Howdy, peoples! I'm back from yet another traveling adventure. This blog has been more of a travel blog than writing blog lately! Though I did happen to write 2000 words in my MG and read four middle grade books while on the road in the RV!Where in the heck did I go this time? I went from a city slicker in New York to a country bumpkin exploring campgrounds and monuments in South Dakota and Wyoming. We started in Wisconsin at my inlaws' vacation home where we spent the fourth of July weekend with lots of family. Then my inlaws, hubby, three children headed west in an RV. I've never camped before, but I was a trooper in the campgrounds - public showers/restrooms and all! Of course some of you may argue that a motor home is not camping, a tent is! But an RV is as far as I'll go camping! No tent for this gal!
Here are some of the fun sights we explored as a family.
The Badlands and Wall Drug, SD How could we not go to Wall Drug after all of those signs?! Here are the bbbbadlands...
Mount Rushmore, SD My youngest was so excited to finally see it in person!
Custer State Park, SD We saw a buffalo and deer while driving through. We also drove along Needles Highway in a long, winding trek through the Black Hills. Beautiful scenery!
Crazy Horse Memorial, SD My daughter, hubby and inlaws rode in a van up to the arm of Crazy Horse and saw it up close! Here is my daughter next to the face.
The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, SD We saw actual mammoth skeletons and workers excavating more right in front of us.
Bear Country, USA, SD We drove through a wildlife park in the Black Hills encountering bears, elk, wolves and more! We were OMGing the whole ride through! Bears walked right up to our car! The baby bears were adorable, too. It was much safer than Anita's recent bear experience!
Deadwood, SD My mother-in-law went next door to a casino while waiting for our lunch to arrive and came back in five minutes with $1000 winnings!
Devil's Tower, WY was my favorite stop of the trip. We camped where Close Encounters of the Third Kind was filmed. We hiked around the tower, and watched the movie in our RV one night!
A former campground in Minnesota that my husband's grandparents used to own and run. It's no longer there, but cool to see the lake where they vacationed!
Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America, MN which had awesome rides for all ages! My oldest and I went on this and more!
Best quotes of the trip from my 7 yr old daughter: "Mom! I just saw a hillbilly!" and "Mom, could you just act normal for once in your life?"
I was away from my house for two whole weeks, which is a very long time for this homebody! We made lots of fun memories, but as always, it's good to be home.
How are you spending your summer?
