Day 3 – 1880 Train
As we were driving through Hill City I took the opportunity to snap a few photos of the 1880 Train. We decided not to ride it since the girls are so young but maybe in a future vacation they will be old enough to appreciate it!
Vacation
Day 2 – Crazy Horse
The last time I saw Crazy Horse was in the 90’s and SO much has changed including the Welcome Center. I don’t know what it is about how your eyes can focus, but again, my camera cannot capture the distance or scale as well as seeing it in person for yourself.
Day 2 – Bear Country USA
The second day came with a few showers but we still ventured to Bear Country USA. It consists of a drive-thru park that meanders it’s way through elk, deer, buffalo etc, and ends with BEARS! I had a close encounter with a wild bear in Canada once but I really was unprepared for the massive …
Day 2 – Old MacDonald’s Farm
While most people would be heading to Deadwood to hit the casinos, I’m playing the family girl and taking my children to petting zoos! This is a FAMILY vacation so the gambling and wine tasting will have to wait. Old MacDonald’s Farm was pretty cute. I’m not a huge animal fan, I don’t own pets …
Day 1 – Mount Rushmore
We ended the day with Mount Rushmore. I had a “tourist” intuition and decided to go there while the sun was still shining rather than head to the hotel. They were predicting rain for the rest of the week and I didn’t want to miss out on good weather. I’m completely convinced that there are …
Day 1 – Wall Drug
Seriously, who HASN’T heard of Wall Drug?? This was a quick stop for us so the girls could stretch their legs, run away from the T-Rex screaming and inhale a cup of the strawberry ice cream.
Day 1 – Badlands
The Badlands National Park is so unique that you would be a fool not to go see it for yourself. You’re driving along the hilly grasslands of South Dakota then BOOM… an alien planet emerges. Photos really can’t capture the massiveness of this scar but here are some of my favorite photos.
Day 1 – 1880 Town
Located near Murdo, SD on exit 170, the 1880 Town became our first stop. It was drizzly rain, slightly foggy with very few people. They were just gearing up for Memorial Day weekend so the crowds hadn’t started yet which was just fine with me. It’s the reason we took the vacation as early as …
Our Black Hills Vacation
My mother and I decided to take an “early” vacation out to the Black Hills of South Dakota with my two young daughters in tow. And by early, I mean before the Memorial Day crowd. For years I’ve worked in the tourism industry yet I myself have not REALLY experienced the “tourist” feeling out in …