Finishing Up Our Seattle Vacation

Okay it was another cold night but not as bad as the first. We changed up our tent before bed and got rid of the mini tents off each side so we were all packed into the big one. More body heat and hopefully a better night sleep.  It was better then previous night.  But we decided to pack up our site and slowly head back to back to MN and make some pit stops along the way. They all agreed on the plan. Man I took us some time to clean out the van and re set it up for the journey home. I like the van clean and organized which is hard when the third row gets super messy by kids throwing there stuff everywhere. We stopped by the beach and said good bye and collected a few more rocks before we left.

lavender farm

lake cresent. Super beautiful lake to drive around and if we ever came back to this area I would stay around this lake it would be a fun place to stay in a cabin.

We didn't make it to the ferry till after lunch which was later then I hoped. We got stuck in rush hour traffic leaving Seattle which was not so fun.  Our goal was to make it to Spokane for the night.

We woke up and grabbed some Krispie Creme donuts and got Kate a gf breakfast else where and we were back on the road again.

Leaving this morning there was a beautiful fog around the mountains as we left Washington and entered into Idaho.

We stayed the night in Gillette wy . I would say the way home was not as fun as the way there. The kids were more patient and less whiney on the way out then the way home. Which is normal but we had to make some change up along the way like Scot and I would take turns driving and then one of us will sit in the back with Kate. Split the girls up once in awhile was good.

We were not to far from Mount Rushmore which was the plan. That we can get to the park before the major crowds rolled in and the weather was hot. It was perfect timing. I think Scott and I were more excited about seeing this then they are. But we remember doing this as a kid and we felt the same as they did. I don't think you fully enjoy things as a kid or you take them for granted. Needless to say we enjoyed our time there.

gift store purchase 

gift store purchase

After looking around and walking the paths we headed back to the car again for a picnic. Lets just say having a fully packed cooler is the best and most efficient way to travel on a budget with kids. Plus we have gf options at all times. Scott and I were seeing cars coming through this cave like thing across the way and were wondering what that was and if we can drive on it too. So we started driving out of the parking lot and down a road and came across a camp ground and talked to the lady and found out what it was and how to do it. Yep we asked for help! 

It was Cluster State Park and it was a windy road that you can't travel faster then 20 mph and that was pushing it and it goes up to over look mount rushmore and into woods. It was fun. Scott and I were like look you can see down 4 roads over the side of this little road, and there were a few tunnels that only fit one car at a time. It was awesome. We saw a baby deer in a field all by itself and then we saw a mama deer and baby deer right next to the road. So cool

We spent more time at this area then we thought we were going to but we enjoyed it. We were now heading to Ellsworth Air base to see airplanes.

By this time it was around 3 and Scott insisted we go to the corn palace before we get to a hotel tonight. 

I asked them if they think it's awesome or NOT???? I guess I was out voted... But what kid doesn't like a giant gift store for there parents to spend money on?

We added a sticker of each place we went to along the way on our roof carrier.

By this time the kids were starving and we had to game plan a idea. We wanted a cheap eat out meal so we got pizza for us and Kate got Culver's and we ate as we drove to Sioux Falls  for the night. 

Lets say this was the worst driving day ever. We did to much in one day and Scott drove most of the day so he was exhausted so I took over but I have terrible night driving skills and then it rained so yay to bad odds on my side but we made it to the hotel around 9:30-10. Which was the latest time we have ever got into for the night. We tried to get in around 7-8 so they can swim and wind down before bed. This hotel was also the noises and busiest one we stayed in because some team from MN was there the storm or something like that was staying in the hotel. 

We slept in later then we have most days and then hit the road after a quick cereal breakfast in the room. That was a easy quick way to feed the kids while traveling I found. We only had a 4.5 hour drive home and should be home by lunch time was the plan. Well the kids woke up on the wrong side of the bed and we had to stop multiple times for melt downs or potty breaks. Its funny when your so close to being home is the time it takes you the longest to get there. We ended up stopping at Emma Krumbles for treats to give people who helped us go on vacation and then we stopped at Corborns for a deli lunch and then we busted our way home from there.

We unpacked the van and cleaned it out and checked out our gardens and the house to make sure it was all okay before we loaded back up in the van to head to Mora to get our dog Rosie from Anna's house. Lets just say we crashed by 8 and enjoyed our own beds that night. 

This was a amazing trip that we have wanted to go on for the longest time. It's fun being able to show the kids different parts of the US and how different areas look and how they grow, and see all the crazy things each state has to offer. We now need to see the east coast and then we have made it to all 4 corners. Our van was so comfy to ride in and held everything we needed, it made road tripping a breeze.  Time to plan the next family trip!