By Friday at 4 am, I had been up almost 24 full hours. For the past year, I have had trouble sleeping longer than 3-4 hours in any one setting, which I have used to my advantage to be more productive at home. Cleaning, laundry, baking, you name it, I use the crazy hours between 1:30 am and 4:30 or 5 am wisely. So for me to stay awake that many hours in one setting was a something I haven’t done in awhile, but even after that I found myself wide awake again just 5 short hours later.
We drove through Spearfish Canyon, spent time with Matt’s family, and attended the children’s community theatre performance of The Little Mermaid, that Matt’s aunt directed. A fun street festival was going on before and after the performance, so we spent some time there. We ventured upon a fantastic little pizza place in town and sat outside enjoying the peaceful and quiet lifestyle this small town offers. Pretty lazy day, just trying to recoup from the excruciating drive up the Midwest in the oh so hot car.
We tried to get to bed early (12:30 am) Friday evening, as Matt and I were going to the Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore (to get the up close view). Back up at 4 am to head towards the Badlands, but it was great being there so early. Saturday afternoon and evening were spent with family, and more down time.
Sunday morning breakfast with the gang before everyone started heading back their ways. We made it in to Estes Park, Colorado by evening and initially found ourselves hanging out at the local amphitheater listening to Jazz…one of my favorites! Dinner at a local BBQ shop and amazing salted caramel ice cream at Hayley’s to wrap up the evening. This place is so precious! We will be back soon.
Into Rocky Mountain National Park we go……
