Keystone, South Dakota

With Mt. Rushmore checked off our bucket lists, we still had most of the day left to explore the area.  On our drive in, we passed through the town of Keystone, which seemed full of ways to part tourists from their money.  Um, I mean, full of things to see and do!  

First, we rode a chair lift up a mountain and took the mountain coaster down.  

Here you can see the track of the mountain coaster. It was fun.

At this point we were STARVING, but all the restaurants opened at 11 and it was still only about 10:45.  So we killed a little time walking down their wild-west inspired boardwalk.  

Look at that smile.

Wow, he isn't waving an imaginary lasso.

​Finally it was time for lunch in the Old Timey Saloon!  The kids got their first taste of sarsaparilla, just like the pioneers drank.  ;)

Our next activity was visiting an actual gold mine from the 1800s, which included panning for gold (again).  When we told the kids this, Ryan said, "I made a wish that we could look for gold again!  Thank you for making my wish come true!!"  He was so excited, Rob and I really felt like rockstar parents!  

Helmets for safety!

Big thunder gold mine? What an awesome name.

Here you can see the original mine walls and the modern reinforcements.

They used this drill to make holes for the dynamite which was used to blast the rocks.

We went really far into the mountain.

When we got to the deepest part of the mine, our tour guide turned off all the lights and flicked open a lighter, showing us how dark the working conditions were in a mine.

After we left the mine, we went into a building and learned how the gold was sorted from all the sludge. They used mercury, which is what caused "gold fever."

Our little miners looking for treasures. Apparently they were also deputized.

After mining, we returned to the camper and I made dinner.  Then we went into Rapid City for ice cream and it started to pour.  The kids and I passed the time in a toy store while Rob went to check in a beer. 

Ryan is serious about ice cream.

Blue mustache! If I look tired, its because I was.

Mommy! Take my picture with this giant Playmobil Princess!!

Look at that vacation beard! That's a pilot who hasn't flown in two weeks.

And that was the end of the longest vacation day ever!  Mt Rushmore in the morning, Keystone in the afternoon, and Rapid City for dessert.  Up next? We pull up chocks and head out for some free ice water!