Is it Friday Already?

I cannot believe today is Friday; I keep double-checking to be sure since it doesn't seem possible.

Wednesday we visited Mt. Rushmore first thing in the morning and it was amazing. The visitor's center is so informative and well put together. We watched a short narrative about how the project came to be along with the processes, etc. It was breathtaking to sit and ponder.

From there we traveled through the backroads of the Black Hills over to the Crazy Horse monument; equally breathtaking and awe-inspiring, and massive. We were scheduled to go up closer and perhaps go out on the arm, however, the threat of lightening canceled all such plans.

We spent a great deal of time in the visitor's center, cultural center, artist studio and home. The boys spent their entire saved allowances, plus more money from mom, on the artwork for sale by Native Americans in the cultural center.

On our way back to the car, Doug told me to look up to see the bald eagle circling over my head. It was a beautiful sight. Prior to this trip, I don't believe I have ever seen an eagle in the wild. Doug repeatedly tells me I have, but I can say I have not ever seen a BALD eagle. And the other eagles he says I've seen, I wasn't one hundred percent certain of.

Now there is no question. I have seen at least two on this trip and many golden eagles as well. It was one of those things I wanted to do, or see, before I die, so another thing to cross of the list.

After leaving Crazy Horse, we traveled once again through the back roads toward Mt. Rushmore. Doug had read about another place to view Mt. Rushmore from the top of Iron Mountain Road. It was an amazing drive through the forest with corkscrew turns like none he or I have ever seen before. Along the way there are several single-lane tunnels and beautiful old bridges. We found the two viewing areas Doug read about and decided against trying to make our way up this highway to view the July 3rd fireworks as it is treacherous enough in daylight, far too dangerous at night.

From there we made our way back to the hotel so the boys could play once again in the waterpark before dinner.

Yesterday we decided to leave Rapid City a day early and head instead to Hot Springs ahead of schedule. We called and were able to make the changes we wanted to and headed out for the day.

We drove past Mt. Rushmore a final time to Lake Sylvan, where we stopped for a few hours of hiking and relaxation. Lake Sylvan is a beautiful spot and a highlight of the trip as a whole.

Our next stop was Custer, one of the more gentrified towns we have visited on this trip. Our guess is the wealthier visitors to Sturgis each summer actually stay, and shop, in Custer. There were several lovely cafes and galleries to wander through.

The last stop for the day was Hot Springs, where we are spending two nights. The River Rock Resort and Spa is a lovely place to stay. The staff appears to wear many hats, from checking us in, to booking the spa package, playing the piano in the lobby and waiting on us at dinner.

We went out exploring the town late yesterday afternoon and got the boys an early supper. Doug and I took a little nap while the boys watched cartoons and then went downstairs for dinner.

The restaurant downstairs is the Blue Vervain, one that moved from Manitou Springs up here a year ago. We knew of the Blue Vervain, but hadn't had an opportunity to eat there before it closed and thus were quite delighted to learn of the relocation. We trusted the boys to behave and let them know we were simply downstairs if they needed us.

Doug and I have not had a quiet romantic dinner in months and we enjoyed the time immensely. We ordered a bottle of wine and took our time, talking with the waiter/piano player/front desk clerk about wine and food. Dinner was as perfectly prepared as I anticipated it would be and was such a treat. I started with a shrimp ceviche and Doug had a thai gazpacho which he said was much too spicy for me to even think about trying. I had seared scallops as an entree and Doug had a thai peanut salad. Both outstanding. We decided to be bold and try the chocolate beet torte with beet sorbet for dessert. Far too eclectic for us to serve at the wine bar, but a fun experiment for us to try for ourselves. It was unique, particularly the sorbet, good but only for a bite or two, then too overpowering.

I slept so soundly last night.

This morning the boys were up EARLY in anticipation of their visit to the Evans Plunge. Doug is spending the day there with them followed by a visit to the Mammoth dig site. We found a local bakery/cafe for breakfast and then parted ways for the day.

This morning I had a massage followed by a raindrop therapy treatment during which nine essential oils were "dropped" on my spine and feet and then rubbed into my muscles. I smell like an herb store, but feel amazing.

This afternoon I have a facial scheduled along with visits to the dry sauna, sand and granite rooms. The sand room is a warm room where sand covers the floor topped with cloth. Large pillows are scattered throughout the room and you simply lay on the floor as you would at the beach. VERY relaxing. The granite room is similar, with a warm floor on which you lay and relax. Two things I've never seen before, but find interesting, and of course, relaxing.

My two hour break is the perfect length to update the blog, do some reading and perhaps take a nap.

We haven't yet decided where we will spend the fourth. It doesn't really matter to me, anywhere we find on the way home is fine. July 4th was my grandmother's birthday. It was always such a fun day when I was growing up, often the day we had our annual family reunion.

Hence, anyplace we are other than Ostrander Road always seems foreign to me, so each year is simply a new experience and not one where we try to create any traditions necessarily. Often we don't see fireworks at all, so it isn't something the boys are disappointed about.

One year, Doug took me to Vancouver and Victoria over the fourth. We always laugh about him asking what kind of events were planned for the holiday and the hotel clerk reminding him we were in Canada.