South Dakota - Bear Country

South Dakota - Best Buddies

So much of Oliver and Finn's time together is spent talking. They make plans and scheme up dreams. I love watching their amazing friendship. 

South Dakota - impromptu brake job

So, on our way out to SD we starting hearing a strange humm. After driving in the mountains for a few days with switchbacks and slamming on the brakes for deer, buffalo, bighorn sheep... our back brake had it. Mark tried to fix it with the bounty of tools he had brought with (this man was prepared for most anything), but it proved too far gone. Luckily, we had made quick friends with a very nice family in the cabin behind us and the husband offered to drive Mark into town to get parts. $150 later, and one scary trip down the mountain with 3 of 4 brakes working, and he was able to fix the whole brake assembly right there in the cabin driveway! He's my mcguiver!

Thank God for sweet neighbors and a very handy, rugged, sexy, man-of-a-husband. Ok I'll stop. Really though, this man had a hell of a day wrestling with this van and he never lost his temper or even got downhearted. I was so impressed with his patience and determination. He's my hero. 

South Dakota - Ghost Town

South Dakota - Day 6 Cabin Camping

I really enjoy rustic camping with none of the creature comforts and yuppie routines we're so accustomed to. However, the first several nights in SD were cold, and rainy. Yuck! 

We were so happy to make it to our cabin with heat, electricity, and AC. 

This was the Blue Bell Campground. The cabins are cheap and the location and view were incredible. Within the first 5 minutes we say deer, turkeys and baby bunnies right on our site. 

Gah! Look at that view!

Oliver just sat and took it all in. He's such a deep thinker. 

Then daddy joined him. 

Snacks! Thank God for snacks! They let a mommy unpack the car. 

One of my favorite features about this cabin was the awesome deck. 

I wanted to point out, in case it wasn't already obvious, that this was how the twins traveled. We brought no stroller, just packs. It actually worked out really nicely having our hands free. 

Cuties

Weston's "contraption"

South Dakota - Day 5 Bison & Borros

Weston and I woke up early to the noisy turkeys occupying our campsite. We stumbled out to the bathroom and then heading back to our tent, discovered this fella. The bison in the background. Not Mark:)

It was closer when we saw him and then he kind of wandered around munching on grass. Just the week before, a woman was gored in Custer after getting too close to one of these massive animals. We were very careful and quickly piled kids into the van for safety. Mark however, couldn't help taking this mocking selfie, for all the idiots who risk their necks for a photo near a cliff, etc..

So beautiful!

This was a different bison that was just chilling right bynthenside of the road. 

Herds of bison 

Prairie dogs. We stopped on several occasions to let the boys watch these funny guys. 

Borros! So cool! The literally crowd the road in herds and come right to your car. 

Beautiful landscape. The photo doesn't do it justice.

More borros

This one was pregnant

Silly Laiken. I always say "he was made for fun". 

Our camping tradition (adopted from my parent's tradition) Campin' Eggs!

South Dakota - Keystone Mining

We chose the less populated mine that was a 15 min drive vs the bigger more popular mine, that was an hour away. We're weird like that:)

It ended up being a fantastic tour and very educational. It was also JUST our family so we could ask more questions and take our time. So cool. 

Panning for gold

Weston "panned" for gems. It's a little more rewarding for younger children. 

After we went to the car, daddy and Oliver stayed to make sure they were getting everybody of gold they could.