Thinking about a summer trip...with 3 little's in the car, we knew that we could travel too far without getting stir crazy, so we looked at the map and considered our options. With family in Sioux Falls, SD, we had a good pit stop on the way out to Mt. Rushmore and the Badlands!For our family summer trip, we packed up the Jeep and headed west. 2 in the far back, 1 in the middle and parents up front...let's do this!
B snuggled in and ready for the trip!
We stayed at
Holy Smoke Resort and Campground nestled in scenic Keystone, SD.
Our cabin was great and the kids loved it!
Custer State Park was by far my favorite adventure/spot/place that we explored. It covers 71,000 acres in the Black Hills and there is lots to do: hiking, exploring, abundant wildlife...there is adventure for everyone!
We grabbed our gear and explored some trails!
Adventure is out there...let's go find it! This crew was all smiles as we started out!
We hiked this trail that went past "Needles", formed from granite pillars!
So fun to hike through the woods and see the granite formations!
After the hike, we jumped back in the car for a driving tour. Blythe fell asleep, so we checked out the little cave right next to the car!
This road takes you through several tunnels...
This one is called the "Eye of the Needle"
And another tunnel!
We hopped out to check out this cool tunnel!
Then we stopped at the beautiful Sylvan Lake.
There is a short hike around the lake that is really fun!
Back in the car, we hit the Wildlife Loop Road...and sure enough, we found some buffalo!
Lots of buffalo
Buffalo that got closer and closer to the car...
Really close!
This one was using this car's license plate as a back scratcher!
Highlight for Trigg, meeting a real Park Ranger (that's what he wants to be when he grows up!)
The next day, we headed to
Bear Country USA, a drive-thru wildlife park!
The bears were everywhere!
We stayed in the car and the bears were right next to the road!
Walking beside us! The kids thought this was awesome!
The next day we headed to the famous,
Mt Rushmore!
Majestic figures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, carved into the rock! We learned how they were made and toured the artists workshop!
Trigg was determined to pick George Washington's nose...check!
On the way back to Iowa, we took the back roads and went through the Badlands...which means more driving. Blythe didn't seem to mind!
Welcome to the
Badlands!
The scenery dramatically changed from where we were, no more forest...this is more like a desert!
Even has some cactus!
2 National Parks + 1 State Park + Buffalo + Prairie Dogs + 1 Mom + 1 Dad + 2 boys + 1 girl = fun family vacation!
Another pit stop in Sioux Falls and then home to Iowa! A great family trip in the books!
