Our First Day in Keystone, SD!

Well, today was our first full day in Keystone and what a long day it was. It started off with Meghan waking the entire family up at 8:15 when she called from her sleepover with Aunt Nancy, Courtney, and Lauren. After that we all showered and got ready to embark on our first day here.

Our hotel disappointed us this morning with not having the luxury of a continental breakfast. Seriously, what kind of hotel doesn't have one? So we had to venture out into the little town and find food for ourselves. We came across a bagel shop owned by a very nice couple which served fresh, homemade bagels (not as good as New Jersey bagels though!). We ate outside and watched all the other tourists go by in search of something to do.

After breakfast we traveled down the street about a mile or so to check out the community center where this whole family reunion shindig was going to go on. We found it across from the church (which was the size of a double wide trailor) and with a screen that flashed 'McElgunn Family Reunion' with hearts on both sides every 2 minutes. Gary decided to keep driving down the road with his car packed with 7 beautiful girls. About 5 more miles down the road we found ourselves pulling into the driveway of Rushmore Caves.

Inside we signed up to go on an hour-long tour of the caverns. Pam, Courtney, Lauren, and Nancy were a little nervous about their claustrophobia, but they were sweet talked into going by the 15 year old boy asking for our money.

Once we were inside the cavern, the whining started. All 8 of us were bringing up the rear of the tour group, which was good because we didn't think everybody us would want to hear us complain about the temperature, the tight spaces, climbing, etc. The cavern was beautiful. Once we got through it halfway we ended up in 'The Big Room' (clever name, huh?) where it was all open and we had to climb many unstable stairs. The view of the entire room was amazing with lots of "icicle-like stalactites that hang from the ceilings, and spires of stalagmites that rise from the smoot roch floor" (yes, this was copied from the brochure). The final strenuous climbing adventure we had to do was climbing up 2 ladders....two very slick ladders. If the leader of the pack were to fall, we were all goners. Thankfully we made it safely back into the gift shop and out of the 58 degree cavern. Though we all complained for the entire hour we were trapped underground, all 8 of us had a great time thanks to Gary's tricky ways of conveniently driving to the caves.

After our little expedition, we went back to the hotel to wash our hands from the grimey clay and dirt from touching the rocks. Of course, since our family is so outgoing and cannot stand the excitement of Keystone, we decided to venture out towards downtown and see what was happening down there. Turns out a whole lot of nothin' was going on. Just shops that were all the same carrying cowboy hats, moccasins, and Mount Rushmore trinkets. Sounds like a fabulous time if you ask me! We walked through the whole town (which was not much judging by the picture in the previous post) and took pictures with our dear friend Abe and an oversized chair.

Next on our trip o' fun to town we stopped at the Red Garter Saloon so that the parentals could quench their thirst yet again with some ice cold beerskis (Have you noticed the pattern that they always need a cold beer in the middle of the day? Weird, huh?). Good thing Pam, Gary, and Nancy were having a good time because the kids were not. "Bottomless Stomach" Delaney was content only after she was allowed to get some peanut butter fudge. After 2 beers Gary and Delaney headed back on the long trek up the hill (which should be considered a small mountain) towards the hotel so they could head over to the community center to help set up for our 4pm Meet and Greet (woooohoooo!). Meghan and Lauren followed soon after, while Pam, Nancy, Bridget, and Courtney brought up the rear (not surprising) about 15 minutes later. During this time of our little hotel stay before set-up we realized how sketchy Keystone was in getting some liquor (and soon to find out some wine for Pammy - you know she loves her wine).

Finally the reunion was kicked off at 4pm. The girls set up the entire dinner (because of course when you handle the food you have the better odds of eating first). It was some sketchy lunchmeat, chips, potato salad from Walmart, and some veggies. Yummmmy. Nothing like a Keystone home-cooked meal. Within this time at the community center before the night lighting of Mount Rushmore, we played a game where you had to write an interesting fact about yourself and put it in a box. Then, Gary and 3 of his cousins read the fact while all the other 60 family members guessed who it was about. Let's just say Meghan was forced to go up in front of everyone to touch her tongue to her nose. She turned as red as the Solo cups that were being used to drink beer and wine out of.

At around 8:30 we all loaded up the cars and headed towards Mount Rushmore for the lighting. Gary was trying to be a party pooper but he wasn't raining on anyone else's parade in South Dakota. With much effort, we convinced him to come with HIS family. It's pretty funny to think that we're here for HIS family reunion, not anyone elses and HE is the one that doesn't want to go. Shame on him.

The lighting ceremony was pretty cool. Pamela took off from the pack skipping hand in hand with Gary (skipping was a sight to see, almost a funny as her running after an empty beer can on the beach in Ocracoke). The place was pretty crowded since we arrived pretty late, but it did not stop the McElgunn family members from having a good time. It called for a major photoshoot with the families and lots of talking which upset a lot of people; for example, the woman standing next to Meghan had to walk over to Pam and Bonnie to say they were talking to loud. Pam then proceeded to let everyone know who came near her that she got in trouble. Its not like the woman was still standing 5 feet away from her or anything and was deaf all of a sudden.

After talking about all the President's in the movie, Mount Rushmore was slowly lit for some quality photography to be taken. Soon after we all left and headed back to the hotel where the adults sat on the patio and drank some more while the kids went to bed.

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