Author: kennedyfamilytravels

We started out bright and early this morning heading to Atlanta for our 1:30 reservations at the Georgia Aquarium. Luckily the boys and I slept while Joe rolled.

Finally we pulled into Atlanta; traffic wasn’t bad for most of the trip down. Although we had 1:30 reservations for the GA, they allowed us to go in early and we picked up lunch while there too. Seamus was absolutely smitten by Tank the sea turtle that we’ve watched on the Aquarium show lately. Max’s favorite exhibit was the sharks while Joe liked the whale sharks. I was enamored by the beluga whales who were chowing down while we were there. Joe likes the sharks too! It wasn’t very crowded and Seamus loved taking pictures all day! I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves!!

Continue reading “Spring Break 2021”

Holy Moly! I almost forgot about the last day of sightseeing while out West!  After a quick breakfast (well, somewhat of a breakfast, due to Covid, there were very limited supplies!) at Starbucks, we headed up the mountain a bit to see the grave sites of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane.  Even though the two were just friends, she had asked to be buried next to him there.  Sheriff Bullock was buried there as well, but 725 feet up the mountain, and we did not make the climb up to see his grave, but I’m sure he has an amazing view of the gulch and the city of Deadwood.  Mt. Moriah Cemetery was much busier than I expected for sure, but very peaceful!

Statue of Wild Bill in Deadwood.

Wild Bill’s view and the river beside the town.

Graves and views from Mt. Moriah Cemetery. This is Calamity Jane’s grave.

No laughing but this was my first trip to Badlands National Park when I’m guessing I was about 11 and Jill would have been 8ish?  And yes, that’s a camera in my hand!

After leaving Deadwood, we headed east towards home.  We made our first stop at Badlands National Park; I had forgotten how beautiful it was.  The first time I visited I remembered lots of little flies everywhere; we did not see those on this trip!  It was hot as Hades and we hiked a short hike where Max and Joe climbed everywhere.  The strangest part of these formations was that they felt like mud.  Hard to climb; I was most worried about finding a snake!  Thankfully we did not:)  Here are some of the photos of this gorgeous area!

The boys loved climbing!

 Next we headed back over the highway to the Minute Man National Historic Site. We missed the silo tour this trip so that’s a must-see next time. We were short on time but were able to see a few cool things from the Cold War!

Finally we were homeward bound. In Iowa after heading through Minnesota this time we stopped at the world’s largest truck stop! It was huge with about 8 fast food places inside and tons of kitschy shopping too! The boys were ready to get home and see their puppies though so it was a fast stop!

Spoiled!!!

Until our next adventure!!!

Boy was today warm! 94 degrees! We spent the night in Keystone with our amazing view of Rocky.

After sleeping in a bit we headed the whole one mile to see Mt. Rushmore. Now driving there was interesting because not only are there tons of cars and rvs ( ok tons is exaggerating a bit due to Covid, there were like 10 cars heading in with us) but 4 wheelers and Razers driving all around too!

Scoring covered parking was a great way to start the day! We sunscreened up and walked in to the park. Unfortunately it is under construction, but we were able to see it clearly and the work being done there. Workers were also hauling up large amounts of fireworks for next weekend’s Fourth of July celebrations with Trump coming to visit. We did a little hiking but we were cut short because the Presidential Trail was closed. I guess we just have to head back! Seamus tried out Thomas Jefferson’s original vanilla ice cream recipe which tasted just like my great grandma used to make too!

After leaving we headed down 16a highway to see Crazy Horse. Now they’re still working on this but it’s way more complete compared to when I was there in the 80s. The Native American education pieces there were beautiful and we learned a lot! We enjoyed lunch at the Laughing Water cafe outside while watching a native dance and storytelling event with a local native couple. Her dress was amazing. We walked and learned before heading back out again. I

Next we headed down the road toward Rapid City to Reptile World so Seamus could see some turtles. We ended up staying for three hours!!

After seeing tons of animals we headed back to Deadwood for the night. The process of getting a room about put Joe and me over the edge, so we were happy with the room and view!

The first thing we did was to head down into Deadwood to watch a re-enactment of a shoot out from a stagecoach robbery. The actors did a great job of sharing the history of Deadwood too!

After the shoot-out we headed down to Saloon #10 where we watched the re-enactment of the shooting of Wild Bill Hickok, Deadwood’s most famous resident. Max volunteered to be a part of the show, and ended up being the bartender! He did a great job and shocked us all. He loved it!

After a delicious dinner at Mustang Sally’s where Max finally had his fish and chips, we headed back to the room to relax!

This morning we headed West for Wyoming and Devil’s Tower. It was only a 2 hour drive from Wall, but we hit it early. On the way we found a Target and an Ihop so shopping and breakfast were first in Rapid City!

We stopped at the state line to Wyoming and chatted with the lady there who gave us some good advice on getting to the tower.

After getting our routes together we hit the road headed for Sundance, WY and state Route 14 into Devil’s Tower. We stopped at a souvenir shop and found people from Miami who were moving to Seattle to work for Starbucks! Small world.

We were able to head right into the park and purchased our Annual Park Pass, hoping this will inspire us to hit more parks this year!

We passed the Prairie Dog village and started up to the visitor center. Then, we hit the traffic. On our way out we counted cars and estimated we were about the 65th car in line to wait for a parking spot. We really only waited about 40 minutes, but it sure felt longer!

We parked and headed up to the trailhead. I have to say everyone needs to see this place in person. Lots of stories surround what made it and it is a sacred place for the Native Americans in the area. No aliens were found though!

The sun was hot and we enjoyed hiking around the base. So many different views to take in while walking!

Next we were off and headed to Deadwood, South Dakota. Little did we know it was a mini Vegas! Every hotel has a casino! Wild Bill Hickok was captured there and shot. Very neat place we want to go back to with more time!

Finally we headed to Sturgis for dinner. Every year about 450,000 bikers head there for a huge festival. Skynard, Willie Nelson, ZZ Top and Billy Idol are coming this year! We stopped for dinner at Knucklehead Brewing before heading to Keystone for the night! Tomorrow is Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse! Joe is already asleep beside me! A great day for sure!

Time for bed!

We’re not in Kansas anymore Toto. Or Ohio. After our Covid house fell through, we hit the road. Off to South Dakota we go. Our first day was pretty uneventful so I’m combining days one and two. A lot of driving! We made it to Des Moines, IA for our first night. We stopped in Urbandale, IA at a mall that was building an ice rink! The boys and I walked around there while Joe had a meeting in the car. Then we hit our hotel and walked to dinner at Beerhouse. Max wanted to try fish and chips but they were sold out. We will find some!!

So Day Two we head out and immediately hit Krispy Kreme for the boys!

Off we go to Mitchell, South Dakota! Along the 5 hour drive we received calls from the boys new hockey coaches for the upcoming season. Everyone is so ready to be back. Speaking of, aside from closed dining rooms and some masks, not much is different from Covid yet. We will see if that changes the farther West we go!

Next we hit Mitchell and the Corn Palace. Joe and the boys thought they were really funny with their corny jokes and songs.

The Corn Palace was a quick stop and we were back on the road!

Horrible storms hit as we left Mitchell. Literally blew the car across two lanes. I made it though!! Once we were through it the sun came back out. During the storm it went from 89 to 62 degrees in just a few minutes!

We finally made it to Wall, SD! Did some shopping and checked in to the Econolodge. I’ll leave it at that. Mama will not be back. At all. Yuck. Off to Wyoming tomorrow!!

Ok, so it’s Covid-19 year.  The year we were supposed to travel like crazy:  Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands.  But, then the world shut down and we all hunkered down at home for 3 months.  Travel will be back; it may look different, but it will be back.  In the meantime, what do we do?  For the most part, we followed guidelines and stayed in our homes.  We socially distanced.  We checked on our people and stood in line at Costco.  We wore face coverings when necessary.  It was a lot.  It was stressful.  But, we survived.  Now, the world is starting to turn again.  People are getting back to some sort of normal.  Sports are starting back up again, schools are making plans for our return, and it’s time to hit the road once again.

Our first “trip” was to drive down to Tennessee and visit the Hursts on Norris Lake.  No big shocker there–we quarantined with the Hursts all through this mess.  So why wouldn’t we jump on a pontoon boat with them and do some day drinking?  Aside from the very red skin we returned home with, it was a blast!  The kids loved it!  They learned to drive a boat from Uncle Todd, they jumped in the lake and swam around, they floated on floaties.  It was a great break!  Now, for the pictures!

We survived the day! Exhausted!

