Keystone,SD

WOO HOO a day off and we get to go out and sight see and I am so excited and happy. The best part of this job is they give you a card called VIP (visitor industry partners) they want you to explore and promote the Black Hills this card will save so much money on all the attractions most of the things are free or really at a reduced rate!!!! Our goal is to do everything on this list with the exceptions on the other campgrounds and hotels that we do not need.


Mount Rushmore first thing on the list something that Todd and I will see for the first thing together. If you go to Mount Rushmore it is $11.00 to park which is not bad but since we have our VIP card we go in free. Walking up to Mount Rushmore and it does not seem that big I guess seeing it in all the movies was a different feeling then seeing it in person. It is amazing to see all the carving work and to read how long it took to complete it. While there you should do the guided audio tour it is very informative. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes there is a very nice walking trail called the presidential trail A LOT OF STAIRS but it is a very nice walk and you kind of get up close and personal with the presidents. It is not a good trail to take strollers on or wheels chairs. Make sure when you are there you check out all the flags of the 50 states as you are walking up to Mount Rushmore We took pictures of our state flags while we were there.Pictures below are our day at Mount Rushmore make sure you pick up a souvenir at the gift shop to remember your times there




Rushmore Cave http://www.rushmorecave.com/ second thing on the list of places to see today. It is not just a cave they have a Zip-line, nothing to big but fun to ride and give you a small rush and we got a sticker saying we rode the zip-line that will go great with our collection of stickers,pins and magnets. 7-D gunslinger now this was a great time. 3 different games and it is a motion simulator basically a interactive 3D ride very cool for all ages we also got a sticker from there as well. Then the cave it was very fun and beautiful. Make sure you wear sneakers and bring a jacket with you the cave naturally stays between 42-47 degrees no matter how hot it is outside. Not very strenuous walk there are some steps and some uneven walking surfaces and the tour takes about and hour. The tours guides are great very informative makes me wonder how to retain all the knowledge of the cave lol. I have posted some pictures below some make be dark remember we were in a cave LOL....Tired from the walk we take a few minutes to sit and take in all the beauty around us. then off we go to our last place to see of the day....


Big Thunder Gold Mine http://www.bigthundermine.com/ very cool place and fun for all ages you get to take a tour of the old gold mine and learn about how it was blasted out and made. Our tour guide tho did not make us feel like we were even part of the tour. There was one child there and that was the only person he focused on so we were not that pleased with the tour. He was very informative but he needed to include everyone not just one person or family. Our tour included free gold panning we were both really excited about this since we watch all those gold shows on TV lol... Panning for gold hmmm I am not very good at it i think all my gold was washed out of the pan because I did not get the hang of it lol..Todd on the other hand caught on very quickly and found a few flakes of gold very awesome. After he found his he came to my pan and helped me find some gold. We did get to bring the gold home in our little glass jars WE ARE RICH!!!! NOT but maybe one day :-)

All the things we did today in the area of Keystone,SD were free thanks to our wonderful VIP card that you only get if you are working in the area. On a bad note due to the internet connections where I am located I will not be able to post pictures until I get to a good internet connection and that may not be until we head to the sugar beet harvest :-( But this pictures are worth it when i do post them :-)