After taking part in Independence Day festivities at Mount Rushmore National Memorial on July 3rd, the plan was to drive over 300 miles from Custer, South Dakota to Estes Park, Colorado in time to watch fireworks with the Rocky Mountains as a back drop. Before we could get underway though we needed to head back to Mount Rushmore to grab a few pictures we were unable to get the day before due to larger crowds. The main picture needed was the traditional family photo with the entrance sign for our scrapbook of Monopoly Travels. While in the area we decided to spend a few minutes driving by in a more relaxed matter to see this National Memorial in the daylight. The day before it was battle driving as the crowds converged on this place early in the morning. It was also nice to see things during daylight hours.
While spending about a half hour driving through the area we where able to stop at the entrance sign where a mountain goat entered the area allowing us to watch as it watched us back for a nice wildlife experience at Mt. Rushmore. The day was much nicer and dryer compared to the day before with the sun shining on this early summer day. We were quickly learning how to find each persons spot around National Parks entrances signs taking less time to capture our picture.
During this short time we took a slow drive past the carved stone making up the Presidential monument viewing it from the highway before continuing on down to Keystone, South Dakota to turn around. On the way back there was a different view of Mt. Rushmore for one last time before leaving South Dakota. Passing behind it I kept looking back to see what the stone on the backside was like wondering how it was shaped before being carved. It definitely didn’t appear as I had imagined. I expected it to be a large piece of solid stone but these were smaller stone with many scars and cracks making it look broken up enough that carving would be quite difficult. It is most likely more solid than it appears in order to be carved and stand many decades of freezing winters and hot summers.
With Mount Rushmore now in the rear view mirror we were officially on our way to new territories. Along the way we drove passed Crazy Horse Monument still being carved. It’s a larger carving then I would expect given the size of the carvings we’ve recently left. In what felt like no time at all we were entering Wyoming. Stopping for a picture next to this state sign, it felt good to be on our way west and entering a state we’ve not been to yet. Heading towards the Rocky Mountains was the portion of this adventure I was most anticipating and looking forward to. Some time in the mountains experiencing what effects the altitude would have on us in picturesque landscapes was exciting.
Shortly after getting into Wyoming we found a rest area with picnic tables for a stop to grill something to eat. Enjoying the warmth of summer while sharing stories of our time so far made for a fulfilling stop while gazing out over the prairies of Western United States during lunch. Once the grill was cool enough to pack back into the trunk of our car we settled in for a long drive south. Over the next couple of hours we watched the Prairies of Wyoming pass by, some passengers catching a nap along the way. Cheyenne, WY started to approach for our next opportunity to fill up with gas and allow each person to stretch their legs along with a restroom visit. The next stop would be Estes Park in Colorado.
A short time after entering Colorado we reached Loveland where we turned back west to begin our climb into the mountains. Meandering through Loveland we passed by people celebrating and claiming their spot to watch that nights fireworks reminding us that it was Independence Day. Continuing into the mountains the road began to climb higher and higher. At times a raging river followed this road adding to this mountain experience letting us see parts of the landscape we would experience in the coming days. It was all so beautiful going around every bend, climbing higher and higher. After continuously pressing the accelerator for the past half an hour we began to level out and entered Estes Park.
With beautiful mountains all around distracting my attention from the road we found our hotel and got checked in. Soon after dragging our belongings to our room I was back outside taking in the beautiful surroundings. It was nearing time to eat and pizza delivery was the choice for the evening. Now to relax from a day in the car and prepare for fireworks to mark the end of our journey on this Independence Day. Camping chairs were removed from the trunk of the car and set up in the hotel parking lot where we would eat dinner and enjoy exploding rockets set against a mountainous backdrop. The next day would mark our introduction to Rocky Mountain National Park.
