Our family vacation this year was through Wyoming and to South Dakota. We were able to rent a mini-van and travel with Grandma & Grandpa Hillstead. It was a fun trip. There were restful times and some unrestful times, but looking back we had some great time and we have some good memories to go with them.
We stayed in Lyman the night of July 24th and left the next morning, July 25th. We went to Casper via Martin's Cove and stayed one night there. We just relaxed at the hotel, ate Mexican food that night, and played in the pool. On July 26th we traveled the rest of the way to Rapid city, stopping off at Devil's Tower. July 27th-29th we were in Rapid City. We had time to enjoy the waterpark at the hotel, visit Bear Country, see Mount Rushmore, take a train ride, and play at a nearby park. We took walks every morning around the mall. We even walked to a Borders bookstore about a mile from our hotel to buy the Curious George book that has Mt. Rushmore in it. We tried to get it at Mt. Rushmore, but they didn't sell it. Now we can return the library book that Nathan's been reading and still enjoy the story again and again. We left at 5:00 am on Wednesday, July 30th. The ride home was long, but good. We got to Lyman at about 4:30 in the afternoon and stayed there for dinner and to let the boys run around some. Then we put the boys in their pj's and hit the last stretch of road toward home at 9:00 pm. Ryan was driving, but we were both tired and helped each other stay awake. We had a fun time and have great pictures and stories to tell. Read on!
Sunday, August 03, 2008
July 29th: 1880 Train
We took a train ride on our last day in South Dakota. It was an old steam engine train that went between Hill City and Keystone, very close to Mt. Rushmore. We learned a little about the history of the area, saw some beautiful views, and just enjoyed the ride. The little guys liked it. It was hard for Aaron to sit still and we had to hold onto him so he wouldn't fall out or off the bench.
The train crossed the old Hill City-Keystone road 19 times and whistled loudly at each one. It really felt like we were on an old time ride.
The train crossed the old Hill City-Keystone road 19 times and whistled loudly at each one. It really felt like we were on an old time ride.
July 28th-29th: Park at Night
On both Monday and Tuesday night we stopped at Canyon Lakes Park. We ate some Subway sandwiches there on Monday and just let the boys play. There was a little "digger" toy that Grandpa helped the boys with. They also went down the slides and on the swings. It was a nice, relaxing finish to the day.
July 28th: "Mountain" Rushmore
Nathan has been looking forward to seeing "Mountain" Rushmore, as he calls it, for days! We checked out a Curious George book at the library called "Curious George and the Hot Air Balloon." It takes place at Mt. Rushmore. We have been reading it for a couple of weeks and Nathan could see pictures of where we were going to be. He would ask several times during the trip, "Did we make it?" So, one of the best moments on our whole trip occurred just as we approached Mt. Rushmore.
Nathan had been asleep on the way there from the hotel. I wondered if we should wake him up so he could see it at we drove up, but we hesitated to do that because he really needed rest. Well, just after we paid the parking fee and drove around the corner, we hear from the back of the van. "Oh, I see Mountain Rushmore! I made it!" It was probably the best moment of the whole trip! He was thrilled to finally be here. He knows the names of the presidents and could point them out when we got there. It was fun to walk around and get a little closer to it as well.
Of course, as with most things in life, there is opposition in all things. Who knew it could come from the same little angel that was so excited to see Mt. Rushmore? Along with the best moment on the trip came one of the worst. Looking back it's kind of amusing and not all that serious or uncommon for a two-year old, but at the time the only ones laughing were Grandma and Grandpa. They must have a perspective to things that we haven't reached yet.
The beginning was on our walk up closer to Mt. Rushmore. Nathan was drinking out of Aaron's sippy cup and for some reason decided to throw it. Well, it fell off the boardwalk and over the edge. It was a long way to ground, but Ryan walked around and picked it up. Then Nathan had a meltdown over the size of his ice cream. Ryan handled it like a pro. He took Nathan for a little walk to cool down. Nathan was tired and had gotten himself all worked up. Once he settled down, he was very pleasant and enjoyed his ice cream. Aaron still had his sippy cup, and all was well again. They even fell asleep in the car.
