When a mount rushmore tree dictates going back

A parting shot from our black hills.

on the first full day there we passed this tree while walking the trail in front of mount rushmore. i really liked the texture and how it had the look of it unraveling at the top. all of that was accentuated when looking at the rock behind it. the rocks had the same texture (especially on the right side) and showed line movement in the same direction.

on the last day we headed back there because

1. we wanted the boys to run around the wrinkle rock trail area which is about five minutes from there

and 

2. to get them some more of those crushed penny souvenirs (the ones from the machine you crank and imprints an image). we are partial to these because they can be turned into ornamental flash on objects made.

and

3. get back to this tree-rock site. thousands upon thousands of people passing this tree and i still wonder how many we taken by it.

Trip with children

As this great trip comes to an end we tally up just a few of the character building extras:

2x emergency stomach purges

&

1x "#1 accident" in the middle of a one hour and twenty minute tour deep inside the world's 3rd largest cave. 

Tunnels through rock

Tunnels through rock, tight turns, steep grades, amazing scenery and best of all the minimal traffic. Threading the jeep through the needles highway was the best "driving time" of the trip. 

Mount Rushmore

Today we introduced the boys to Mount Rushmore.

Ignoring the barrage of billboards, there is no denying the magnificence of scale and grandeur of this landmark. 

We are somewhat early on in the season so although it was busy, there was not a crush of tourists. This afforded us more time to better view of the monument.

On the way

 On our way to the black hills.

this very fair spring weather has created an abundance of insect life. 

Clouded vision from looking through our windshield is proof of that.