Mount Rushmore and Flintstone Village

We had intended to spend the morning at Flintstone Village, since we were right there, but we woke up at 6 and it didn't open until 9.  So we headed over to Mount Rushmore instead.

On the way we got sidetracked by a tourist trap, a giant Rock Shop.  There were boxes of rocks all over and mining cars the kids could climb in and out of.  It was fantastic because I only had to worry about them breaking themselves.

I'm pretty sure the amazingness of the faces carved onto a mountain was lost on the girls.

But I LOVE Mount Rushmore so it was still worth the trip.

The girls are great at boycotting special pictures.

We walked the 1/2 mile loop next to the mountain and Heidi insisted on being independent and walking down each flight of stairs (there are a lot).

And then we tricked the girls into getting a picture with the faces.

Tyler and I love perusing gift shops together, but we found that with Heidi it was like taking a Bull into a China shop so I volunteered to take her outside.  She was VERY upset and threw a fit next to the doors.  Every time someone would walk out they would do a double take, look around for the parents and then tell me "I though she was a doll!"  She was not amused by this.

But when she found a South Dakota travel guide all she wanted to do was read it while walking topsy-turvy through crowds of tourists.

She must have been very interested in what she was learning, it was like this the entire way to the car.

We took the scenic loop back to Flintstone village, which ended up taking a lot longer than expected.

So we were all excited to make it here!

This is a remake of a photo from 6 or 7 years ago when I made the same trip with Gwen.  Unfortunately I can't find those pictures!

There was a little train that we got to ride a few times around the park.

This is Heidi's "YES we ARE on a TRAIN ride Mom! And I'm THRILLED"

South Dakota does statues and themed houses really well.

I remember coming here as a child, so I was super excited to bring my own kids.

So was Tyler.

Alex ran over, climbed up, and declared this her new Momma.

Heidi was having some trouble backing the car up.

I think you can tell what my favorite piece of playground equipment was as a child.

Once again the kids could have stayed here all day, but we had to be on our way.

But we give this place 1.5 thumbs up!