Klingler Family: June 2013

View of Mt Rushmore from the Iron Mountain Road

For vacation this year Delwyn thought it would be fun to take the kids to Mt. Rushmore, I had never been there so thought it was a great idea. We left early in the morning on June 10, and drove across Wyoming and arrived in Custer, South Dakota around 5 pm. The kids handled the drive over fairly well, because they were so excited to go.
After getting checked into the hotel and eating dinner, it was off to the hotel pool. The pool was suppost to be heated, so as I went to step in I go a shock to feel ice cold water. I backed out and spent my time in the hot tub. Delwyn and the kids did venture in and seemed to have a great time.

Enjoying the cold pool

The next morning it was up early to drive to Mt Rushmore. It was amazing to see and learn about its construction. We were able to take the almost mile walk up closer to the monument. The kids seemed to do well. We had brought the stroller for Aleeya, but she didn't want to sit in it much, most of the time we ended up carrying it or pushing it empty.

The Kids in front of Mt Rushmore

We went also to see the monument Crazy Horse that is still under construction. It is not even close to be finished but they seemed to be making progress. The monument is huge, so huge in face that Mt Rushmore would be able to fit in just the head of Crazy Horse.

Crazy Horse

We were also able to take a couple of scenic drives through Custer State Park. The Needles Highway was awesome.

Amazing tunnels on the Needles Highway

Needles Highway scenery

We also decided to drive into Rapid City for dinner, while there we took the kids to "Dinosaur Park" to play. They loved climbing on each and every dinosaur and have a picture taken.

Dinosaur park

We loved to climb on the dinosaurs

On Wednesday we had hoped to go on the 1880 train early in the morning but it was full, so couldn't go until afternoon. We spent the morning taking more scenic drives through Custer State park. The Wildlife loop wasn't very exciting for us, since we can see bison all the time in Yellowstone. But for some people they stopped and looked forever. The Bison like to stand in the road and not move, and no one seemed to want to try and get by them. At one time we were stopped for 15 minutes just waiting for the cars in front of us to go around the bison. The Iron Mountain Road was great. We went through 2 tunnels that as you came out you could see Mount Rushmore, it was cool.

Cool bridges on the Iron Mountain road

Herd of Bison that didn't want to get out of the road.

Finally it was time for the Train ride. Aleeya had been waiting for this the hole trip. The train ride was 2 hours through the Black Hills from Hill City to Keystone. We saw lot of forest and the rocky mountains up close. We were able to see Mt Harney, which is the tallest mountain between the Swiss Alps and The Rocky Mountains. The kids seemed to enjoy it. On the ride into Keystone we ended up sitting in an open window car, it was a little cold, so for the return trip we moved into a car with windows.

The family at The 1880 Train

The kids loved this train especially Aleeya

After the train ride we headed back to Custer so the kid's could go to the Flintstones bedrock city amusement park. They had been wanting to go since they first saw it across the street from our hotel. They had a great time, Delwyn even joined in the fun by swinging on the swing set.

Betty, Jessica, Wilma, and Kylynn

The kids in Barney's car

The family swinging

We left early Thursday morning to come home. We decided to take a different route on the way home and go to Devils Tower, WY. We arrived just after 8:30 am and hardly anyone was there. We made our way around the tower, the kids complaining about having to walk. Then about half way around they decided it was OK and started to climb on all the rocks and wanting there picture taken. I have more pictures than I know what to do with.


Family at Devils Tower

Devils Tower

We ended up getting home at 10:11 pm. It was a really long day and the kids were much more grumpy and they thought they needed to stop every hour. I was never so glad to see the Welcome to Idaho sign and know we only had about another 1 1/2 hours to go. Over all it was a great trip. Thanks for the Memories everyone.

Jessica was able to participate in the 8U softball tournament on June 4 and 6th at the community fields. For there first game they only had 6 players and got killed. They were so discouraged, after the first inning when they couldn't get anyone out. I felt so bad for them.
There next game wasn't until Thursday night since they were in the consolation bracket. I was suppost to work but was able to trade so I could be there for her. Jessica was hit in the arm her first time up, and could hardly move it, but she continued to play. The game was close the hole game and ended up going into an international tie break for the last inning. I was happy for them but after sitting for already 2 hours I wasn't sure I wanted them to have to play a second game today. They ended up winning and were so happy.
The next game was for the consolation bracket championship. They had to play a team for Rigby, and they didn't do so well, but they continued to encourage each other. Jessica had wanted to pitch all season so they let her try, she threw mostly ball with a couple of stikes, but no one seemed to care, they just kept encouraging her it was awesome to witness. I was sure glad I was able to trade shifts at work to be there. They did loose the game but no one seemed to upset. They even gave them a medal. Way to go girls.