A fun time was had by all at Ari's amazing birthday #3. He was quite the gentleman with his two lady friends, graciously sharing his toys and birthday cake. Papa and I relished our time with Ari and Keira and they seemed to enjoy our company as well. Sara served up some great food to go with our lively discussions. A very happy birthday to you, Ari. We are blessed to have you as our grandson.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Custer part II- please read part 1 below
Saturday morning we went to find my cousin, Sharon and her daughter, Autumn, from Minnesota. They arrived late on Friday. We all took off to see Mt. Rushmore, but Charis hurled on the way and the Gray van had to return to clean up and nap. The rest of us took the scenic route to the heads, in the rain. By the time we watched a movie about the sculpture and looked at the exhibit, the rain had stopped and we went outside to have another look. Then we took a drive to see the wildlife, dear, buffaloes, donkeys, etc. We met up with the Grays in Hill City where we enjoyed a steak dinner with Brent's aunt and uncle.
Kelsey, Brent, and Charis went back to the cabin with Sharon and Autumn and Chuck and I returned to our camp. The sky was clear, the wind had died, the stars were beautiful and so was our fire. We sat up for a long time enjoying conversation and so happy that the rain had stopped. We looked forward to a good night's sleep. At about two a.m., the rain started and didn't stop until sometime near noon. Both of us wanted to get up and relieve ourselves and waited for the rain to let up. It just didn't. When we did get up later, I peeked into Brent's tent to see the lake. I'd say it was more rain catcher than shelter. We grabbed breakfast stuff and headed to the cabin to eat and dry out.
The plan for Sunday was a visit to Wind Cave. What can I say. It was dark, cavy, not all that impressive. After lunch, Chuck and I took a drive on Needles Highway, through beautiful scenery and narrow tunnels. That night we had the big roasted weenie cookout at the cabin, with s'mores. We all slept in the cabin that night.
Sally, Autumn, Sharon, Kelsey
Campfire at the cabin.
Tunnel on Needles Highway, 8'4" wide.
How would you like to find a buffalo in your front yard?
Kelsey, Brent, and Charis went back to the cabin with Sharon and Autumn and Chuck and I returned to our camp. The sky was clear, the wind had died, the stars were beautiful and so was our fire. We sat up for a long time enjoying conversation and so happy that the rain had stopped. We looked forward to a good night's sleep. At about two a.m., the rain started and didn't stop until sometime near noon. Both of us wanted to get up and relieve ourselves and waited for the rain to let up. It just didn't. When we did get up later, I peeked into Brent's tent to see the lake. I'd say it was more rain catcher than shelter. We grabbed breakfast stuff and headed to the cabin to eat and dry out.
The plan for Sunday was a visit to Wind Cave. What can I say. It was dark, cavy, not all that impressive. After lunch, Chuck and I took a drive on Needles Highway, through beautiful scenery and narrow tunnels. That night we had the big roasted weenie cookout at the cabin, with s'mores. We all slept in the cabin that night.
Sally, Autumn, Sharon, Kelsey
Campfire at the cabin.
Tunnel on Needles Highway, 8'4" wide.
How would you like to find a buffalo in your front yard?
Trip to Custer State Park, SD
It was a long drive to Custer State Park in South Dakota. We left at five am and arrived at the park at five pm. The registration for a campspot was complicated and after driving around even more, we finally ended up in a nice spot on Stockade Lake. My cell phone wasn't working here so we had to drive (again) to a lodge to call Kelsey to tell her where to find us when they came in the next day. After pitching the tent and starting a rip roaring fire, we celebrated with champagne and hot dogs. It was a beautiful evening and we slept well.
The next morning we drove up to Sylvan Lake, a lovely little lake surrounded by huge boulders and pine trees. After walking around the lake, we spotted a trail head and decided to load up our fanny packs and check it out. It was rather demanding in places and we were aching by the time we returned to the car. By the time the Grays joined us back at the campground, the wind was picking up and the clouds gathering. Charis played at the playground, we took showers, and cooked up spaghetti. It was really too cold to enjoy sitting by the fire so after some roasted marshmallows, we all turned in at 7:30. It rained during the night and we learned the next morning that the Gray's tent leaked. I will let her tell that story.
To be continued....
Sunrise in northern Kansas
Hike at Sylvan Lake. We were feeling this one later.
Our campgroud at Stockade Lake
Charis enjoying roasted marshmallows.
The next morning we drove up to Sylvan Lake, a lovely little lake surrounded by huge boulders and pine trees. After walking around the lake, we spotted a trail head and decided to load up our fanny packs and check it out. It was rather demanding in places and we were aching by the time we returned to the car. By the time the Grays joined us back at the campground, the wind was picking up and the clouds gathering. Charis played at the playground, we took showers, and cooked up spaghetti. It was really too cold to enjoy sitting by the fire so after some roasted marshmallows, we all turned in at 7:30. It rained during the night and we learned the next morning that the Gray's tent leaked. I will let her tell that story.
To be continued....
Sunrise in northern Kansas
Hike at Sylvan Lake. We were feeling this one later.
Our campgroud at Stockade Lake
Charis enjoying roasted marshmallows.
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