It was so entertaining to watch - and eventually, she got wet! :)

The big dinosaur was a hit when he started moving and talking!

DAY 8: SOUTH DAKOTA - WYOMING

We stayed the night in Rapid City, SD where we attended church that morning, and then hit the road in the afternoon! :)  We first stopped by Mount Rushmore.  We didn't actually enter the monument, since it was Sunday - instead, we just did a 'drive by' and a couple of stops to see it from various angles.

Here, the Mr. thought it would be fun to have each person in the photo pose as one of the faces on Mt. Rushmore (in their respective order).  This was the result. :)

We stopped at another site where we could see Washington's profile.   Angel came up with the clever idea of pointing to Washington....

...while Grins, darling boy that he is, decided to pick Washington's nose.

Finally, we stopped by the Crazy Horse monument, where we experienced beautiful Native American cultural arts, including dancing, singing, bead work, sculptures, and more!  It was a beautiful experience and a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Native American culture, which is near and dear to the Mr's heart!