I have to say - I love exploring the US. There are so many amazing things to see.... and just not enough time (or money) to see them all. But we sure did try to fit a lot of it in, in a short amount of time!
Our first day we woke up to a lot of fog... it really was actually a cloud sitting on top of us. So we decided that since we couldn't see anything - we'd go underground!
So off we go to Jewel Cave National Monument....
We had a great cave tour with the ranger - this is one of the most expansive cave systems. So far they've unearthed so many caves that if you start at this entrance - you could travel 3-4 days to get to the "end" of the explored caves. Wow....
Sadly, my littlest also came down with a little bug and while in the cave suddenly did not feel well.... thankfully we made it back up to the top before she really got sick.
And of course, the girls worked hard to complete their Junior Ranger books and got another badge!!!!
While inside the cave, the ranger was telling us that to go on the explorers cave tour (a 4-6 hour tour by headlamp) you had to be able to squeeze through this block.....
Megan can go!!!!
But she doesn't want to spend an hour in tight spaces like that.... me either!
Next up was Custer State Park. It was still really foggy in places - but we decided to go ahead and go up Needles Drive. If you've never been here - you should do it - at least once. You might only want to go once.... it is a CRAZY drive. Now on that note, we were actually probably really fortunate that we couldn't see much - because we weren't freaked out that we were on the side of a cliff and such - I mean we were, but if you don't see death staring you in the face - it's not so bad. :)
This is the needles eye (hence - needles drive). Now to get there you go on a road that winds and curves through the mountain. They say it's a 2 lane road.... I might have to disagree with them on that.
Then you'd come to spaces like this - where only 1 car at a time can get though a space, but you can't actually see the other side so sometimes you get "stuck" in the middle and someone just might have to back up..... just saying.
And as you drive through the "tunnels" you are holding your breath because it feels like your car won't fit.....
We found a break in the mist and fog and a fun picnic area at "cave in the wall".... we did explore there!
And then right outside the bathroom - a "little" buffalo came to visit.....
That took us onto the next area of exploration inside Custer State Park - the wildlife loop....
Can you tell that prairie dogs were always a favorite stop...
Personally - I love the pronghorn (antelope).
Then it was time to head back to the hotel.... well the most direct route was over the Iron Mountain Road..... Here's the sign to let you know what to expect...
I have to say - even with the narrow roads, the pigtails, the switchbacks, the driving like 15 mph... I loved this drive. Everytime you headed North - you saw Mount Rushmore.... Loved it!
The tunnels were a little nerve wracking since you couldn't always see the other side....
What is a pigtail?????
Once you are out on the highway - you get an amazing view of Mt. Rushmore. That just got us all excited because that's where we go tomorrow!!!!!
And a fabulous stop is at the "profile overlook"..... because I mean, look at that profile. Amazing!
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