As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
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If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.
So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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We are going on a Family Adventure (quick trip) to Mount Rushmore the weekend of July 4th. This will be a quick trip as we are within driving distance....leaving July 1st (staying in Sioux Falls SD) - arriving in Keystone SD (July 2) - traveling to Dickenson ND (July 3) and home for fireworks on July 4th. Our hotels are booked along the way but wondering if there is some spot we should consider stopping to see...........
Is there anything you would consider a "Not to be Missed" besides, of course, Mount Rushmore? Any tips or tricks we should keep in mind?
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We love love the Dakotas. So much to do that we went two yrs in a row.
The Alpine Slide is pretty good. We loved it. So is their wild miniture golf course. Going through the needles is a must too. Oh, the Mount Rushmore Cave (I believe that is the name of it). It is the one closer to the town. You actually decend the stairs and they take you through the caves.
It does get very hot there in the summer at times. It is such a great area. Have fun.
Since your driving at Mitchelle there is the Corn Palace and the Doll Museum. There is a tour of the missal silos at the Air Force base just east of Rapid City (posting from my phone and too lazy at the moment to go get the atlas). Storybook Island in Rapid City (donations), Bear Country USA, Flinstone Village, Reptile Gardens, Custer State Park-this would be my top choice. Take the wildlife loop make sure you have some crackers, carrots and apple slices with you. Tour the park during the day getting to Mount Rushmore about 2 to 3 hours before sunset. This gives enough time to see Mount Rushmore in the daylight, tour the history, go down to the artist studio (note when I was last there in May 2005 this was not wheelchair or stroller accessible due to it being a nature area. I highly recommend using a sling or other baby wearing device for infants and toddlers. The steps are steep and do not have hand rails in a lot of places. Dine in the resturant than get a seat for the evening lighting program. Be prepared for the weather to change suddenly and rapidly in the mountains. Take at least a jacket and rain poncho when you are not close to you vehicle. We usually will wear jeans and t shirts even in the summer often with a sweatshirt.
We love love the Dakotas. So much to do that we went two yrs in a row.
The Alpine Slide is pretty good. We loved it. So is their wild miniture golf course. Going through the needles is a must too. Oh, the Mount Rushmore Cave (I believe that is the name of it). It is the one closer to the town. You actually decend the stairs and they take you through the caves.
It does get very hot there in the summer at times. It is such a great area. Have fun.
Thanks for sharing your experience!! We won't have a lot of time as it is a real quick trip but the Alpine Slide looks fun on the website and our DS is interested in doing a cave tour! What are the needles?
Since your driving at Mitchelle there is the Corn Palace and the Doll Museum. There is a tour of the missal silos at the Air Force base just east of Rapid City (posting from my phone and too lazy at the moment to go get the atlas). Storybook Island in Rapid City (donations), Bear Country USA, Flinstone Village, Reptile Gardens, Custer State Park-this would be my top choice. Take the wildlife loop make sure you have some crackers, carrots and apple slices with you. Tour the park during the day getting to Mount Rushmore about 2 to 3 hours before sunset. This gives enough time to see Mount Rushmore in the daylight, tour the history, go down to the artist studio (note when I was last there in May 2005 this was not wheelchair or stroller accessible due to it being a nature area. I highly recommend using a sling or other baby wearing device for infants and toddlers. The steps are steep and do not have hand rails in a lot of places. Dine in the resturant than get a seat for the evening lighting program. Be prepared for the weather to change suddenly and rapidly in the mountains. Take at least a jacket and rain poncho when you are not close to you vehicle. We usually will wear jeans and t shirts even in the summer often with a sweatshirt.
We've looked into a few of the places you mentioned but unfortunatley we will be on a tight schedule getting there so we won't be doing a lot of stopping for touring. Once we get to Keystone, we will try to take in as much as possible.
Have you ever been to see Crazy Horse? It is worth the time and drive? I have heard from a few people that not much is completed yet so it could be skipped.
Good advice about taking along a jacket!! It is amazing how fast temps can change in the mountains!! Thanks!
No crazy horse is not worth it. You can see alot of it from the highway.
The needles are where the hills are very close to the highway. At one point only one car at a time can go on one stretch of the highway. It can make it abit long. The rock formations are kinda neat though.
The Alpine slides are fun. Just pay attention to what they say. We saw one woman who was on the heavier side go with her daughter and she went too fast, leaned too much to the side and flipped it. But I hadn't heard of anyone else doing that and they have some pretty wild kids on those. There is a small resturant up at the top.
Do take in Bear Country. It is a drive through area with the bears running wild. You need to go early in the morning or later in the evening. We have gone 3 times (once when we first got married) and we loved it every time. Sometimes the bears come right up to the car.
Honestly, if I had a short time frame I would do: a cave tour (the one I told you about. We have been on 3 and this was one of the best), bear country and the Alpine slide.
We stayed at the KOA in their hotel near Keystone. That was a nice place to stay.
Oh, and I have to mention too that they have some awsome biking/hiking trails in the area. They are paved. Really nice, although I know you won't have time.
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I have not been to The Crazy Horse memorial. Most of it can be seen from the highways nearby at least what is finished. Prices are high unless your in one of the discount catagories. There is a small model of the finished memorial on the site. I will wait to make my one time visit till it is all done. We can make the drive in 8 hours or less depending on how often and long we stop. Now for someone who was making a one time trip I would say it might be worth it if nothing else for the historical emphasis to the Black Hills.
OK......we are less then 24 hours from leaving and I was wondering how many things there is to do or how much time we should plan for the actual Mt. Rushmore Memorial park?
We would really like to be there in the evening for the light show which I believe is at 8 or 9 pm. If we entered the Memorial park area around 5 or 6 pm, is that to little or too much time?
It should be enough time though you might not be able to see the artist's studio. Get your seats about 45 min before the lighting as they fill up fast.
It should be enough time though you might not be able to see the artist's studio. Get your seats about 45 min before the lighting as they fill up fast.
Thanks so much for all your trip advice, Tammy!! We may even go a bit earlier than 5 or 6 as it just depends on what our activities will be earlier that afternoon and the crowds. You can be sure we will be finding seats 45 minutes prior to the light show!! Maybe we may even be lucky enough to see fireworks!!
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We are going on a Family Adventure (quick trip) to Mount Rushmore the weekend of July 4th. This will be a quick trip as we are within driving distance....leaving July 1st (staying in Sioux Falls SD) - arriving in Keystone SD (July 2) - traveling to Dickenson ND (July 3) and home for fireworks 
on July 4th. Our hotels are booked along the way but wondering if there is some spot we should consider stopping to see...........
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Pixie Dust
What are the needles?
Once we get to Keystone, we will try to take in as much as possible. 
I will post a trip report with a few pictures soon. 
PassPorter Guide Author
I look forward to reading all about it. 
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