South Dakota Trip-Day 3

Another memory I have from my childhood trip to South Dakota, was a waterpark called Evans Plunge. I have been telling Joe about this since we've been married. So, of course, I made everyone drive the extra hour to visit it while we were here. 

It was just like I remembered. Three slides, a kiddie area, and rings. I think everyone enjoyed it though. I know the boys loved the water slides. 

After the water park, we drove though Custer State Park along the Needles Highway. It was a very pretty area. With a lot of buffalo to see along the way.

Including wondering thought a parking lot. I guess even animals are tourists.

Of course, we had to drive though the Needles Eye Tunnel. It was a tight squeeze.

Then we headed back to see Crazy Horse during the day.

And made a stop for ice cream on our way to see Mount Rushmore at night.

We woke up the next morning and hit an all you can eat pancake breakfast before heading out of town.

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for sharing this fantastic trip and making such good memories.

South Dakota Trip-Day 2

The second day start at Bear County, USA. It is a drive-thru wildlife sanctuary. The main part is of course, the bears. 

The animals come right up to the cars, and sometimes even block the rode. It's amazing. 

Then we headed over to the Cosmos Mystery Area. They have leaning buildings, weird "level" areas, and other strange happenings. It made me nauseous but the boys liked it.

Then we stopped by a few wineries for some wine tasting. 

I made everyone stop at a maze. When I visited South Dakota as a kid, I remember a huge wooden maze. I don't know if this was the same one or not (I'm pretty sure it was) but it was a lot of fun (for most of us).

I think the boys are enjoying sleeping in the motorhome while we're here. Another fun day. One more in South Dakota.

South Dakota Trip-Day 1

We decided we wanted to take the kids to South Dakota this summer. So we called up Grandma and Grandpa Weldon to see if they wanted to meet us. We drove out there so got to check two more states off the list. 

We got there in the evening just in time for dinner. We ate and then settled in for the night in the motorhome. We woke up early the next day and headed out to Mount Rushmore. In 1st grade, the boys' school does a patriotic lesson so both Daniel and Josh knew about Mount Rushmore. 

Hugging a tree.

We stopped for ice cream on the way out and had to try the Jefferson Vanilla.

After lunch, we headed over to Reptile Gardens to see all the animals they had. We started with the bird show. The boys got to give the bird money at the end of the show.



 

They had snakes to look at and pet. 

Plus, we got up close and personal with a lot of crocodiles. 

Although, not as close as the guys that work there.

They put on quite a show. The boys even got to pet a baby crocodile afterwards.

They had giant tortoises and rattlesnakes (you couldn't pet those).

And a 15 ft crocodile named Maniac. He was huge.

Reptile Gardens provided a lot of afternoon entertainment.

After dinner, we headed to Crazy Horse to see the night show.

This monument is going to be amazing when it gets finished.

It was a great day to start the trip.