The ironic thing about the whole sippy-cup thing is that on our drive home we stopped in Casper for breakfast. It wasn't until we were about 2 hours away between Rawlins and Rock Springs when we were trying to find the boys' sippy cups to give them a drink that we realized both of the sippy cups were sitting on the table in JB's in Casper. We had left them and it was too far to go back. So, Ryan's valiant trek was not entirely fruitful, but give him props for being a great dad - hiking "out of bounds" to get the sippy cup and also handling the little tantrums so well.
Nathan had been asleep on the way there from the hotel. I wondered if we should wake him up so he could see it at we drove up, but we hesitated to do that because he really needed rest. Well, just after we paid the parking fee and drove around the corner, we hear from the back of the van. "Oh, I see Mountain Rushmore! I made it!" It was probably the best moment of the whole trip! He was thrilled to finally be here. He knows the names of the presidents and could point them out when we got there. It was fun to walk around and get a little closer to it as well.
Of course, as with most things in life, there is opposition in all things. Who knew it could come from the same little angel that was so excited to see Mt. Rushmore? Along with the best moment on the trip came one of the worst. Looking back it's kind of amusing and not all that serious or uncommon for a two-year old, but at the time the only ones laughing were Grandma and Grandpa. They must have a perspective to things that we haven't reached yet.The beginning was on our walk up closer to Mt. Rushmore. Nathan was drinking out of Aaron's sippy cup and for some reason decided to throw it. Well, it fell off the boardwalk and over the edge. It was a long way to ground, but Ryan walked around and picked it up. Then Nathan had a meltdown over the size of his ice cream. Ryan handled it like a pro. He took Nathan for a little walk to cool down. Nathan was tired and had gotten himself all worked up. Once he settled down, he was very pleasant and enjoyed his ice cream. Aaron still had his sippy cup, and all was well again. They even fell asleep in the car.
The ironic thing about the whole sippy-cup thing is that on our drive home we stopped in Casper for breakfast. It wasn't until we were about 2 hours away between Rawlins and Rock Springs when we were trying to find the boys' sippy cups to give them a drink that we realized both of the sippy cups were sitting on the table in JB's in Casper. We had left them and it was too far to go back. So, Ryan's valiant trek was not entirely fruitful, but give him props for being a great dad - hiking "out of bounds" to get the sippy cup and also handling the little tantrums so well.July 27th: Bear Country, U.S.A.
One of our favorite places to visit while we were in Rapid City was Bear Country. There are many wild animals and you just drive through the park slowly. At first you see elk, reindeer, big horn sheep, and mountain goats. I was able to get a good picture of the elk because we could roll our windows down there. Then we got to where the bears, timberwolves and mountain lions were. There was no rolling down windows there. We were up close and personal with many bears. They didn't pay too much attention to us, but the wolves looked mean and like they would enjoy a good meal.Nathan loved it. He was running from the front of the van to the back and both sides to see better. We were going about 5-10 mph and we could stop whenever we wanted. I was in the backseat with Nathan and would tell Ryan to stop when we wanted him to stop so Nathan could see something better. Pretty soon Nathan was yelling, "Stop, Ryan, Stop!" It was pretty cute. He was so excited about each animal we saw.
Aaron couldn't see out the windows, but he was happy anyway. All during the trip he would say, "Oo, wassat?" We think he was seeing new things and wanted to know what everything was. It was so cute.
At the end of the driving part we could get out and see some more animals. They had a couple of grizzly bears and then all sorts of smaller critters like badgers, skunks, porcupines, foxes, raccoons, and bobcats. Our favorite part was the bear cubs. There were about a dozen of them or more and they were climbing trees and wrestling with each other. We watched them for quite awhile. Aaron was fascinated. He wanted to get down and wrestle with them.
