Brookings Children's Museum

Hands down favorite Children's Museum; Brookings, South Dakota, of all places.

We went with our friends from the RV park which made it even more fun, if that is possible. We have a lot in common and enjoyed getting to know them. They have a 9 year old daughter and an almost 7 year old son, Jillian is still looking for her counterpart :)

Bobby at the news desk.


The kids and their friends fixing cars.


Jillian finding refuge in the tot area.

We all could have played with these longer! I had never been kicked out of a children's museum before... darn closing time!


Jillian is still not convinced this T-Rex wasn't real.


Alas, it is still raining and cold and we are headed out to find sunshine. Unfortunately according to the national forecast once we do find the sun it will be along with scorching temperatures. Where's the happy medium!?

Brookings Soggy Adventure

Last night after an incredibly enjoyable evening of making new friends and enjoying a charming city campground we retired to an exciting thunder storm.

The kids and I snuggled in the bottom bunks and watched the show which nature had clearly put on for our viewing pleasure.

After they dozed off I went up front to chat with daddy and listen to the increasingly intense storm. Sure we had to raise our voices to be heard, but we checked the radar and it looked like we was were in the worst of it now.

Then I noticed a car pulling through the park; strange at this late hour in weather like this. Robb, investigating further and went out to talk to the police officer who was there to inform us and our fellow campers of the distinct possibility of the park flooding with directions to higher ground.

Packing up at midnight is a bit of an adventure. Driving through streets covered in a foot of water with very little visibility in a strange town after midnight, now that's a memory in the making :)

It rained the rest of the night and is still going today but we're back in the park, the threat of flood having eased last night. The kids are out now with their new friends seeing just how deep these new puddles are.

I realize these pictures don't exactly illustrate my story but sitting here listening to the rain back up Van Morrison it makes perfect sense to me.

Mount Rushmore

The rain didn't slow us down any!

Being sworn in once again as Jr. Rangers.


Ok, UNCLE. or whatever else I need to call. I'm done with crowded tourist attractions.

Not done.

I just need a break.

We had a great time, it was fun, but we're ready for some out of the way quiet time.

Wind Cave NP

A few shots from our time at Wind Cave National Park.

The kids working on their Jr. Ranger badges.

Jillian and I in the cave. Apparently she was not as impresses as some.


A close up of the boxwood formations the cave is famous for.

Thermopolis

Yea for Thermopolis hot springs!


We stopped at the state park and enjoyed a quick dip the hot springs and a little energy burned at the park.

Meeteetse Park

We have a little crush on Meeteetse, WY.

Robb got the rig all fixed up (belts and radiator and stuff) and he and the town mechanic fixed the breaks, parking break and all!

The kids and I spent some time exploring the huge downtown museum (indoor and outdoor) and visited the famous chocolate store. Jalapeno truffles; yes please.

As I said the park we were in was great, Jillian learned to get on the swing by herself and would even pump if no one was in pushing distance.


Jamie and Bobby decorated the "dandy-lion" princess. She paraded around like royalty for a good half hour.


The western backdrop made for some very elaborate make-believe games.




As Uncle Ted taught us; a man who chops his own wood warms himself twice.

Luck of the Draw

Some dirty hands and a radiator later Robb is buried in belts and oil working on getting us all fixed up.

If we had to break down we could not have picked a more ideal location to do so!



The park we are in is ideal, I'll detail it another time along with the bosom buddy the kids made yesterday.

But the big hit was last night. We went up to Cody; a decidedly western town (paint Jamie in heaven.)

We made it just in time to watch the local gun fight which takes place every night at 6pm.

Then we strolled around the downtown where all the shops are geared toward western themed items. The kids have declared Wyoming one of their most favorite states.

Then on to the Cody Nite Rodeo! I'm having difficulty expressing the kids' excitement. Think Disneyland wrapped up with lollipops and Santa Clause.


They invited all kids 12 and under to come down into the arena and do a calf chase. (Pull the ribbon tied to the calf's tail win a prize.)

My babies made me proud; for some in inexplicable reason Jillian decided to go down too. Robb and I are watching as our little ones stand in the middle of a huge line of other kids as they explained what was about to happen. We watched as Jamie leaned down and gave the other two instructions and when they gave the signal she took off after the calves and Bobby took Jillian's hand and trotted Jillian speed behind. When it was over Jamie went and found the other two and they made their way back to our seats. None were successful in getting a ribbon but mom and dad sure were proud.