We traveled all day Saturday and then were greeted at Custer State Park by baby bison and their mommas. It was amazing. If we had been just a couple minutes earlier or later, we would have missed not one, but two different herds hurrying off to (I'm guessing) their dinner.
After being couped up in the car all day, and with little time to do anything else, the kids enjoyed a dip in the hotel pool.
With rain in the forecast, we knew that time was precious and that we better be up and at it Sunday. We literally hit the ground running.
Brooklyn, Madelyn, Maddie, Taryn and Kiri paused for a quick pic in front of a few of our favorite presidents. It didn't seem too crowded at Mt. Rushmore - until we got to the giftshop. Can you say Shoulder to Shoulder?
This young Rocky Mountain goat came to say farewell before we left Mt. Rushmore.
After Rushmore we drove to Bear Country, USA; one of the coolest things we have ever done. It was amazing. We drove along the path of this animal park, seeing Arctic Wolves, Moose, Reindeer, Mountain Lions (who were too busy sleeping to acknowledge us), Bison (big deal, we see them in the wild all the time), and most important: Bears.
Since the park was so crowded we had to drive slow, resisting the urge to roll down the windows as bears played, strolled back and forth across the road, slept, swam, and scratched the hard-to-reach places on branches or fences. As if that wasn't amazing enough, when the drive was over, we were able to park and watch tiny bear cubs play and rough house with each other.
Next was the very anti-clamatic Reptile Gardens. For the same cost, it was not near as fun as Bear Country. But the kids did enjoy the alligators, crocodiles, snakes, birds and prairie dogs. I couldn't get out of their fast enough.
The weather held out, and held out some more. Just as we returned to our hotel Sunday night, the skies opened up and dumped the forecasted rain.
With Monday our travel home day, and with more sight-seeing to do, once again we hit the ground running.
We stopped in Deadwood (as in the HBO show). It's a little old casino town, which had quite the reputation in the late 1800's for being a city of gambling and prostitution. So I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that we were the only people there with children. No worries, it was a quick stop, with us peeking in at a few famous cars.
Next stop: Spearfish. We played and picnicked at the park/hatchery while David worked, adding to the hours he worked in Rapid City.
By the time we got to Devil's Tower, we were exhausted and ready to be home. We'll need to visit again to take the short hike around it. Still, it was good to stop and look and stretch our legs a bit.
It was a whirlwind trip, and exhausting trip, but full of green scenery and good memories.
1 comment:
what does isaac call it? - Mt. RushAmore?
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