South Dakota & Mt. Rushmore

Our 2nd annual trip to South Dakota - Sloan booked the site in January, so he was able to get a primo spot with a nice, big backyard

We were so lucky to have Sloan's parents drive all the way from Utah (via Montana to pick up the Wright kids) to meet us there

Drew time by the pool

Day 2 we ventured into Black Hills National Park - first the visitor's center

then stopped to pet the wild donkeys

grandma lured them in with caramel popcorn

which earned her more attention than she wanted!

Anson settled them down

next, the bison

and more bison!

then hail

and snow!

and sleep

thankfully the sky cleared for a stop at the bicycle monument

back to camp for grandma's tacos

Day 3 - Sloan and I took the big kids to hike Harney Peak

This was Ruth & Milo's first long hike - 7 miles to the highest peak in South Dakota. 

We took lots of breaks.

After 3 hours, we made it!

heading back down, 3 hours to go

That evening, we visited these guys

had a lovely visit here, and took more pictures, but they're lost :(

Day 4 Clayne and Vivien packed up to head home after making us delicious scones. 

We spent the day with the kids at the pool

In the late afternoon, we went to Keystone to try the alpine slide

the chairlift up was half the fun!

there was a garden and cafe' at the top

good addition!

here we go

needing some encouragement

Drew seemed to like it (but held on pretty tight)

decent reviews

From there, we went to Bear Country

It's a drive-through wildlife enclosure - starting with elk and reindeer, then the arctic wolves

Then mountain lions, and timber wolves - ahh!

And bears

They had over 50 black bears roaming around -
We were impressed

 made me want to hold my babies tight!

After the drive, we walked around the smaller enclosures.

Our kind of guy

Luke was a wreck by the end, and Ruth & Reg were probably fighting, but memorable experience!  From there we went back to camp to meet up with the Rowses, our friends from Denver.

They are hard-core tent campers & great travel buddies

The next morning, we did the Sylvan Lake walk

The mile-long walk is quick, easy, and mystical! Starts off at a small dam

Then winds around the lake

oh boy

The walk ends here, all set for a wedding

Luke has had a long-standing crush on Bianca, so we told him this was his chance

he decided to go for it

tried some primal courting techniques

tempting, Luke!

back home (and very single)