We spent a week in Rapid City, South Dakota. We had an action packed 5 days. To begin with, we visited the World’s Only Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD.

We hiked in the Badlands and drove through Badlands National Park. I don’t have any pictures because hiking with a three year old requires all hands on deck. Near the Badlands National Park we stopped to feed prarie dogs peanuts. They were so fat and tame and made sounds like a bird.

After the Badlands we went to a festival in Rapid City at Storybook Island. Storybook Island was essentially the largest playground I have ever visited. The kids had a ball.

We visited Caputa Alpaca Farm and fed and pet alpacas including this 3 day old baby. There was a swing set in the middle of the enclosure and it was fun to swing the kids surrounded by alpacas. The owner took lots of time with us showing us the shearing process and spinning fiber into yarn. All the yarn sold had the alpaca name and photo along with it.

We drove through Custer State Park and stopped to pet the wild donkeys and enjoy the overlooks. There were several single lane tunnels, gorgeous vistas, and buffalo.

We visited Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The experience was very patriotic and the maintenance of the carvings is impressive.

We spent two evenings at Watiki Water park in Rapid City. The kids absolutely loved the slides. One slide was transparent and traveled over the adjoining bar ceiling.

The kids and I visited the Museum of Geology and were fascinated by this skeleton of a plesiosaurus, which some scientists suspect the Loch Ness monster to be. Brooklyn was fascinated.

We visited Chapel in the Hills, a replica of a 12th century Norwegian stave church. It was incredibly beautiful and had a inspiring meditation path that made a peaceful end to our evening.

We visited Deadwood, SD. This historic town nestled in the feet of the black hills is the death place of Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane. The city had re-enactments of his death, along with re-enactments of a famous street shoot out. The city was so charming complete with great shopping, art, and history. Mount Moriah Cemetary, where the two famous outlaws were buried, was beautiful and had amazing views of the black hills and Deadwood below. Cigarettes, shots of alcohol, and shotgun shells were left at the gravesites.

We also visited the famous Wall Drug Store, which entices you to death with advertising the entire length of the state.

Finally, we visited Crazy Horse Memorial. The memorial is independently funded and only about 25 percent complete. I look forward to seeing it completed. This trip has left such a great respect for the native Americans who were so spiritually tied to the land. They fought and bled to protect thier right to live in the black hills. After our time here, I understand why. The black hills are beautiful!