The Black Hills Trip, Days 6,7 & 8
So my New Years pretty much sucked. Whether it's because of my diet or lack of exercise or job or a combo of everything, I pretty much am always sick. I'm used to it and just have to work around it. But whatever I caught this time dropped me like 3rd period French (i don't know where i heard that or what exactly it means so i'm very sorry if it's bad). The point is I was sick. I felt it on New Years Eve day when I checked my temperature at work and it was 101. That would have been a clue to most people to go home. But no I couldn't do that. I didn't want some poor guy to have to come in on the holiday and miss the chance to get sloppy drunk. What can I say? I'm a sweetheart. So I stayed at work and we ran a bunch of dumb calls and by the next morning (and after 4hrs of interrupted sleep) I was topped out at 103.1 and ready to fall over. The next four days are a long sob story of chills and aches and delirium and mucus the color of used motor oil that I won't bore you with. So long story short, I'm on antibiotics now and starting to feel better so thanks for asking. And now, without further adieu, let's get this blasted black hills trip over with...
The Black Hills Trip - The Final Days
So I got back to Denver in the evening and we went and got dinner at Illegal Pete's while Rose put the kids to bed. The next morning we would leave for the North Country once again. The good thing about my getting to explore the area first is that I was able to filter out the dumber stuff and get the fam straight to the good stuff, which of course is a huge priority when traveling with 4 very patient bundles of joy. It was also good because D & R are the kind of people that don't really mind not knowing exactly where they're going so I got to surprise them with stuff. I like surprising people. After a donut breakfast we hit the road. I went a little different path this time because there was a stop I wasn't able to hit the first time that I knew everyone would like... Carhenge! Basically a bunch of old American-made cars stuck in the ground to resemble Stonehenge in England. This place is in the middle of Nowhere, Nebraska and was without question one of the coldest stops we would make. All in all though, well worth the drive and definitely worthy of a revisit on some warmer day.
Inspired by the cars we got back on the road and continued on our way. I just realized we didn't really do anything else that day. Other than drive I mean. And stop at playgrounds. And McDonald's. You may be surprised to learn that traveling with 4 kids, as opposed to solo, is a little different. That night we stayed in Hot Springs, SD and prepared for the next big day. (I know there is probably stuff I'm leaving out but Rose already blogged on all this so why repeat it all? And I'm getting tired so I'm gonna' start speeding things up here)
The next day we awoke to clear skies and a bit warmer temps. We drove up through Custer for coffee then went for a "hike" around Sylvan Lake. A really pretty spot. That wore the kids out a little and we drove on to Mt. Rushmore. After a museum visit and a decent lunch we loaded up and continued up to spend the night in infamous Deadwood, SD.
Deadwood is a really touristy "Old West" town based on the popular HBO series and built entirely around a somewhat disturbing preoccupation with Wild Bill Hickock. It's also where gambling is legal so all the old buildings have been turned into Vegas style mini-casinos. It actually is a pretty cool town with alot of history and some really great buildings. We stayed at the Hampton Inn which was a very nice place and allowed the fam to get a larger suite. After the buffet we said good night and I took a walk downtown. One of the casinos has an exhibit with one of the real Magnum P.I. Ferraris and Herbie! Two of my favorite cars growing up. They also had a 007 Aston Martin, a Jeep from MASH and the sweet Trans Am from Smokey and the Bandit. And you can see it all for free! Definitely a trip highlight.
Ferrari 308
Herbie
So the next day was pretty much just a mad dash for home. No major stops. Very few pics. I can tell you though that there is not one freakin' Mcdonald's between Deadwood and Denver that has a playland. How stupid is that? We drove the whole 9 or so hours and Uncle Tim started to get a little cranky, but we made it back to Denver in one piece. The next morning I was at DIA by 7 and on my way home for a nap. All in all, it was a good trip and I'm grateful I got to see alot of new things. And, although they all had their moments, the kids really weren't that bad. Ok thanks, good night. (anti-climactic?)
The Black Hills Trip - The Final Days
So I got back to Denver in the evening and we went and got dinner at Illegal Pete's while Rose put the kids to bed. The next morning we would leave for the North Country once again. The good thing about my getting to explore the area first is that I was able to filter out the dumber stuff and get the fam straight to the good stuff, which of course is a huge priority when traveling with 4 very patient bundles of joy. It was also good because D & R are the kind of people that don't really mind not knowing exactly where they're going so I got to surprise them with stuff. I like surprising people. After a donut breakfast we hit the road. I went a little different path this time because there was a stop I wasn't able to hit the first time that I knew everyone would like... Carhenge! Basically a bunch of old American-made cars stuck in the ground to resemble Stonehenge in England. This place is in the middle of Nowhere, Nebraska and was without question one of the coldest stops we would make. All in all though, well worth the drive and definitely worthy of a revisit on some warmer day.
Inspired by the cars we got back on the road and continued on our way. I just realized we didn't really do anything else that day. Other than drive I mean. And stop at playgrounds. And McDonald's. You may be surprised to learn that traveling with 4 kids, as opposed to solo, is a little different. That night we stayed in Hot Springs, SD and prepared for the next big day. (I know there is probably stuff I'm leaving out but Rose already blogged on all this so why repeat it all? And I'm getting tired so I'm gonna' start speeding things up here)
The next day we awoke to clear skies and a bit warmer temps. We drove up through Custer for coffee then went for a "hike" around Sylvan Lake. A really pretty spot. That wore the kids out a little and we drove on to Mt. Rushmore. After a museum visit and a decent lunch we loaded up and continued up to spend the night in infamous Deadwood, SD.
Deadwood is a really touristy "Old West" town based on the popular HBO series and built entirely around a somewhat disturbing preoccupation with Wild Bill Hickock. It's also where gambling is legal so all the old buildings have been turned into Vegas style mini-casinos. It actually is a pretty cool town with alot of history and some really great buildings. We stayed at the Hampton Inn which was a very nice place and allowed the fam to get a larger suite. After the buffet we said good night and I took a walk downtown. One of the casinos has an exhibit with one of the real Magnum P.I. Ferraris and Herbie! Two of my favorite cars growing up. They also had a 007 Aston Martin, a Jeep from MASH and the sweet Trans Am from Smokey and the Bandit. And you can see it all for free! Definitely a trip highlight.
Ferrari 308
Herbie
So the next day was pretty much just a mad dash for home. No major stops. Very few pics. I can tell you though that there is not one freakin' Mcdonald's between Deadwood and Denver that has a playland. How stupid is that? We drove the whole 9 or so hours and Uncle Tim started to get a little cranky, but we made it back to Denver in one piece. The next morning I was at DIA by 7 and on my way home for a nap. All in all, it was a good trip and I'm grateful I got to see alot of new things. And, although they all had their moments, the kids really weren't that bad. Ok thanks, good night. (anti-climactic?)
posted by they call me... tim at 7:25 PM
2 Comments:
Tim, I love the way you write. I laughed out loud reading your last few posts. It's nice to see your pics of the trip and hear about it from your point of view. Sorry you were so sick and we didn't get to hang out any more...your party was great though -thanks again. Glad to hear you are feeling better. I'll be posting soon.
~Rose
What a bummer way to spend New Years...If it makes you feel any better I got sick the day after new year's with this whole sinus thing and ended up on antibiotics with an ear infection. I feel your pain. Anyways, we had a great time at the Starr party, sorry we couldn't stay longer. But a good time was had by all!
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