Mount Rushmore

When we showed up to Mount Rushmore it was pouring! However, by the time we reached the viewing area the sun was beginning to shine.
We had a wonderful time looking at the monument but also looking at the museum featuring how the monument was built. Workers were getting paid less than a $1 an hour to construct this amazing piece of art work.

They have recently began construction of a new monument nearby, featuring Crazy Horse. We caught a glimpse of it as we left the area. I am amazed at the talent of people! Carving a face in a mountain is hard work. I wonder how much the Crazy Horse workers are getting paid for this job??

We camped in Buffalo for the night and scored again in having a playground near by and super clean showers. The boys got use to camping each night and, I think, fell in love with it. We had this nice flow of things. Everyone had a job and everyone worked together. Even Caleb had a job. Looking super cute! :)

Badlands and Wall Drug, South Dakota

To be honest after leaving Iowa with Ann and Alan things became a blur! Part of us wanting to see more and the other part just wanting to go home. After Iowa we headed towards the Badlands and Walldrug, SD.
On our way we camped in Sioux Falls, SD. This was the best campground yet. The showers were clean and the play ground was RIGHT next to our campsite! SCORE!
FUN STORY: NOT! The next day we did laundry at a laundry mat in Sioux Falls and had a run in with an interesting fella who wanted money. When we said no he threw a temper tantrum, yelling and making obscene gestures; then walked into the convenient store, bought something and left. Some peoples kids.

After Sioux Falls we made it to the Badlands! JJ said: "I do not want to go to the Badlands, I want to go to the Good lands." The Badlands were phenomenally breath taking, made by an awesome creator.

I love the the view out the back window

We camped right in the Badlands! It was beautiful! We did not do much hiking because once again Sammy could not come and we could not leave her in the car. But Dave and the boys went for a short walked up a trail. This trail had signs warning people about rattle snake sightings and Benn was not to excited.

Wall Drug! ONE BIG TOURIST TRAP and yes folks we were sucked in! Dave had been to Wall Drug when he was a kid and so we thought it would be fun to go back.

This is the same girl that Dave took a picture with many years ago when he visited Wall Drug with his mom and brother.

Jack-a-lope

This T-Rex has a sign out front of it that says: "CAUTION! This T-Rex attempts to feed every 12 mins" Benn and I wanted to stay and watch what happened, but Josiah was having nothing to do with it. While him and Daddy sat WAY back in the distance he whimpered saying "Benn! COME! BENN GET AWAY!" When the T-Rex was ready he rose up from the position in the picture and leaned forward and lets out this amazing roar that can could have shook the building. It was a little scary, even I shook while trying to get pictures!

Famous Wall Drug Coffee!!

Famous Walldrug Doughnut!!

 If you are even in the area stop at Wall Drug just for the experience. It was fun!

We did eat there at the Cactus Cafe and Lounge and were not impressed.  I think if we had it to do over again we would eat at the Wall Drug Cafe. We did however try the famous coffee and doughnuts and were very impressed!! YUM YUM!

Camping in Iowa

We were sucked in by the sign and then purchased the BEST ice coffee ever!!

Ann and Alan took our dog Sammy back home to Wichita after the wedding in Ohio while we continued on our road trip. Dogs are not allow in ANY National Parks and with the temps getting as high as they did we would not have been able to leave her in the car making stopping anywhere difficult.

We met up for a two day camping adventure with Grams, Pops and Sammy right outside of Des Moines, Iowa. Sammy was very happy to see her family again! Her tailed wagged and her body shook.

Driving the bus!

 The kiddos had a blast playing ladder ball with Daddy and Pops!

Singing around the campfire. . .or just the camp ring

Ann and I made KILLER hamburgers!

Pops, JJ and Grams

Pops, Benn and Daddy

 We had a blast watching the fire works for the 4th of July.

We had a great time hanging with Grams and Pops in Iowa! 

The Creation Museum

The Creation Museum was awesome! The name kind of says it all. It is a museum created to demonstrate the validity of creation theory. In addition, the museum takes it a few steps further by drawing a picture of God's original design for the world and the impact of Adam's sin. It was very refreshing to see a biblical worldview intertwined with solid scientific data. Science and religion are not in opposition; in-fact they go hand-in-hand, what matters is the starting assumptions. This museum is in Petersburg, Kentucky and a must see to anyone in the area. 

Dinosaurs were in-fact alive back in the day and the boys thought they were super cool!

JJ is saying RRRRROOOOAAAARRRRR

The cow sneezed on Benn!

Zonkey and a Zorse

They Loved the Camel ride

The Gardens outback were beautiful!