Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse

"We are experiencing ground water problems... Wash clothes at your own risk." Hmmmm. So that explains the murky brown water pouring out of every faucet at the Mt. Rushmore KOA. Sigh. Which, of course, reminds me that I've been fascinated by the road signs on our trip. I love the "Rest Area. Watch Out For RATTLESNAKES," "Dangerous Curves Ahead," "Steep Decline," "Limit 6, No Running or Jumping," "Strenuous Trail," "Susceptible to Windy Gusts" and "Danger During Storms." Somehow I have started to treat them like merry, good natured fortunes posted right along the road for all to see and heed. And I find myself wishing that our life, our spiritual journey came with such advance warnings. (Kev thinks I'm insane about this.) I even like the "speed limit 55 and Go Slowly Construction Ahead." That seems to sum up our journey these days, go slowly- construction ahead. As we see Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse, we are well aware that our trip is mostly over, that we have yet to see any writing on the wall of what our future holds... (I keep waiting for red spray paint on the side of a mountain or something.) That we will need to proceed even more slowly this next year, that there will surely be time for construction in our lives- emotional, spiritual, mental, physical.
Meanwhile, Joe and Louisa have correctly identified all four presidents on Mt. Rushmore (Core Knowledge would be proud,) found the NC flag on the walkway, learned about Crazy Horse and even gone on a 1 1/2 hour horse ride (without us!). They've jumped on a huge jumping pillow, slid on several long slides (Nate's favorite) and made quick friends at almost every stop. Blessfully unaware of any future angst, they live in the present the way I want to, enjoying every stop at full speed.
Our only hiccup (Cheds you will appreciate this.) was realizing hours down the road that we LEFT BABY at the Crazy Horse memorial. Near the end of our time there, we turned around and Savannah wasn't with us. After several long minutes of screaming her name and dashing around to all the potential places she could be, I ran back to the viewing platform and there she was. I should have known to go backwards first. For several weeks now we have dubbed her the "Pokey Princess." She strolls along at half speed where-ever we go enjoying things that no one else sees... a bug, a butterfly, the light dancing on the trail. Sometimes she just plops herself down and plays in the dirt. Sigh. So anyway, by the time we had re-located her and herded all four kids through the pottery-filled gift shop (I swear designed for people to break things) my nerves were a tad frazzled. I simply forgot to include Baby (Nate's very very VERY precious baby doll) in my mental head count. By the time Nate realized that Baby was not with us, we were far to far to turn around and get him. I was just sick. Nate was wailing. Everyone in the car was trying to problem solve. Finally, we called Crazy Horse and after several hours of looking for him (the description was a very well loved pink and purple cloth doll who had just had Dr. Pepper spilled on him and then was dragged through the mud) they found him in the theater wedged between two seats. He got a first class ticket to Nana's house via USPS. To make sure he wasn't scared or lonely those kind ladies even tucked in a small stuffed buffalo to keep him company. For now, we are filling Nate's head with stories of Baby riding on the airplane, eating peanuts, drinking soda and looking out the window. He's terribly sad and misses Baby tremendously, but is fascinated that his doll is having his own grand adventure.