Devil's Tower and Mt. Rushmore

 It was just barely  beyond dark when we arrived at our KOA last night. Trailer setup was started, and the "yeet* line" moved the tent, cots, sleeping  bags, and suitcases to the van. The American  Heritage  Girls  team (Nickole, Kimber, and Dakota) has been trying to break their own record on tent set up and take downs. Last night, it was an after dark set up... in under 8 minutes.  O. ..ur neighbors remarked this morning on the speed in which the girls set the tent up... IN THE DARK!

The "yeet line" unloaded the van and set up cots and sleeping bags, while the trailer crew leveled the trailer, connected power, water, sewer; and made supper. ( Chili).

We slept in this morning.  Strong storms were expected  tonight, so we rented a KOA Kabin and took down the tent. Cabin check in is later in the day... so the AHG girls took down the tent  and the yeet line loaded the baggage into the van, then into the camper.  The neighbors  timed us and cheered. 

Once breakfast was eaten, we admired Devil's  Tower. Our strict student (Jasher) read about all of the history, and watched a climbing  video. ( yes, people climb  Devil's Tower). (Rules apply... who the heck knew you cannot take any wheeled vehicle including motorcycles & bicycles... nor camp stoves, nor may one camp on Devil's Tower! Rules made due to these things occurring.)

Most of us having no personal desire to climb, camp, nor motorcycle Devil's  tower... we were soon headed east to Mt. Rushmore. The children  were certain  that today  was the day that we would  at last starve them to death complained approximately  every 2.6 minutes about their  lack of comestibles.   We didn't  have a plan in place, thinking maybe to eat at the restaurant at Crazy Horse later. The distance+ sightseeing  time x  whining = feeding them before Mt. Rushmore.  Becky said she didn't  care where. Part of our Coddiwomple creed was to avoid chain restaurants  we could eat at home. I saw a sign for Himalayan Road Buffet... and we pulled in. What redneck humor could resist eating something  we found "him a layin' in  the road"? 

It was Indian food. Among us, only Ruby had ever had Indian food. I had made boxed Tikka Masala from Aldi. I have eaten my son Stephen's  curry. But never authentic Indian food in a restaurant. The waiter smirked when "hot" / spicy requests were made where there was a choice. These folks are from TEXAS! I don't  know if they discounted the "hot" requests  or not... but the kids that ordered  hot found it mildly spicy. The one who ordered  medium said it was decidedly  bland. As it was my first Indian Cuisine, I found it delicious!

The kids had fun at Mt. Rushmore.  We saw Crazy Horse from afar... the price pet person entry fee was steep. Kids were tired... maybe another  time.

It was / is pouring  rain as we  returned to camp. Supper of leftover chili... or pizza.. or Indian food. Then... depending on whether the person was usually  camper or tent... we dispersed to the cabin or trailer. 

* The kids decided that the " bucket brigade" of loading/ unloading  is  a  " yeet  line".

We have had so many  nice compliments on how well behaved our kids are. 💖 

The tent neighbor  this morning  said they had shooed  a bear away from their vehicle the night before  we arrived! Glad to NOT be in a tent tonight in the rain... with wandering  beats visiting!