We arrived at the Holiday Inn Express in Grand Island, Nebraska
Gathering for breakfast before our next leg of the trip - to Rapid City, South Dakota
Mel discussing road options with this truck driver
Choices, Choices, Choices!
Looks as though we made our choices
After a delicious filling breakfast we were ready to begin the next segment of our trip - Destination Rapid City, South Dakota.
OnStar
Using OnStar we wanted to find Highway 2 for the scenic route from Nebraska to South Dakota. They told us we needed to "refresh". We pulled off on the side of the road and followed instructions given and sure enough, we were "refreshed"!
OnStar was used numerous times for finding locations, roads, etc. When we would stop for lunch, restroom breaks, etc. it would tell us we had "left the planned route". A few times when we would push the button to use OnStar, we would get "all agents are busy at this time". We begin to think the advisers were flipping coins to see which one would get us! Another funny story for our trip!
A service station we stopped at in Dunning, Nebraska
The guys enjoyed visiting with the owner
They had several pottery items made from the sand in Nebraska
Along our route, we encountered a cattle drive. The ranchers were taking the cattle from one pasture across the road to another pasture. It was all Mel could do not to get out and help. He did yell, 'Yaahaaa!' (Spell check does not recognize this name. Only cattle people would!)
We were told this river that was parallel the highway was spring fed.
The landscape was beginning to change from grassland to more mountainous.
Time for a fill-up
This 1880 Town along I-90 seemed to be a good choice for lunch.
Time for a group picture
The restaurant was in a train. Several cars served as the dining rooms.
The long hallway to where we ordered our food.
Where does the long hallway end???
Mel looking at the menu - the special of the day was taco salad with dessert which was strawberry crisp. All of us had the salad except Mel who had a hamburger.
Time for Joe and Margaret to order
Jerry's turn
Waiting for our food
South Dakota
Scenery in South Dakota
We stopped at the Tourist Center in South Dakota
All 5 of us
We arrived at the Holiday Inn Express in Rapid City, South Dakota - time to check-in.
Mel spun and won a free appetizer. The lady was gracious enough to give us a free dessert coupon too.
Jerry's turn - he received the same thing.
Now Joe's spin - he, too, received the same.
Forgetting the Swimming Suits
We had forgotten our swimming suits. Since the hotels and cabin had hot tubs, we to purchase one. I called Target and Walmart. Neither had any suits because they were closing out for fall. Next choice was to buy knit shorts to substitute for suits. We went to Walmart and found the men's shorts easily. Jerry got his and I got some for Mel. Off to the women's section for my shorts. Jerry and I both searched and searched. The only knit shorts there were so short and definitely not what I had in mind. Jerry suggested that I look in the men's section. Great idea, Jerry! I did find some that would work.
Our Freebies
The appetizer and dessert was our meal for the evening.
Dessert selections were pie, flaming flan and a few other choices. The Sledds and Bradfords had apple pie a la mode. Jerry decided to be brave and try the flaming flan.
The waitress cooked the butter, brown sugar and nuts together until they caramelized, then she added
rum. It flamed up then cooked down. She then put it over scoops of ice cream.
Of course, we all had to sample Jerry's dessert. YUM! Delicious!
Mel digging into our apple pie a la mode
Margaret and Joe enjoying their apple pie a la mode!
Mt. Rushmore
After our "meal" we headed to Mt. Rushmore. We wanted to see the lighting ceremony that evening.
Park fee entrance was $11 per car and is good for one year - very reasonable.
What a program they have! A park ranger talked, then we watched a short film which gave a short history of our country, why the 4 Presidents were chosen, patriotism, and other information, The National Anthem was played and the culmination was the turning on of the lights for Mt. Rushmore - so touching and gorgeous! At the end, they had the veterans and current military personnel to come down on stage. Each told his/her name, state and branch of service. So neat that they honor the ones who have served and are now serving our country so we can enjoy the freedoms we have!
Walking to Mt. Rushmore
The flags of the states line the path to the amphitheater area
Joe, Margaret, Jerry and myself with flags and Mt. Rushmore in the background
A bust of the man who began and worked on Mt. Rushmore - Gutzon Borglum
Admiring Mt. Rushmore
Seated, waiting for the program to begin
The veterans and current service members on stage
The park ranger holding the microphone while Joe and Mel tell their name, home state, rank and branch of service
Our 2 veterans of whom we are very proud - Joe and Mel
Simply Beautiful!!!
Many were waiting for the elevator so we decided to get our exercise and walk up the stairs! Needless to say it was a good work-out!
Back to the hotel for the night before our journey tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment