TWB July 14th 2018 Experience: Day 18-Custer, South Dakota and Mt. Rushmore

Day 18: Custer, South Dakota & Mt. Rushmore

Oh what a Happy day! We got to “sleep in” until 6:30 this morning, waking up well rested (some of us at least) once again in the fabulous Ponderosa Campground. Once we were up, we gathered our belongings, the girls rushed to the bathroom (as usual) while the boys took their sweet time. Some of us completed our jobs, which included packing the bus and cleaning the campsite. After everyone was ready to go, we loaded into our vehicles for the day and started our journey to Custer, South Dakota.

In the early hours of our adventure, we were served gourmet Great Value pop-tarts with flavors including: brown sugar cinnamon, blueberry, strawberry, cookies & crème, s’mores, and chocolate fudge with a side of clementines. Shortly thereafter, those riding on Carolina Girl were awoken by their tire rolling down a ditch into the middle of nowhere. Half an hour later, the tire was exchanged with a spare with help from Harrison Parrott, Cowboy John Miller, Matt Gardner, Daniel Calhoun, and Joseph Hamilton. We then loaded back up for our drive to the first rest stop of the day. A lunch of ham and cheese sandwiches on whole wheat bread with chips and cookies was served after returning. Our next stop was Wally World in Gillette, Wyoming, where the cooks got groceries for our dinner. A few tried to check out the blog through the computers in Walmart, but were interrupted by the “lovely” Linda, who was jealous of our awesome blog and requested we get off.

Many different activities kept us entertained on the bus and vans, such as: singing, sleeping, bracelet/keychain making, cards, brain games, and hair braiding. Our boys looked very pretty as they stepped off the bus with freshly braided locks. While the cooks prepared our dinner at a park in Custer, groups separated to prepare for our dance competition to the song “Thunder” by Imagine Dragons.

We enjoyed a wonderful dinner prepared by the Sleepies consisting of hamburgers, mashed potatoes, green beans, and cookies with raspberry lemonade to drink. The vehicles were all loaded up to head to Mt. Rushmore when we found out that Carolina Girl was missing her keys. Many helped to find the missing key including Genevieve Fortier, Dallas Cobb and coming to the rescue once again, Eagle Scout, Harrison Parrott, went dumpster diving to find them at the bottom of our trash. Shortly after our Easter egg hunt, we dropped off the trailers at the YMCA in Custer, South Dakota to easily maneuver to Mt. Rushmore. As we reached the gate of Mt. Rushmore, we spotted a wild billy goat munching on some clover and then strutted across the street. Entering the monument, we rushed in for a group picture in front of all the state flags with our founding fathers in the background. We then had free time to venture off to eat delicious ice cream and shop for souvenirs before we sat down to enjoy the illumination presentation of the amazing monument.

The presentation began with Mrs. Park Ranger giving an inspirational speech on the background of Mt. Rushmore. A video was played explaining the influential men whose efforts provided us the liberty we have today. Finally, the grand illumination took place under the starry sky with Mars in sight. To conclude the presentation, we all honored the veterans present as well as our very own Joseph Hamilton while they lowered the flag in the amphitheater. SOUND OFF! SEMPER FI HOORAH!!! Concluding our excursion, we raced back to the vehicles to see which group could all arrive first to the vehicles to settle down at the cozy YMCA.

As we unpacked in our home for the night, Nadia Constantino and Rachel Sealy presented to us in a battle of information on Mt. Rushmore. Following the duo, Ben Killian gave us fun facts on Custer, South Dakota. One of our Happys, Hannah Uglehus, informed us on the great state of South Dakota. We also caught up from past days research. Aiden Spelbring talked about the Shoshone River. Dallas Cobb spoke upon Salt Lake City, Utah. Alex Slaughter gave us her research on the Great Salt Lake. Cody Ballard ironically presented about Cody, Wyoming. Garrett Duque talked about the Cody Nite Rodeo. Lastly, Vanessa Posada finished up our research with the Mormons of Salt Lake City.