Vacation 2012 Part 3: Needles Highway and Mt. Rushmore

Mt. Rushmore.  What American, or foreigner for that matter, doesn't know what that is and I'm sure that the same picture comes to mind when we all think of it.  When I was given the opportunity this summer to go, I have to say I didn't immediately jump on it.  The fact that I had to camp and in a tent, no less, kinda swayed my excitement.  And part of me didn't believe we were going until we had hit the road leaving from Iowa.  Yes, it took me that long to believe it.  But, alas, we did get to go.  But before we saw Mt. Rushmore, we headed down Needles Highway.  I had never, in my life, heard of Needles Highway.  But Ben's aunt insisted that we see it, even though it was already on our agenda.  Even as we were leaving her driveway in Iowa, she stuck her head in the window and with an eerie whisper, she said, "NEEEEEDLESSSS HIIIIIIIGHWAAAAAY".  I know, Creepy. 
So Needles was where we were headed.
There are so many places to stop and look along the way and there are these tiny tunnels where only one car gets through at a time.  If you are very claustrophobic, then I think you should close your eyes while going through.  The good thing is that they aren't very long at all.  The longest one we went through took us like 3 seconds.  And make sure to honk as you are going through so other cars will know that you are coming out.


The rock formations on the road are amazing.  I didn't really have a first thought because I was speechless.  I think wow was my main word and thought throughout the whole trip.  And rightfully so.


So as I said in the previous post, Tyler and Carter love to climb on rocks.  I think it's built into a boys DNA to love things like this.  They were more than excited when they found out there was a place to stop so they could do some more climbing.  Oh, I forgot to mention, my husband loved it just as much as they did.  But my boys climbed in flip-flops.



The place where we stopped for the longest is the home of the Needles Eye.  I'm guessing this formation was made by the wind.  It's the photo to the left.  And it took me a minute to find it.  You don't just see it.  You have to look up and be standing in the right place.  Thank goodness for the sign right below it.  (That was in a sarcastic tone.  I wasn't feeling to bright that day and it showed)

And the other is a very rare family photo.  But at this point into the trip, my kids were all photo'd out.




The photo on the bottom is why it's called Needles Highway.  These formations are along the road.


Ever see the movie Nation Treasure 2:  Book of Secrets?  The scene where Nick Cage reaches his hand inside the rock and pretends that he gets bitten?  That was filmed at Sylvan Lake, The place in the top photo.


Mt. Rushmore just wasn't that exciting for my kids.  And I really can't expect much more from a 5 year old, a 6 year old, and an 8 year old.  They just didn't understand what went into carving four detailed faces into the side of a mountain made of granite.  But I totally got it.  Again I was overwhelmed.  I think I stood in one place and stared for 20 minutes.  It was beautiful!!






Just a couple of different views.


Concerning Mt. Rushmore, it's truly amazing to see what people can do with God's amazing works and I really do hope to go back one day.  If you get the chance to go, do no pass it up. 
Up next in Part 4,  Our train ride on a real steam locomotive, Bear Country U.S.A. (Baby Bears!!!), and Sturgis!!


Live Greatly, Love Softly