Here they go! Ready to drive!😬

After a great night in St. Ignace he headed northwest to Musining, MI and Picture Rocks National Lakeshore. It is simply beautiful. Pictures do not do it justice.

Annual pictures on the lakeshore of the hotel with Mackinac Island in the background

Next on the way out of town we stopped and climbed a lighthouse. Beautiful sight but Seamus and I were scared to death of the heights!!

The two hour drive up was beautiful and uneventful and then we made it in time to grab Subway and then head to the dock of our Shipwreck boat tour. It was hot but pretty cool. I wish we would have done more of the Picture Rocks but we will do that next year! We did drive the boat into a cave that was amazing and rained all year round! The worst part was the attack of gnats that would not leave us alone!! Seamus was not completely seaworthy but he held on! Max loved being up on the bow and checking out the views.

Our pre-tour trip photo!

Next Max and I headed up to the park to hike while Grandma and Seamus stayed at the hotel. The scenery was so peaceful I can’t wait to go back and explore!

We ended the evening at the Picture Rock Pizza Place and then Dairy Queen. The perfect ending!

Off to Traverse City tomorrow!

Today the boys and I started by checking out the shoppes next to the hotel and doing some exploring for coffee! We checked out the covered bridge and walked around Frankenmuth for a bit.

Next we headed for 75 north and 2 1/2 hours of driving. My camera filter shattered but we still found some great pics and the place we first stopped on our first trip up.

We even found a scenic overlook!

Finally we made it to the bridge with high wind warnings. Lots of swaying on the drive over!

Off to the island we go! Very choppy waters on the Cadillac today!

We grabbed some bikes and were off to ride the 8 mile loop around the island. Max was nervous after his his bike crash two weeks ago, but he did great. We saw our first snake on the island, and I stayed FAR away from him. The waves were crashing over the bike path the water and winds were so strong!!

Finally we made it back to the room. Our huge NEW room at the Harborpointe in St. Ignace. The boys were in heaven. A big storm rolled through around 10 and then we were out for the night!

Today we jumped in the car and headed off to Summerlin and Red Rock Canyon. Actually, we headed there once we were able to get out of the parking garage 🤣. But we did finally achieve that goal and then we were off.

Before we got to the park we stopped at City National Arena where the Knights practice.

They weren’t on the ice for about an hour and a half, so we headed to the Canyon to check it out.

It was pure madness. The lines to get in were long.

But we made it in and found a trail to hike. Thank god we didn’t find any snakes because the boys were really trying to! I was ready to run like the Flash if one crossed my path.

The winds were unreal. Seamus almost blew into California! But once we reached the valley we found the weather beautiful!

Seamus swore he wasn’t going to make it back, but he did it!

Next we were off to watch the Golden Knights practice!

After practice it was off to Red Rock Casino for a quick lunch then back to the Strip!

We met mom and dad for Thanksgiving dinner at The Buffet in Excalibur. Food was great and we all had too much!!

Next we made our way to Bellagio to see the beautiful scenes!! 28,000 steps later, we were ready for bed! I’ll let The Bellagio pics speak for themselves!!!

Big Golden Knights game tomorrow!!!

Today we started off by waking up early and heading down the strip for a morning walk. It was a cool 48 degrees but sunny and beautiful out. Not too crowded and crisp!

We walked around and found some great places for pictures, until the boys refused to take any more. Do they not know their mother? I will get my photos!!!

We walked through the Park where there were tons of Knights memorabilia up all over. The best part was all the Christmas decorations that were popping up all over!!

Next up was mini golf with the Guttman family. Loads of fun in The Twilight Zone today!! Jeff won with Hayley coming in 3rd behind Ryan! Max brought up the rear-we had to explain it was golf and not a hockey puck he was flinging down the ice!!

Next we hit Hash House AGoGo for the biggest played of food I’ve ever seen! It was so good. Joe has the Tractor Driver breakfast while I had a pumpkin pancake bigger than my head. The boys had the largest kids’ meals I’ve ever seen for $3.99!!!

After lunch the kids played in the room while we all hung out for a bit and then played some video blackjack and minor losses. Joe and Jeff got to pour their own Guinness at RiRa too with Gabriel, our new friend! It was a pretty cool experience!!

We finished off the night with dinner at Excalibur with grandpa and then a quick nightcap with Megan before saying goodbye, for now, to some amazing friends!!