Last Day in the Black Hills

Day 6
Friday, July 4, 2014
Custer, South Dakota
Cheyenne, Wyoming

Friday morning we packed up and checked out of Beaver Lake Campground.  Hayden had been asking for a picture by this beaver all week, so we took some pictures on our way out.

We drove into town to check out the Old Time Country Fourth celebration in the park across from the historic 1880's courthouse.  We spent the morning playing games at the park and had a great time.

Bennett with his favorite thing in the world (besides Daddy):  BA!  (ball)

And I was elated to find that there were sacks for sack racing.  Of course I challenged all my kids to a sack race since I have never been beat.  (I'm not good at a lot of stuff like this, so this whole sack race champion thing has gone to my head a little bit.)

I take my sack racing VERY seriously.

Dallin couldn't take the heat.

And I remain the sack racing champion.  for now. :)

This splat the clown game was really fun.  Sydney was the only smart one who ducked out of the way of the wet "splat" ball.  (Which I think was technically against the rules, but hey.)

One last stop at The Purple Pie Place.

After ice cream we started the drive home.  We stayed the night in Cheyenne, WY, where we watched fireworks in a baseball field on the Air Force base.  With glow sticks.  

The fireworks were beautiful and it was a lovely end to a fantastic 4th of July.

 And that's a wrap on one of my favorite family trips to date.  

Some Wildlife, Sylvan Lake, and Sarsaparilla

Day 5

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Wildlife Loop & Sylvan Lake, Custer State Park

Circle B Chuckwagon, Hill City

Wildlife Loop:

This was a scenic drive within Custer State Park where wildlife viewing is more likely than in other parts of the park that are more developed.  It was pretty cool.  A big herd of buffalo was right at the turn-off.  We also saw an antelope right on the side of the road, a deer, a couple of pronghorn, some prairie dogs and I think that's about it.  There was also a lone bison who just wandered onto the road and decided to walk in the middle of it for 10 minutes.  And we happened to be first car of many behind him.  After awhile he finally cleared off the road so everyone could pass.  I was glad we had the great view!

 

Sylvan Lake:
After another picnic at our favorite spot, Fishhook Picnic Area, we went for a hike around Sylvan lake.  It was beautiful.  In fact, there was a wedding being set up at one spot on the shore that had a gorgeous views of the lake behind them.

Circle B Ranch:
We had a fun Chuck Wagon dinner at the Circle B Ranch.   The kids panned for gold, practiced their roping, shot pistols with wax bullets, rode a pony, and took part in a funny staged shoot-out with Sheriff Dale and the Biscuit Bandit.  The service was great--they were so friendly and accommodating, and the food was delicious!  We tasted Sarsaparilla while we waited for dinner to start.  Bennett was a BIG fan.  For dinner we had BBQ brisket, chicken and buffalo, baked potatoes, applesauce, and some very perfect biscuits.  And after dinner there was some western music entertainment.  Super fun!

Dallin won this free ice cream for making all six of his wax bullet shots.