4th of July in South Dakota

For the past few years, we have talked about visiting Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the summertime. We just never got around to planning the trip, or finding the time to travel in our often chaotic lives. One evening, we were watching TLC or Discovery and they were talking about the Best Fireworks Events in the US. One of the featured shows is held at Mt Rushmore during the 4th of July weekend. One of the biggests in the country, the fireworks are launched right off of the President's heads. What a great way to celebrate the birth of our nation...with the monument that represents the great achievement of Democracy. We looked at each other and did not have to say a word. We were heading to South Dakota...

Me and Brett - first glimpse of Mount Rushmore

Two of our best friends, Betsy and Mike (& their almost two year old daughter Audrey) were also sold on the idea and planned to come along with us.

Mike, Audrey and Betsy ~ great friends


We booked a camp site at the Mt Rushmore KOA in an area nearby. Camping is a great alternative to staying at the Mount Rushmore hotels. All of the amenities at the Mount Rushmore KOA made it an extremely comfortable camping trip. Our tents were in the middle of a shady tree area. The fire ring was a few feet away. The bathrooms (50 yards away) were always clean with available shower stalls. The KOA even had an all you can eat pancake breakfast for $2.50. In addition, there were tons of things to do in the camp area - swimming, putt-putt, water slides, volleyball, horseback riding, and so many others we didn't even get to.

The main reason for the trip, the fireworks show at Mount Rushmore, did not disappoint. Zambelli Fireworks was the professional fireworks company that put on the display. It was amazing!! We had to get to there 12 hours before the fireworks started, just to save an area with a great view. It was worth it! We had to find creative ways to entertain ourselves. This could have been one of the all-time best people-watching destinations!


It is easy to stay busy with Audrey around


Like mother like daughter


Amid the chaos of people

Here is a little clip of the show's finale...

Just a little drive away from Mount Rushmore is the Crazy Horse Memorial. I was simply amazed at the determination and persistence of a man and his family to build a monument honoring the life of Crazy Horse. This monument will be completed long after we are gone, but there is a part of me that knows that it will be completed and that the legacy of this man and his people will be remembered forever.

Crazy Horse ~ as of July 4th, 2008


The model to the left with the mountain in the distance


We also visited Custer National Park.

We drove for hours to see the burrows (kinda look like donkeys)

and the buffalo herd that lives in the park.

Looks like donkeys huh??

and the tons of buffalo


Our trip to South Dakota was such a breath of fresh air. It is amazing what slowing down, appreciating the wonders of nature and human creativity, and being with great friends can do for the soul. As we settle back into our every day lives, we'll remember the great times in South Dakota...