Friday, September 20, 2013

8/31/13 - Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore...

We were awakened at 3:45 a.m. to the lovely but deafening sound (insert sarcasm here) of a train traveling through town (Rapid City) which really sounded like it was in the next room!  Later, we realized that our hotel practically sits on the railroad tracks...brilliant, just brilliant and I forgot to pack our earplugs. :-)
Our tour package included breakfast (in the form of a buffet) each morning and several dinners which was nice so that was one less thing we had to think about.  We made our way through the buffet line and sat at a table with two retired couples (of course!) on separate tours and ironically both couples had done their life work in the psychology field - didn't stay long at their table in fear they'd start analyzing us!

We departed the hotel at 9:00 a.m. sharp.  Our bus driver, Dale, turned out to be a pretty nice guy - loading and unloading all the luggage at each new destination; driving tirelessly for hours on end while maneuvering that big honkin' bus in and out of traffic; through windy, switch-back roads snaking up and down some seriously tall mountains.  We have a new respect for most truck/bus drivers!

Our tour director, Mary, was a veteran - she had conducted tours ALL.OVER.THE.COUNTRY!  If we drove by it, she knew all about it and proceeded to share the history along the way.  What an amazing woman!  She rocked!  Funny thing, Mary had previously traveled through our little county.  In fact, she said that our local Wegman's was her favorite - how ironic!  Hopefully she's in the area one of these day so I can buy her lunch!

First stop: Crazy Horse Memorial

A little history as shared by Mary (paraphrased, of course)... In the 1920s when Mount Rushmore was under construction in the Black Hills of SD, the Sioux Indians became quite outraged since the very land used in for the project was land that they had been swindled out of by, none other than our government.

The Sioux wanted their own memorial of significance and since Crazy Horse was their hero, they settled on a Crazy Horse memorial.  Ironically, the sculptor entrusted to work on the project had actually worked on Mount Rushmore but was fired.

Blasting of the mountain began in the 1940s by this one and only man.  Eventually, over time, others came to help with the project that still remains unfinished to this day.  The private leaders of this project have rejected assistance by the government on many occasions.  It is completely funded by private donations and funds from the visitors center that was built on site to handle the outpouring of national public interest.

This project remains a family run operation to this day with the descendants of the original sculptor.

 When people lose their heros, 
they lose their dreams.  
When dreams are lost, 
life is no longer good.

Second Stop: Mount Rushmore

Of course EVERYONE has seen photos of Mount Rushmore at some point in their life but to see it in person was quite amazing! 

Sculpting of the faces of Mount Rushmore began in the 1920's in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  
{Reasons these presidents were chosen...paraphrased and plenty of details missing!}
Washington - founding father of our country.  
Jefferson - expanded the new world with the Louisana purchase which doubled our land size.
Roosevelt - some said he was a "friend" of the scupltor; instrumental in the purchase and development of the land at the Panama Canal which opened up free trade; big advocate for workers - his policies lead to worker rights.
Lincoln - united the country in a time of divide with the civil war.
This is the view opposite of Mount Rushmore...
 We had the opportunity to go back to Mount Rushmore for the night show that they offer.  The Park Ranger provided a history of the monument and at the end of the evening, she invited all the veterans (or surviving family member) up on the stage for the retirement of the flag ceremony in recognition of their service given for our freedoms.  One of the gentlemen participating in the lowering of the flag happened to be on our tour...THANKS ED!

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

8/30/13 - 20 Years and Counting...

Twenty years ago on this very date, September 18th, I married my best friend and "Love of a Lifetime" at a beautiful ceremony at the PA Grand Canyon.  I thank God each and every day that HE placed Bob in my life!


Back then, we were incredibly blessed to have honeymooned in Hawaii.  What an amazing dream come true for each of us!  Unfortunately as life happens, vacations sometimes take a backseat.  It's hard to imagine where the past 20 years have gone but looking back and considering the many medical obstacles we've gone through/overcome, it's no wonder that vacations weren't a priority.

About 3 years ago, Bob mentioned to me that he wanted to plan an "out west" trip for our 20th.  I appeased him (as any good wife would do) and said that if he'd make it happen, I'd go wherever he wanted to go - NEVER really thinking we'd actually go through with it!

When the time rolled around last September for us to actually meet with the travel agent and book the trip I have to admit, I was pretty shocked that Bob's "dream vacay out west" was on the verge of being realized! 

* * * * * * * * * * *

Fast forward to 8/30/138:00 a.m. departure out of Harrisburg International Airport (HIA), connecting through Chicago, IL to our final destination Rapid City, SD.

Over the course of our 15 day vacay we've jotted down notes and highlights and hope to share some of those memories here.  Today we start an adventure that will take us over 5000 miles, through at least 15 states (counting our flights) and encompass a 15 day vacation that has been a dream in the making for over 3 years!

2:30 a.m. - Let me just say, it should be illegal to get up at this hour in the morning! Even though you'd think we'd have plenty of time to finalize packing and get the car loaded, we scurried around trying to make sure we I didn't forget anything...
  • bags packed - check
  • personals packed - check
  • meds packed - check
  • wheelchair in the trunk - check
  • dog/house sitter in place - check
  • car packed - check
  • ON THE ROAD at 4:15 a.m. - check

Approximately 5 miles into the trip, something popped into my mind that we I forgot to grab!  Back to the house we went for the grab and go-all-important medication that I knew I'd need for the trip!

Finally, we arrived safe and sound for an early check-in at HIA! Upon arrival at the airport, Bob realized that he left home without our ca$h!  Thankfully, there was a MAC machine in the airport...saved the day!

As we approached the check-in counter, I prayed all the way that my bag (a.k.a. "the volkeswagon") would NOT be over the weight limit of 50 lbs.  My bag barely squeaked through weighing in at 50.3 lbs!!  Thankfully, we didn't have to pay the $100 over-size bag fee!!

We had an easy flight into O'Hara but practically had to run/wheel through the airport dodging people and luggage all the way across what felt like the entire airport!  We finally reached the gate and had to walk/wheel out onto the tarmac to catch our connecting flight to Rapid City (yeah, unfortunately, it was one of those puddle jumper-type planes)!

We arrived in Rapid City, SD and settled into our hotel room then decided to head out and check out the town.  As we were cruising around (I was cruising in my wheelchair - Bob was pushing me), we decided to grab a bite to eat a a local eatery, The Firehouse Brewery, in the outdoor seating BUT thankfully under the roof part of the seating area.
Part way through our meal, the sky opened up and DUMPED on the city and surrounding area!  The storm threw down some serious hail AND a tornado even passed through nearby!  We ended up staying at the restaurant for about an hour after we finished our meal because the weather was so horrible.  We shared "cover" with some wonderful folks, Paul and Rowena, who were in the states on holiday from Scotland. 
HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY: Sitting with our new friends chatting in complete amazement while watching the hail bounce off the roof of the building across the street - what a joyful way to begin our memory making journey!

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