Going to Mt. Rushmore-- WE'RE BACK! Day 5 is up!! page 10 Final Day!

[DISFANSTHREE]

We are just back from Mt rushmore,Yellowstone also. We started at KC mo 6 am made it to mitchell SD about 3 pm, did the corn palace, looked neet, but would not go back, had a good meal at chef louie, bull out front. We stayed at the comfort inn awesome hotel, watch the water slide, my daughter fell down at the top by rush of water. Next day nice drive to Rapid city with a stop off at wall drug, buy some fudge. Made it to rapid city, we had reservation at a old hotel downtown that lots of pres have stayed at, will not say name, we asked to see a room, was old and looked old, when we made reservation they said hotel was just remolded, look like at 1940 remolded job. They did cancel our reservation for us, so that was nice. Looked around and found a nice raddison to stay at, was more are likeing. Mt rushmore was awesome also did the tunnels at custer drive state park was neet. Back to raddison daughter was not feeling good up all night in bathroom, both ends, off to the ER in rapid city at 2 am, full service hosiptal awesome staff, had us fixed up and back at raddison by 5 am, glad we were in rapid city and not on the road. Raddison said take all the time we needed,checked out at 12. Back on road to cody WY long 7 hr day, glad to get to Cody, fantastic drive. Stayed at Cody cowboy village neet place. Yellowstone was awesome, just a long day with road const going on inside park and out. Did get the pic with old guyser blowing. Back to cody off to Denver, then back to KC. Just did the highlights but had a great trip, For me this trip is a once every 10 year trip.. Kind of like the grand canyon. Back to key west and WDW for us next year,can;t wait... also we will be flying..

 

[SleepyMom]

bumping this up - hoping to see day 5!

 

[disneybound31]

Day 5- coming up... sorry, I got very busy for a few days.

 

[disneybound31]

Today we leave.

We got up, had our usual breakfast which was wonderful and packed up the mini-van. I had planned a day of fun, FREE, family stops throughout Rapid City on our way to the airport.

I used a simple road map that had attractions highlighted... my plan was Dinosaur Park, Chapel in the Hills, Storybook Island and finally a quick stop at Memorial Park to see the Berlin Wall exhibit.

We had about 3.5 hours to do these things before checking in at the airport. Dinosaur Park was easily found. We winded up the hill and the kids were thrilled to see the life-sized green dinos on the horizon. As we approached I handed them a pamphlet to look at and that is when we noticed a coupon on the bottom for a free bag of popcorn on the bottom of the card. We spent about 30 minutes (lots of stairs BTW) looking at and taking pics with each dinosaur and then we hit the gift shop/bathrooms. IMO this was neat and a fun little stop, but if pressed for time there are several other neater things to spend more time seeing.

Next was Chapel in the Hills. Truly a highlight. Not only of the day, but the whole trip. Please make time for this stop whether you may be spiritual/religious or not- it is such an architectural marvel. Beautiful craftsmanship- is built entirely of wood and wooden 'nails'. No metal nails used at all. A perfect replica of a 800+ year old Norwegian church. The whole atmosphere was calming and moving. (I have used the word 'moving' more over the last weeks ) Sitting in side you can hear a short taped blurb about the church and it's history- also inspiring music is played and you are welcome to just sit and have your own private moment. Several small groups of people arrived after us, but everyone used quiet, hushed tones and moved about quietly. Each evening at 7:30 pm a short vesper service is held. I wish we had fit that into our travel plan. One of my very few regrets this trip.

Also, check out the gift shop (of course!). It has an authentic grass roof and really neat items for sale. This attraction is completely free, but runs on donations. And proceeds from the gift shop. Worth a donation! Oh, I almost forgot the prayer walk. Behind the chapel is a simple path with stone statues and placards with each a different saying. It leads up to a neat rock grotto. Pretty cool. We spent more time here than I thought we would. I think everyone liked it alot.

Next, we headed toward Storybook Island which is literally just down the block from the Chapel. I had wanted an hour or two to spend here so the kids could run and stretch their legs before getting on the plane, but we were pressed for time and only had about 45 minutes. So we practically ran from storybook scene to scene to check them all out... they had lots of Disney scenes for us! (Disers, I mean!) Storybook Island is a free playground/park maintained by the Rapid City Rotary Club and it is really fun. There are slides and swings, tilt a whirl type spinning things, a maze and a concession stand. All throughout the park are lifesized dioramas of different fairy tale stories... Humpty Dumpty, Snow White, Dalmations, Noah's Ark (not fairy tale, but anyway), Wizard of Oz, etc. 140 in total, I think I read.

We had fun there, but before we knew it it was time to hit the road and we had NO time left to find the Memorial Park and the Berlin Wall exhibit. Bummer. I had really wanted to see this. It is the largest Wall placement anywhere in our country and when am I ever going to get back out there? But at any rate, we saw what we wanted to see. Did what we wanted to do. And overall had a spectacular trip.

I could envision wanting to live in that area with all it has to offer. I made mental note of a couple of particularly cute homes I saw for sale in the Chapel Lane/Storybook Island area! This trip made a big impression on us and I could see repeating it. This state has so much to experience.

