July 11, 2025 (Fri.) - Rainy Day Delays, Mt. Rushmore at night & The Ongoing Moth Wars
Lynn kicked off the morning around 7:00 AM, sticking to her usual routine despite the steady rain that continued from overnight. Kirk, on the other hand, had been up half the night dealing with the gusty winds and downpour. Lynn had every intention of diving into blogging—it’s been on hold for days—but the allure of digitized kid videos pulled her in again. There’s something magical about reliving those childhood moments through old tapes, photos, and slides… and that magic wins every time.
She squeezed in a conference call with her sisters to coordinate medical care for their mom, who’s currently juggling a few appointments. It’s a bit tricky managing things while out of state, but thank goodness for cell service and tech—making the impossible a little more doable.
The rain, unusually persistent, lasted all day. Normally, it rolls through in brief spells, but today? Total washout. Perfect for finishing up our Ballard binge, which Lynn absolutely loved. She’s already crossing fingers for a season two. Admittedly, Ballard also helped derail her blog schedule—some shows deserve full attention, not distracted multitasking!
With the weather keeping us RV-bound, all meals were enjoyed indoors, and by 4:00 PM, Lynn finally made headway on blogging. Good thing she’d set an 8:00 PM alarm to remind us about the Mt. Rushmore nighttime ceremony. With departure looming on Monday, this was our last chance—and we weren’t going to miss it.
We’d visited Mt. Rushmore back in 2020 but never seen it illuminated at night. The ceremony was impressive, with dramatic lighting casting shadows and grandeur across the mountain. The rain had mercifully stopped, though the air was still damp and chilly. Luckily, Lynn brought a water-resistant blanket, and we grabbed great seats—though not without some unexpected audio from a screaming baby, whose parents took their time to exit. Not ideal, but we soaked up the moment anyway.
By 10:30 PM, we were on the road home, grateful when a deer darted across the road that we didn’t end up as part of nature’s nightly headline. Kirk, ever practical, reminded us how the grill guard earns its keep.
Back at the RV by 11:00 PM, under a stunning full moon, we tried to capture the view—but as always, photos couldn’t do it justice.
And finally, the ongoing saga: the moths are back. Two more met their match, bringing our estimated total to around 30, as documented back on 6/27/25. A never-ending battle… but we’re holding strong.
Weather – High 65*, Low 51*. Wind 2-16 mph, gusts up to 31 mph.
Traffic – None.
Food – Ate in the RV all day.
Notable – Mt. Rushmore at night, not hitting a deer!
Screen time – Ballard (finished the series), The Surfer (terrible), Elevation (so-so)
