ND, WY, SD TRIP JUNE 2023

Day 1 - June 3rd

Started the trek to ND at 2am.

Stopped for breakfast at 7am in Monticello, MN. Kids enjoyed pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, and toast.

Continued to push forward to our lunch stop in Fargo, ND.

Made it safely to our hotel in Dickerson, ND by 2:30pm.

Unloaded our bags at the hotel room and headed to the hiking trail in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

We hiked 1.5 miles on the Painted Canyon Trail by the south entrance of the park.

It’s surreal hiking a trail that has remnants of Bison that have passed through.

While hiking Micah happily says, “Wow, this is a beautiful day to hike.”

Back at the hotel we had a picnic style dinner of PBJ & popcorn then we went the pool for an evening swim.

Tomorrow more exploring in Theodore Roosevelt National Park!

Day 2 - June 4th, 2023

The entire family had a fabulous nights sleep and was ready by 6am.

We ate breakfast at the hotel and met lots of other travelers.

One gentleman was headed to Yellowstone and then to Alaska to be with his dad. Another couple, from Chicago, was also going to Yellowstone to be with their two kids and four grandkids.

I love talking to others while adventuring to hear what path they are on.

We drove to Medora, ND

We entered the south unit of Teddy Roosevelt NP and hiked:

Skyline Vista - .10 miles easily accessible with a paved walkway.

Wind Canyon Trail - .50 miles to see the horseshoe portion of Little Missouri River. Micah loved climbing up this trail to see the water.

Boicourt Overlook Trail -.80 miles

Astonishing views and the first time I felt nervous hiking with the kids due to the height of the peak. It was also narrow once we got to the end of the trek and Micah and Chelsey were very curious “how far down the bottom was from where we were standing”.

Coal Vein Nature Trail - .60 miles

Beautiful views on this moderate trail. There were several points we were unsure where the trail actually was as others have made their own routes along the way.

Enjoyed PBJ and potato chips in the back of our Traverse.

Animals we saw today while in Theodore Roosevelt NP:

Bison, pronghorn, Prairie dogs, wild horses, and wild turkeys. We have never seen wild horses before today so to say we were stoked would be an understatement.

Stopped at the visitor center to get our National Park passport stamped - This is something we just started so I can’t wait to see what other parks we can get stamped!

Savored a sweet treat from ice cream & fudge depot in Medora. Micah picked cookies & cream while Chelsey enjoyed Oregon black cherry.

Headed back to our hotel in Dickinson while a short and heavy rain storm passed through.

Evening swim at the hotel pool before dinner.

Dinner at Blue 42 in Dickinson which was amazing! While waiting for our food to arrive, we asked the kids “What was your favorite part of today?”

Chelsey’s response: “Hiking”

Trev and I split the 1881 burger which was two burger patty’s, bbq pulled pork, Swiss cheese, onion rings topped with their signature sauce - tasted like heaven after todays adventures!

Can’t wait for more tomorrow when we visit our next state!

Day 3 - June 5th, 2023

5am wake up call to pack up our hotel room and hit to road to Wyoming.

We saw two beautiful deer and four pronghorns safely running in the fields next to the highway.

First time driving through Montana and Wyoming for everyone!

Hiked Devils Tower - Red Beds Trails 2.8 miles. The sheer size of Devils Tower is astounding. Stopped several times on the trail for snacks and water breaks.

Looking up at Devils Tower made us feel extremely small yet very grateful for the experience to be in an area with such an interesting history.

Got ice cream post hike and headed to South Dakota.

Drove through Black Hills National Forrest, Custer, and Wind Cave before getting to Hot Springs, SD where we will stay at Sunrise Ridge Campground - our favorite place!

We got to visit with a baby Dexter cow that was born at 1:30pm TODAY!

Micah and Chelsey played with the chickens before we went to dinner at Smokehouse in Hot Springs with our very good family friends.

The kids played their own version of pool with only the cue ball and stayed up way past their bedtime - Which is exactly what vacation is all about - making memories!

Day 4 - June 6th, 2023

We had breakfast at our Kro’s Nest cabin where the eggs came from chickens right on site!

Drove through Wind Cave and saw bison, pronghorn, and prairie dogs.

Hiked Sylvan Lake in Custer State park. We hiked this exact loop last year with Chelsey in the hiking pack. This year Chelsey walked the full 1.0 mile loop. It’s crazy how much can change in one year.

Met a wonderful man who kayaked the lake with his dog Biscuit. He enjoyed Oreos in his folding chair and informed us the sunsets at Sylvan Lake are spectacular.

Had lunch at Black Hills Burger and Bun Co before heading back to Sunrise Ridge Campground to play with the cows and chickens! Micah is clearly in his element caring for the animals

Day 5 - June 7th, 2023

Breakfast at Kro’s Nest then headed to Wind Cave to Hike Rankin Ridge Trail - 1 mile loop.

We adore this trail as the views from the top are unbelievable - on a clear day you can see all the way to the Badlands.

The bison were putting on a show as we drove through Wind Cave this morning. Gulping up water right next to the roadway, walking in the lane next to us and crossing the street. We love safely viewing the Bison and admiring the strength and size of these animals.

Hiked Lookout Trail & Centennial trail in Wind Cave 4 miles, but we took a wrong turn and made it 5.66 miles.

I turned my ankle 3.0 miles into the hike and was able to “hike it off”. (I’ve had countless ankle injuries from my days playing basketball, so fortunately I was able to push onward.) We took a wrong turn which went uphill into a trail that was clearly made by a bison…We backtracked to find the trail and finished the hike safely.

Micah hiked a total of 7.0 miles and it’s 12:30pm - We are beyond proud of how far he’s trekked!

Went back to the cabin to enjoy PBJ (the boys had “double decker PBJ” with three pieces of bread). We all napped and woke up ready to enjoy the afternoon with our family friends feeding the cows and playing with their chickens. We went to dinner at the Hot Springs Bowling Alley and the kids entertained themselves with the mirror that was on the ceiling.

Went back to the campground to enjoy some more quality time together.

Day 6 - June 8th, 2023

Breakfast at our cabin then headed to Custer State Park to hike Stockdale Lake Trails (1.5 mile loop). This hike had spectacular views at the top.

Chelsey was able to navigate the terrain .50 of a mile and then went into the hiking carrier. Micah rocked the entire hike.

We went into Custer to Black Hills burger and bun. We were interviewed by FOX & ABC news out of Sioux Falls about our experience at the restaurant and why we enjoy it so much. We honestly shared this is our second time eating at BH Burger & Bun this week since we enjoy it so much. We will have to wait and see if we see ourselves on the news!

We went into the visitor center and turned in Micah’s junior ranger booklet to be sworn in as the newest junior ranger of Wind Cave!

We took an evening drive through Wind Cave and saw:

Mule Deer

Two badgers

One little turtle crossing the road

Three female elk

Heard coyotes in the distance

Pronghorns

Bison

Highly recommend safely going into Wind Cave National Park before sunset to experience the animals in the evening.

It’s a bittersweet sensation leaving the park for the last time and packing up the car to begin the drive home tomorrow morning.

We have had a marvelous time on this vacation and created memories that will last a lifetime.

We can’t wait to visit again.

Until next time.

Lessons from our trips:

•The would is a pristine place when it’s left untouched.

•First time experiences are priceless.

•Viewing animals in their natural habitat is the seeing a glimpse of their true essence.

•Time outdoors is time well spent.

•”We were so busy looking out, we forgot to look within.” -Trevor

TANCKS for reading