DFT21 - Days 9 and 10

- July 05, 2021

This trip is a lot different then most DFT's. First we stayed in the same place for several days and Second we built in a flex day. That flex day gave us the freedom to move things around a bit when we needed too. After eight years of doing this and now 3 trips with EG I have found we try to cram too much into each day and never get everything done that we want to do. The first thing that we changed up was our trip to Minuteman Missile Visitors Center. We were suppose to stop on our way through South Dakota but weren't going to make it in time. So we decided to add that to our Badlands Day. Then we were suppose to stay in the KOA four 4 nights, go to the Lodge for 2, and then back to the KOA for 2 more nights. But we weren't enjoying our stay at the KOA. We decided to cancel the second stay because there were tons of National Forest camping surrounding us and we were pretty confident we would be able to get a site (not going to lie, a little worried because it was the 4th of July weekend). Our flex day was suppose to be our last day in South Dakota(Saturday) but because we thought we were going to have to find another campsite that morning we decided to push the Badlands to Saturday. Ended up there was a campground inside Custer State Park that would take same day reservations. We made a reservation on Thursday for three nights, just to make sure we had a spot for the next two nights AND it was still cheaper than 1 night at the KOA ;)

Since our campsite was already set up Friday morning and we didn't have to rush we decided to spend the day in Custer taking it pretty easy. We started at the education center, which has a junior naturalist program. They were doing a fishing program when we got there. EG jumped right in and started learning how to cast a fishing rod. She also went down to the creek with them to catch minnows. They walked through high grass to get there and I refused to walk through the tick filled grass, so did another mom from Arkansas. She was really nice we talked and compared all of our travels. They have been to all the Colorado parks and were in the Smokies for Spring Break. Also HUGE SHOUT OUT to Naturalist Ruby!!! She was fantastic!

After the program we got caught in a huge Buffalo Jam. We decided to drive into Custer to explore a little more. We had pie and ice cream at this place called the Purple Pie Place. It was pretty good, but not the best we have had. We also took a trip to the grocery store so we could cook at our campsite and I posted a blog post from the grocery store parking lot.

When we woke up Saturday EG and I surprised Daniel with something we have been cooking up the last few mos. Saturday 7/3 is officially 40 days until his 40th Birthday so he gets to open 1 gift a day until his Birthday. He got his first gift on Saturday which was a National Park version of travel Trivial Pursuit.

As we left the park for the day we went North on Iron Mountain Road, which I think is an underrated part of the park. They really talk up the Wildlife Loop and Needles Hwy. But this road was great! And it had two tunnels that allowed you to see Mt. Rushmore as you drive through. I would highly suggest driving Iron Mountain Road but make sure it is North ;)

We made it the Minutemen Missile Visitors Center. The visitors center is really nice and the video was great. I really learned a lot. And they had the stuffed prairie dog we have spent our whole trip looking for. It would have been nice to go down into the Missile Silo but you have to have advanced reservations....Oh well maybe next time.

Then we ventured on to the Badlands. It was HOT, 102 hot. EG did not like the hotness. There was a small hike Daniel wanted to do but it consisted of the ladder, and well EG currently has an irrational fear of heights. So we didn't think that would be the best thing to try in the heat. We drove the scenic loop. The park was pretty but....not on my top 5 or even 10 list. I prefer trees and water ;)