Deters Family Treasures

Monday, January 4, 2016

June 10, 2015 - Steam Train

Following Mt. Rushmore we decided to take the Steam Train. We boarded the train in Keystone and traveled to Hill City and back again. Along the way we kept an eye out for wildlife.

Having looked at the weather we realized that our best chance for getting a good view of Mt. Rushmore was to get there first thing in the morning.

The plan was to get a cabin by the lake where we could do the various lake recreation. However due to the extremely wet conditions Rapid City was living up to its name and we were limited in what we could do. Since we arrived on a sunny day we went to visit the geese.

June 9, 2015 - Badland's Petrified Garden

As we drove up to Rapid City we passed any very creative signs advertising the Badland's Petrified Garden. We decided to stop, stretch our legs and check it out. First we headed out to what was kind of a large, enclosed backyard. All over were various petrified stumps and logs for you to touch and see. We did a lot of posing next to them.

June 9 - June 13, 2015 : South Dakota Vacation

For our summer vacation this year we decided to go to South Dakota. We stayed at a cabin by the lake in Rapid City. There was an unusual amount of rain this year - the same as at home - so lakeside opportunities were not there like we hoped. However we found plenty to do.

On the way up we passed by Badland's Petrified Garden and decided to take a break. They had a huge collection of petrified wood specimens and assorted other fossils. This is also where we found the best gift shop!

For the remainder of the day we explored the local wildlife by the cabin and enjoyed the sunny weather. It turns out we wouldn't see the sun very often.

On Day 1 with steadily worsening weather and increasingly reduced visibility, we visited Mt. Rushmore, traveled on a steam train, visited Bear Country USA and finished up at the Dinosaur Park. The second day saw much more persistent rain and we spent more time indoors seeing Mammoth Site and then driving through the Custer Wildlife Loop. The last full day was sunny again and we tackled Storybook Island, Black Hills Maze and Reptile Garden before heading home the following Saturday morning.

All of us enjoyed our visit to South Dakota and had a great time!