Today was a WOW kind of day! There just aren’t too many other words to describe it. I told Tyler, “If I had a dollar for every time I said, this is so cool!” I would be rich. So, while I did not make any financial gain off of that statement, I feel like the wealthiest woman alive!
We started our morning out earlier than normal. The time here sits an hour ahead of PST, and I think Tyler was anxious to make sure he was set up properly to begin working remotely again. We were out of our Harvest Host before 6:30 am and traveling toward the little town of Hill City, SD to find a suitable place to park for a few hours before our intended check-in at Kemps Kamp in Keystone, SD.
The morning heat came blazing down on us in the small parking lot we chose and after getting situated, the kids crawled back into their bunks, and Tyler and I walked to the cutest little coffee shop, Cream, for some fresh air and a little pick me up!
After a little more than an hour of remote work from the trailer, Tyler moved to a little park pavilion across the way where he could cool off. The kids got up and started their morning school routine, but it wasn’t long before we packed up to head for our new campsite where they would all resume work/school responsibilities.
Our set up and take down is getting a little easier every day. Together, Tyler and I are becoming more efficient which helps ease the tension. Sometimes I have to remind Tyler to “sit still, look pretty!” as he begins to micromanage my every move, especially my driving. It’s my friendly reminder that I am confident and have been in the driver’s seat for the entirety of our now more than 1,300 miles, I’ve got this!
Yesterday, I promised a funny story of what eventually swayed Tyler into buying a new travel trailer against his wishes…so here goes! Tyler and the kids love a good bet or bribe. He will bribe the kids to go to the store for a 5 and 5, which basically means a foot massage, 5 minutes on each side. On this particular day, a day or two after looking at the used trailer Ashton asked his dad if we were going to get a trailer and go on a road trip. Tyler told him no and Ashton began talking about our original conversations of going to South Dakota to see Mt. Rushmore. Tyler took this opportunity to quiz Ashton, banking that his lack of historical knowledge would not set him out anything. He told Ashton that if he could name the 4 presidents’ faces on the monument, we could get the trailer. I sat at the table thinking, there is no way in heck Ashton will pull through with this one. Slowly Ashton begins naming presidents and one by one he is right. HE NAMED ALL FOUR PRESIDENTS! I was extremely proud and equally surprised, as was Tyler.
So now we are the proud owners of a travel trailer, all because of Ashton! At least that is what he likes to think and will remind us often of that victory. Tyler and I are sitting outside of the trailer under the stars at a little picnic table. We can hear the water from the creek that passes through our campsite. As I work on the blog, he is working from his iPad. The kids are asleep after another wonderful day.
We made it to see Mt. Rushmore today. We waited much of the day for Tyler to be finished with work, and it was worth the wait. Never in my life could I have envisioned something this amazing. The details that went into this monument are incredible to say the very least. The park itself is free, however, they charge $10 for parking. When we left, I felt like we had robbed the place. The memories and photographs we will have from there will last a lifetime and now I wonder just how many other places in the US I have never seen that I should.
The 250 stairs leading up to the monument built quite the appetite for us and we were quick to stop and get some ingredients to make mac n cheese-stuffed burgers on the Traeger. After enjoying a family meal, we worked out. As I was completing 4 of the 5 rounds, I noticed two deer on the hillside in front of me. I was breathing heavily and sweating profusely but being surrounded by the most beautiful nature made it quite pleasant.
South Dakota has surpassed my expectations thus far and there is so much more for us to see!
Cream. Hill City, SD 
Hill City, SD 
Tyler’s “Office” 
Addi enjoying the pool at Kemps Kamp 
Tyler’s Mobile Office 
Photo taken from small cave created in the making of Mt. Rushmore when dynamite blew debris to this location. 
Tyler + Traeger = BOMB.com
The Church Hideout 