DAY 8: Rapid City area, incl. Mount Rushmore #fiveexplore #roadtripusa2020 #travellingduringcovid19

Day 8 – July 24th

I stared at the google map in front of me. Three hours and four minutes of serene driving around the outskirts of Rapid City. What could go wrong? Seven hours later we returned to the hotel and it was fair to say we had not managed the children’s expectations.

The breakfast fire drill was well established. Various morning accouterments were scattered across our bed and we indulged in a smorgasbord of uncomplimentary food items (sausage, porridge, blueberry muffins and tangerines were my personal choice). There was significant resistance to getting back in the car, so we dangled the carrot of an afternoon swim to sooth the natives.

Part One. We headed south to Custer State Park to explore the wildlife loop. The distant bumps on the horizon grew closer and expanded into hills, pine trees and swathes of grass. We entered the park and found ourselves stuck behind a driver who clearly believed moving above 20mph would result in instant death. Once he pulled over, we turned left into the open fields. Instantly we saw two herds of bison grazing near the road. As we continued, rather than look for animals, we searched for herds of SUVs. This was the clearest indication that a natural wonder had been found. We also saw deer and baby donkeys which delighted the children. However, the buffalo were nowhere to be seen. Once again, the weather dramatically see-sawed. From 30c (86f) and warm sun, the cooling rain left us driving on mountain roads in 17c (63f). It was cold.

Part Two. As the wildlife loop ended, we headed north on Route 87. Our 20mph driver somehow found his way in front of us again. I limited my expletives for the sake of the children until finally he turned in another direction. Sarah warned me that a treacherous mountain route lay ahead. At first, I scoffed at the unnecessary 15 mph speed restrictions but as our elevation increased, we were soon staring at rocks and mountains from the viewpoint of the Gods. We passed through Iron Creek Tunnel and then Needles Eye Tunnel. Both tunnels journey through chiseled rock, barely wide enough to fit our vehicle. Sheer drops into the abyss accompanied every turn and Sarah was increasingly irrational and erratic.

We asked the children if they were enjoying the holiday. Lyra replied, “No.” We asked what part she liked, and she responded, “I hate all of it. All we do is stop off to view things.” If children wrote Trip Advisor parent reviews, we were in trouble.

We ended at Sylvan lake, a body of water surrounded by rocks, hidden paths, and private waterfalls. Lyra was secretly having fun as she climbed the landscape. When asked if she was enjoying herself, she instantly denied the false allegations.

Part Three. We completed our day with a tour of human faces carved into the local South Dakota mountains. We began at Crazy Horse. This memorial of a native American is potentially impressive although it is still being built. For $30 we told ourselves it was worth the money, and indeed the museums are very interesting. Native American history is more prevalent in this region of the USA, deepening your understanding of how two histories intertwine with each other. However, the main highlight was a hot dog, ice cream and pretzels for the kids.

Like a rock band playing their greatest hits we finished with an audience favourite – Mount Rushmore. This attraction begins with a multi-story parking lot. A strange juxtaposition against such a beautiful natural backdrop. You then wander up a narrow path leading to a mountain depicting the faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. These presidents represent respectively the birth, growth, development, and preservation of the United States. As a nice touch the fifty states and their flags are represented on the walk.

We posed proudly next to New Jersey, the 3rd state to join the union. I scoured various plaques until I learn somewhat surprisingly that Delaware was the 1st state. I was beginning to realise much of this country was born in the north-east where we live, including the Declaration of Independence. The richness and diversity of America is found far beyond.

Alaina’s fourth urgent restroom visit in the past hour hastened our departure and we climbed into the car for a swimming appointment, now three hours overdue. As we departed the concrete parking lot, Lyra began to list the litany of sins and lies cast upon her during the past week. Alaina broke the monotonous whine by telling Lyra to “Stop being such a cry baby!” The family tension broke. We laughed in a mixture of relief, tinged with the growing madness of living with four other family members day and night for weeks upon end.

In addition to this daily blog, you can check out our Instagram feed for more photos and short posts documenting our 2020 road trip @fiveexplore