Part two of the drive home. We left Mitchell and went to Sioux Falls to check out the Butterfly Gardens and Aquarium. 

We grabbed a quick lunch and then drove to Marion to visit some of my extended family. It had been four years since our last trip to see them – Shecklet #4 was only a few months old and my cousin Josh was getting ready for his deployment. It was really good to spend time catching up with family. Hopefully it won’t be another four years until we can do it again. 

Gassed up in Sioux Falls and heading home!

Loaded up and ready to make the two day trip back home!

Since we weren’t rushing to get to Mitchell, we drove back through the Badlands. This time we stopped and hiked on a different trail. Shecklets 1, 2, & 3 went with me on over half of the Notch Trail. We went as far as climbing the ladder before turning around. They’re not joking when they recommend hiking boots, which is part of the reason we turned back after reaching the top of the ladder.

On to Mitchell where we had dinner at The Depot, checked in to our hotel, watched the last half of Shrek, and went to bed.

Bear County was the first stop of many today. As we drove through the park we saw elk, mountain goats, bison, bobcats, wolves, and of course, bears.

After driving through the park, we walked the 1/4 mile trail and got to see badgers, a porcupine, lynx, skunk, groundhog, beavers and bear cubs. The cubs were my favorite – so mischievous and playful. 

Lunch was at the Firehouse Brewery in downtown Rapid City. 

We picked up a few bottles of Mythical Beast wine at the Firehouse Winery nextdoor before heading to our next tourist stop…Dinosaur Park.

And then a longer stop at Storybook Island. The Shecklets enjoyed running around and checking out all of the character statues and posing for pictures with many of them. 

The rest of the day was spent at the water park connected to our hotel. Four and a half + hours of running around, climbing steps and flying down water slides makes for one tired bunch of Shecklets. (Each of then went down the red and blue toilet bowl at least one time with Jake – it was pretty amusing to watch!) Goodnight!

Two stops were on today’s itinerary- Reptile Gardens and Fort Hays (for a chuckwagon dinner and show.)

Reptile Gardens was full of so many animals we were busy for hours. We took in the three shows they offer- the bird, alligator, and snake shows. Each one had engaging presenters who informed and entertained the audiences. In between the shows, we toured the grounds to see the world’s largest collection of reptiles (according to the Guinness Book of World Records a few years ago.)

After leaving Reptile Gardens, we headed up the hill to Fort Hays. 

There we found old town shops including one where they make rope and another where they make tin plates (like the ones we used for dinner.) The Shecklets were able to help make a three-strand rope that is strong enough to hold 2 tons before giving way.

Watching the tin plates being made.

For the second day in a row, we took shelter  from the rain/hail – this time in our suburban. It didn’t last long and thankfully the hail was only pea-sized. When the storm passed, we saw a full rainbow. 

At 6:15 pm the doors to the chuckwagon dinner room opened and we found our seats. 

The 400 in attendance were all served dinner in 22 minutes! The meal was eaten from a tin plate (made in the tin shop.) We each received a baked potato (semi-flattened so it didn’t roll around,) baked beans, meat (chicken or BBQ brisket), applesauce, and then on top of a sheet of wax paper, a biscuit and spice cake. Lemonade was served in a tin cup as well. The food was tasty and the musical entertainment by The Wranglers was great!

Black Hills Caverns was our first stop today. We went on the Adventure Tour – an hour+ tour through limestone caves. Our tour guide, Cooper, was awesome! He was very knowledgeable and answered all of the kids’ questions. Jake and I agreed with the ratings of the tour – family friendly and fun!

Our lunch spot was at an overlook of the dam reservoir. With our appetites tamed (at least for a bit) we drove by Crazy Horse. 

And then through Custer State Park where we saw where the buffalo roam. (Along with the donkeys.)

As we wove through and eventually out of Custer, we stopped to see the Four Faces at several spots along the way. 

Upon arriving at Mount Rushmore, a storm approached. 

We made it about halfway to the monument viewing spot before we turned around to take shelter in the gift shop for a while. 

When the rain subsided, we went to the cafe for dinner. By the time we finished, the rain had completely stopped, so we ventured back to the main viewing area to take the obligatory photos in front of the presidents and went on a walk around the monument grounds for different views of the Four Faces. 

And one final photo from the nighttime program that we hung around for tonight. 

Heading to the Badlands! (If you ask Shecklet #4 what you do there she will tell you, “It’s where you fight!”)

Quick stop to check out some prairie dogs. 

Around 10:30am we entered the Badlands National Park. We stopped and did a little hiking. Shecklet #2 is already planning a return trip to do some more hiking!

Next up…Wall Drug!

On the way to our hotel outside Rapid City, all four Shecklets managed to talk, sing, or read out loud at the same time. 😬

We made it to our crash pad for the next 4 nights about 5:30. We’re all happy to be here!

A full day means a good night’s sleep.