Parks at Rapid City, SD

One of the nice things about our trip to Rapid City was that the town seemed to be made for family tourism. It had some unique and fun (and free) parks around town. Here are pictures of two of them: Storybook Island and Dinosour park. Storybook Island has lots of lifesized children storybook themed buildings, animals etc. To pay for it, businesses and individuals will "adopt" a certain storybook theme and build and maintain the display. All of them are made to play on. It was a very fun park and it brought back a few membories of books that I had forgotten.

These pictures of Landon and Ryan on the monkey bars are not storybook themed, but it shows how these two boys attack life. I am not sure the order, but apparently Landon was playing in the middle and Ryan wanted by - so just do it!

They had a little train ride available for a small fee.

Kalli fits right in!

Are these the "Flying Monkeys?"

Michone in a staring contest.

Ryan had gotten his feet dirty and tried to wash them off. Then he saw this mud puddle and he decided to make the most of it prior to washing.

two little Tom Sawyers. Ryan and Landon really looked like they wanted to be in a different time and place as they gazed at Huck and Tom.

The picture above shows a stork. That indicated that the display was available for adoption by a supporting business or person.

Winnie the Pooh and friends. Michone noticed there was a small (two feet off the ground and about 5 feet long) rope bridge on this display. She thought it was so funny how secure and safe it was compared to ours at home.

The big bad wolf getting ready to get the third little pig.

The wolf landing in the fireplace ready to get a piggie!

Tara and I were not familiar with the story behind this blue house, but it was a cool one and lots of fun.

Childhood is not complete without a story involving a bright red fire engine and dalmation dog.

The dinosaur park was built on a tall ridge that ran through part of town. You could see the dinosaurs from a long ways away.

Here is a picture (very cute I might add) of Tara and the children on top of the ridge.

There was about 4-5 dinosaurs. I think they were life sized, but I am not sure. The park was built in the 1930s.

Tyranosaurus Rex and Tricertops getting ready to square off.

Brontosaurus

Stegosaurus

The Fun Part

We enjoyed the whole trip, but the best part was the water slide park we went to. This was on the same day as the Badlands and so we were a late getting to the park. This is the first time our children have been to a water park and it was so much fun. The only bummer was a thunder storm moved in and they had to close the park for about 2 hours. However, when it finally opened up again (1/2 hr before closing time) we had the whole park to ourselves and about 10 other people. Ryan (this is actually at the hotel pool, but the picture fits here!)

Ashley heading down the slide.

Kalli reaching the end.

Landon going in without fear. Landon is a great swimmer but he kind of gives the impression of flailing and sinking a little bit. He fooled a life guard watching over this slide and the lifeguard flew off his seat, down the slide and grabbed Landon. I wonder if he thought I was such a terrible parent as I just watched Landon as he "swam" to the edge.

This was a double slide. Landon went off one without a jump and this is a picture of Michone catching a little air off the slide with a bump at the end causing a liftoff.

Dad and Ryan.

Badlands, South Dakota

Tara and the children went to the Badlands one morning when I was in class. It is about 50 minutes from Rapid City. The original Wahl Drug is out there also. The boys were so excited to find wooden swiss army knives with their names on them. The girls each bought Indian dolls.

These two photos were taken from the same spot. The earth just turns from prairie to desolation. Tara said it was amazing to see.

I hope they were safe!

Not quite the Swiss Alps, but still breathtaking!



These last three are taken from the car while driving on the road that goes through the park.

Mt. Rushmore

Mt Rushmore is in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It was started in 1927 and finished in 1941. Each night they do a lighting cermony where a park ranger gives a little patriotic speach prior to lighting the faces of the Presidents. They also invite all current and former military members to come down on the stage while a scout troop retires the flag. Then each military person said their name and what branch they served in. This was a very neat thing to experience.

Here are the military members and scout troop as the flag is retired.

You can see Mt. Rushmore in the background.

A closeup of the lighted presidents.

This was prior to the lighting ceremony at Mt. Rushmore.

From left to right: George Washington, Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln. The noses are 20 feet from brow to tip and the faces are 60 feet.

There is a little trail you can go on to get closer. All the loose rock is from being blasted off when they were doing the carving. Most of the "carving" was done with dynamite.

Shell Wyoming

After leaving Cody we went through a small town called Shell where Garrity has worked for a horse trainer/seller. She said the drive from Shell to Sheridan would be beautiful and she was right. We went over a very steep canyon and noticed that the pavement had a red color to it.

We stopped at this waterfall. It was unlike most waterfalls in how it formed. Lots of power!

Landon loved this rock and wished he could pick it up and take it home so he could share it with everyone.

What beautiful children!

Buffalo Bill Museum - Cody, WY

We left Yellowstone and went to Cody, Wyoming. A pretty drive for the most part. In Cody there is a big wonderful museum called the Buffalo Bill Museum. There were a lot of things to see and look at.

This is a very common stop for Landon!

I know, it is a white tail - but it is still huge!