Day 18: Mount Rushmore
Happies here again, Jaclyn, Carson, MJ, Sam, Madison, Ellie, Harrison, Annaliese, Sarah, Jake, and Hayden!! Today we had another later start, waking up at 7:15, HUZZAHH!!! It was a very scenic drive this morning as we made our way from Wyoming to South Dakota, seeing the beautiful Shell Canyon with the shell river running right through the middle of it!
Breakfast was delicious bagels w/ cream cheese and bananas. One of our first stops of the morning was a Walmart in Gilette, Wyoming. While our Sleepy cooks shopped for our next meals, other participants explored the large Walmart, and some even meeting some interesting people. Anna, our designated “jack rabbit” is known for making unique noises at other participants, as well as in unison with Ms. Beautiful. While at the Wyoming merchandise section, a woman named Molly struck up a conversation as to how she knew the taxidermist who was the creator of the jackalope- a jack rabbit with horns attached to its head!
One of our favorite stops of the day was the Taj Mahal of all bus stops, a “Common Cents”, which was super fancy compared to the regular “Flying J’s”. Some of us enjoyed ice cream samples (which we were limited to one per person), and gas station pizza. After this stop we had lunch which everyone loved, chicken Caesar wraps with chips and gummies!!
Later arriving at a park in downtown Custer, South Dakota we got the chance to practice our dances to “Danger Zone” from Top Gun for tomorrow’s competition, which Sam absolutely LOVED!!! We also could see our fabulous home for the night from across the way which is the largest exterior supported log cabin in the United States! It was dedicated by Mrs. Coolidge, wife to President Coolidge! For dinner, the cooks made an interesting meal of Hamburger Helper, with vegetables, and brownies (the best part of the meal). After eating, we headed towards Mt. Rushmore, where most of us enjoyed the famous ice cream, shopped, took many pictures, and saw the monument as the sun went down. The bus ride back to the gym where we would be sleeping, was filled with singing and dancing. Only 5 more nights left :(
Night y’all!!! Tomorrow we will be heading to Colorado to see the Air Force Academy, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, and Colorado College- our home for the night!
The Beautiful Shell Canyon!
