Arches!

We left early this morning for our longest drive of the trip- over 7 hours.  We drove through all of Colorado. I have no idea why we didn’t stop here- it was beautiful.  My only thought was that by this point of the trip planning I was over it.  We finally made it to Arches and decided to go exploring before we set up out tent.  It was late afternoon (5ish) and still 98 degrees. Quite a change from 28 at Yellowstone.   We started at Balance Rock.

making silly faces

Katie and Daddy balancing rocks too

Then we headed over to the Windows sections for another little hike.  North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch

The SouthWindow

These Arches are huge

see Katie and me under the arch next to the tree?

Dan and Katie

The North Window

Dan and Katie are under there somewhere

The Turret Arch

both Windows

After that we walked a short ways to the double arch.  I was hurting by this point, but it looked cool and I figured I might not be there again anytime soon.  

The Double Arch

Cheyenne, Wyoming

We had to get our state signs from Wyoming and South Dakota on this leg of the trip since Katie was awake.  She loves to fall asleep just as we get somewhere new.

Katie was so excited to get to Wyoming and see her Great-Grandparents and her cousins and Aunt and Uncle.  We went to the Children’s botanical garden

Mount Rushmore and More!

This morning we headed over to Mount Rushmore.  This was the first place I felt totally out of place.  We are on a limited shower schedule and everyone there seemed so clean.  I loved it though.  Katie did the Junior Ranger program here too and they quizzed her afterwards. Good thing I don’t have a shy kid.  She answered all of their questions.

My face should be up there too!

After Rushmore we decided to have a chill afternoon and do some Katie centered activities. We went down to Sylvan Lake where we were camping and rented a paddle boat and then went for a little hike. 

paddling around Sylvan Lake

We never let our kid nap.  That's why she's always looking tuckered

Katie decided to go rock climbing

maybe a future for her

big hikers!

rewarded with a view

That night we experienced the most intense thunder and lightning storm!  Our car and tent were shaking from the thunder and it was literally non-stop thunder and flashes.  I was petrified of sleeping on the muddy hill surrounded by trees dying from beetles.