We went to the gift shop afterwards and bought a little stuffed bear for Aaron. He really liked it and thought it was cute, but when we brought it closer to him, he backed up. I think he thought it was real. He had just seen all those little bear cubs playing and here was one that looked just like it. He got used to it pretty quickly, though and loves it. I think he remembers seeing the playful little cubs.
Nathan got to kiss a bear- a carved one as we headed out. He is the loving-est little guy when he wants to be.
July 27th-29th: Rapid City, South Dakota
We got to Rapid City on Saturday night. They boys were so excited to be out of the car. They got on the bed in the hotel room and just bounced and smiled and laughed. It was a little different having all of us sleep in the same room. Getting to sleep was a little harder for the boys and there was no relaxing in the front of the TV for Ryan and me.
We thought the little guys would be tired and sleep in, but no such luck. On Sunday morning they were up bright and early at 6:00 am, so we got up and took a walk. It was a nice day and it was good to get outside. We took a walk every morning we were there in Rapid City. The first morning was the earliest, though.
Eventually we all got a little more used to sleeping in, but bedtime was still an issue. Nathan was sleeping in a big bed, and Aaron was in a pack 'n play. When Nathan was in his bed, he could easily get out and usually would go over and check on Aaron who wasn't too excited to be laying down for rest. They had a good time giggling together. It was a little bit of rodeo each night- trying to get the boys corraled and staying put. We managed, though. When we got home, both boys were excited to see their beds and roam around the house freely. Most of the time Aaron was strapped into a stroller or carseat, so he was especially happy to be home.
At our hotel they had a waterpark. There were two big 165 foot tube slides for us bigger folks to ride on and a pirate ship with slides and water spraying for the little ones. Nathan wasn't too keen on going down the slides. He doesn't like to get water in his eyes. He would play in the water a bit and would go down with Ryan, Grandpa or me, but that was it. We also played in the big pool. We spent Monday and Tuesday morning in the water while Grandma was in meetings. Aaron loves the water and would just float around and splash the water with his hands. We even took him down the slides with us a few times. He really liked that, too.
We thought the little guys would be tired and sleep in, but no such luck. On Sunday morning they were up bright and early at 6:00 am, so we got up and took a walk. It was a nice day and it was good to get outside. We took a walk every morning we were there in Rapid City. The first morning was the earliest, though.
Eventually we all got a little more used to sleeping in, but bedtime was still an issue. Nathan was sleeping in a big bed, and Aaron was in a pack 'n play. When Nathan was in his bed, he could easily get out and usually would go over and check on Aaron who wasn't too excited to be laying down for rest. They had a good time giggling together. It was a little bit of rodeo each night- trying to get the boys corraled and staying put. We managed, though. When we got home, both boys were excited to see their beds and roam around the house freely. Most of the time Aaron was strapped into a stroller or carseat, so he was especially happy to be home.
At our hotel they had a waterpark. There were two big 165 foot tube slides for us bigger folks to ride on and a pirate ship with slides and water spraying for the little ones. Nathan wasn't too keen on going down the slides. He doesn't like to get water in his eyes. He would play in the water a bit and would go down with Ryan, Grandpa or me, but that was it. We also played in the big pool. We spent Monday and Tuesday morning in the water while Grandma was in meetings. Aaron loves the water and would just float around and splash the water with his hands. We even took him down the slides with us a few times. He really liked that, too.
July 26th: Devil's Tower, Wyoming
We left Casper on the morning of the 26th, and traveled to Devil's Tower, about an hour outside of Gillette, Wyoming in the northeast corner of state. Just before you get to Devil's Tower, there is a prairie dog town. It's hard to see them at first, but you start looking you see little prairie dogs popping up all over. This was also Nathan's first real view of Devil's Tower.
Once we reached Devil's Tower we walked around it on the Tower Trail. At the start of the trail and at the base of Devil's Tower are a lot of boulders. The trail takes you all the way around Devil's Tower. At some points we could look out over the beautiful valley below. There were some climbers climbing up the sides - it was amazing to see them up so high on almost sheer faces of rock. It was a pretty hike around and Devil's Tower
At the end of he hike the boys got out of their strollers and played around. Aaron loves to pull himself up on everything now. After a couple of days of long car rides, they were both ready to get out and move. We let them play for a little while before loading up and heading to Rapid City, South Dakota.
