Crinkly's Good Ole American Family Road Trip Day 7: Big day of park exploration (9/2/15)

*** If you happened to read my posts from my trip throughout Asia, then you know all about Berry. This trip, I had a different friend with me, Crinkly. Today, you will be introduced to Crinkly, a can from a local brewery from back in Houston, 1836 from Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company. The beer is named for its historical significance in Texas History so I felt it only appropriate to bring Crinkly along for this tour of historical landmarks around America. So I hope yall enjoy the journey as much as Crinkly did! :) ***

Woke up early to grab breakfast before heading out to start the day. Get to Badlands NP and start exploring the park which reminds me of the painted desert NP in AZ. After checking out some prairie dogs, we start heading out towards Rushmore.

Those fishermen are out there early trying to get their haul in. I guess they know that fish live by the whole "the early fish gets the worm". Oh yeah - look at that view. :)

Woke up early and are driving west. Start getting into the hills and realize to our right there are clouds down in the valley not yet dissipating due to the sun not warming up the ground enough. Pretty cool to drive above the clouds.

Pops looking out over the lands. One day, you will rule all that the light touches. :)

They call these the badlands. To me they look pretty awesome. Though I guess awesomelands doesnt sound so great.

A few different colors in the rocks. Pretty cool.

Getting into the thick of the badlands area. Lets see what theses views have in store for us. Couldnt have asked for a better day to explore nature's beauty.

So desolate yet some greenery growing here and there.

Panoramic view of badlands area.

The cross country trip crew (minus Crinkly and I)

No caption needed with a view like this.

Look at those formations. Looks like a beautiful alien planet.

My dad out on a rock among the badlands trails. 

Good view out past the Badlands to the plains of SD.

Crinkly checking out the badlands in all their glory.

A little panoramic pic near the end of our badlands exploration.

This is one of those places that a picture just doesnt do it justice but I tried.

Found a bison as we drive around.

Prairie dog in the Prairie. Whod have thunk it.

This guy wants to come meet Crinkly and I. Such a cutie.

Crinkly and I taking a pic with the fearsome 4 in the background.

You may use this as a postcard pic if you would like. :)

My dad taking a picture of the reason we are all here.

The entrance is pretty nice with flags from all the states along the walk.

Mt. Rushmore in all its glory.

Found the survey medal for the monument. Always enjoy finding these things at different landmarks.

Just having an 1836 from Buffalo Bayou Brewing company in Houston with some former presidents. Just joking this is still Crinkly getting another picture in with the bad boys of American history.

Just wanted to get a good view up their noses to get a different perspective.

Just a bison hanging out letting us take pictures of him. What a gent!

This bison has a pretty nice place to call home. So stunningly beautiful.

A male antelope just walking around.

Found the herd of Bison. 

Just a couple antelope? relaxing in the shade. 

Stopped in Wall on the way and it is a tourist trap of crap that isn't worth the stop. Get to Rushmore and explore the grounds and the presidential path which is a .6 mile loop with some different views of the presidents and some information on each of them. We get back to the center and after having some ice cream we head over to see the Crazy Horse memorial and realize its 28$ a car so we turn around and head to Custer SP to see some bison. See a few as we make the nature loop but not enough that I thought the trip was worth it. After making the loop, we get back to the hotel (HoJo in Rapid City) and check in with happy hour following. After being there for a little bit, we head to main street to grab dinner from a steak house and then check out the firehouse brewery which lets you sample all 9 of their beers for 13$ (4oz servings). The reds were OK, the pale ales had an astringent aftertaste, and they offered a German brown; not sure what that is but it wasn't too bad. After that sampler we walked back to the hotel to get some rest for the night.