I hope I didn't get too descriptive and make anyone not want to see stuff because I described it 'too much'. Like when someone tells you too much movie plot and ruins it. And I hope you enjoyed hearing about our trip as much as we enjoyed going! Happy travelling!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thanks so much for the information on Chapel in the Hills. Is that the one built in the same architecteral style as the Norwegian Stave church in Norway at Epcot? Either way, we'll definitely try to make time for it next year. Too bad you didn't get to the Berlin Wall exhibit, but from what I've read, there's so much to do in the Black Hills, you really have to plan to go back!

 

[Stitch's O'hana]

I am glad to hear, that you had an awesome trip to our state! We live about 45 min. away from Mt. Rushmore! We are not from SD, we moved here from MN We will have lived here now for 3 years. It is a great place to live and lots to do! To bad you did not have more time to visit, but then that just gives you a reason to come back! Thanks for the great trip report!

 

[SleepyMom]

Thank you so much for your trip report! I really enjoyed it, seeing the Hills through your eyes.

If I remember the dates of your trip right I think you were at Chapel in the Hills on my brother's anniversary. He and his wife go there every year on that date and walk around, it has been 25 years since they were married there. I think it is so sweet that they return each year, just the two of them to remember their wedding day.

If you would like, I could get some pictures for you of Memorial Park. Not the same as going I know, but you could see it at least. Just let me know, we will likely be going back in September sometime to visit my new great-nephew who is due to arrive over Labor Day weekend.

Would love to see some of your pics, www.photobucket.com is really easy to use, give them a try. Thanks again for the trip report!

 

[disneybound31]

Thanks so much for the information on Chapel in the Hills. Is that the one built in the same architecteral style as the Norwegian Stave church in Norway at Epcot? Either way, we'll definitely try to make time for it next year. Too bad you didn't get to the Berlin Wall exhibit, but from what I've read, there's so much to do in the Black Hills, you really have to plan to go back!

I guess I never observed Norway at Epcot closely enough during our trips... because I had no idea they had a Stave Church replica there! Oops!

I will have to look into that. We will be back in the World in April and plan to spend more time in Norway- breakfast at Akershus and now, checking out that church you've mentioned. If I can get on the ball I will post our pics of the church from SD.

Thanks for reading!

 

[disneybound31]

Thank you so much for your trip report! I really enjoyed it, seeing the Hills through your eyes.

If I remember the dates of your trip right I think you were at Chapel in the Hills on my brother's anniversary. He and his wife go there every year on that date and walk around, it has been 25 years since they were married there. I think it is so sweet that they return each year, just the two of them to remember their wedding day.

If you would like, I could get some pictures for you of Memorial Park. Not the same as going I know, but you could see it at least. Just let me know, we will likely be going back in September sometime to visit my new great-nephew who is due to arrive over Labor Day weekend.

Would love to see some of your pics, www.photobucket.com is really easy to use, give them a try. Thanks again for the trip report!

I would love to see some pics of Memorial Park. And I will try to figure out photobucket this week.

We were at the Chapel on the 22nd. How neat they were married there. We read something about the weddings they hold there and it made me think briefly about renewing our vows... had never thought we would care to renew them, but that chapel was magical! I can imagine your brother's wedding was beautiful.

Thanks for reading!

 

[Serena]

Thank you. I love hearing about different places and you were perfectly descriptive. I don't know if I will ever get there, but I am putting it on my list.

 

[Amy]

Thank you so much for your trip report! I've been following along, as this is a trip I'd love to make one day. Please try to post some photos - Photobucket is really easy to use (and it's free!). Many of us who "hang out" on the DIS photo board use Photobucket to post our photos, so if you're having any problems posting photos, you can always head over there to ask for help.

 

[SleepyMom]

I would love to see some pics of Memorial Park. And I will try to figure out photobucket this week.

We were at the Chapel on the 22nd. How neat they were married there. We read something about the weddings they hold there and it made me think briefly about renewing our vows... had never thought we would care to renew them, but that chapel was magical! I can imagine your brother's wedding was beautiful.

Thanks for reading!

Oops, I had the dates off, their anniversary was the 21st. I think the Chapel is pretty much the same as the one in Epcot at Norway, I should see if I have pics to compare.

I will get some pics when we go out next month for you. Thanks again for the wonderful trip report!

 

[SleepyMom]

I found some pics to compare, they look the same

Chapel in the Hills

Norway in Epcot

 

[disneybound31]

I found some pics to compare, they look the same

Chapel in the Hills

Norway in Epcot

Wow. Those are extremely similar. Thanks. We will enjoy seeing it in a few months.

 

[SleepyMom]

Finally getting around to adding those pics from Memorial Park, we didn't get out there until October (instead of September) so it has taken me a bit longer than planned.

The little lake area

Walking up to the Berlin Wall

Sections of the Berlin Wall

The plaques for the Berlin Wall

Tank traps

In Honor of 238 lives lost during the 1972 flood in Rapid City, there is a fountain behind it but since it was late in the year it was turned off and drained. There are also flower gardens surrounding it.

Another lake shot