Once we reached Devil's Tower we walked around it on the Tower Trail. At the start of the trail and at the base of Devil's Tower are a lot of boulders. The trail takes you all the way around Devil's Tower. At some points we could look out over the beautiful valley below. There were some climbers climbing up the sides - it was amazing to see them up so high on almost sheer faces of rock. It was a pretty hike around and Devil's Tower
At the end of he hike the boys got out of their strollers and played around. Aaron loves to pull himself up on everything now. After a couple of days of long car rides, they were both ready to get out and move. We let them play for a little while before loading up and heading to Rapid City, South Dakota.
July 25th: Martin's Cove
We stopped for lunch at Martin's Cove, Wyoming. We ate our packed lunch, Nathan climbed trees and then we all took off in a handcart. We put the little boys in the handcart and trekked off. It certainly gave me a greater appreciation for those pioneers who had little children. Nathan and Aaron enjoyed the ride, but we had to keep a close eye on them - especially Aaron- so they didn't fall out or reach through try to touch the wheels. It was a about a 2.5 mile round trip walk. (We didn't walk up into the cove - you can't take handcarts and it was too far.)
It was nice and overcast on our walk there, so we weren't too hot. On the way back the clouds turned to rain and we got drenched. It came down hard and quick. Nathan stayed in the handcart and was relatively dry, but Aaron didn't want to ride and I carried him the last half-mile or so in the rain. I'm grateful we only had that far to go and I didn't have to worry about carrying my child through the bitter cold for many more miles and then not having a warm place to rest at night. As it was we all made it back and loaded up in the van, dried off, and were able to make it the last 60 miles or so to our hotel where we ate, relaxed and played in the pool. What a difference a 150 years makes. It was a good way to commemorate Pioneer Day.
It was nice and overcast on our walk there, so we weren't too hot. On the way back the clouds turned to rain and we got drenched. It came down hard and quick. Nathan stayed in the handcart and was relatively dry, but Aaron didn't want to ride and I carried him the last half-mile or so in the rain. I'm grateful we only had that far to go and I didn't have to worry about carrying my child through the bitter cold for many more miles and then not having a warm place to rest at night. As it was we all made it back and loaded up in the van, dried off, and were able to make it the last 60 miles or so to our hotel where we ate, relaxed and played in the pool. What a difference a 150 years makes. It was a good way to commemorate Pioneer Day.
July 24th-25th: Setting Off
The first night of our "vacation" we stayed at Grandma & Grandpa Hillstead's house. Grandma was singing her reunion songs for us and we got out the instruments and all played along. Nathan and Aaron loved banging on the drums and the sticks.
Grandpa and Nathan spent time outside watering flowers, moving rocks around (that was mostly Nathan :), and sitting on the deck to enjoy the nice weather. We all went out at night when it was dark and the sky was so big and you could see so many stars. It's beautiful in Wyoming.
We got up on July 25th, and packed up the rented mini-van and set out on our trip. It was nice to all be able to travel together. Nathan was in the back with Grandpa, Aaron was in the middle chair with Grandma and Ryan and I were up front. We rotated around during the trip, but that was the seating arrangement the majority of the time. Grandma and Grandpa were so good to our boys and patient when things didn't always go great.
Grandpa and Nathan spent time outside watering flowers, moving rocks around (that was mostly Nathan :), and sitting on the deck to enjoy the nice weather. We all went out at night when it was dark and the sky was so big and you could see so many stars. It's beautiful in Wyoming.
We got up on July 25th, and packed up the rented mini-van and set out on our trip. It was nice to all be able to travel together. Nathan was in the back with Grandpa, Aaron was in the middle chair with Grandma and Ryan and I were up front. We rotated around during the trip, but that was the seating arrangement the majority of the time. Grandma and Grandpa were so good to our boys and patient when things didn't always go great.
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