Day 11

Today we only drove 2 hours to Badlands National Park. I have not been a huge fan of South Dakota in general. Maybe it is all the bikes or the not so interesting landscape or the touristy aspect of where we stayed but all that was forgotten when we entered Badlands. In my entire life I have never seen a place so magnificent.

This was our initial view driving into the park:

Here are about 10,000 more photos because this place is really really amazing:

We have no idea where our kids are (we wear the same outfit for multiple days now because we all smell like car food):

Family photo!:

This was a point at which I was alone in the car and I had a really really strong urge to just drive away. I am still wondering what made me stay. It is day 11 after all:

We managed a very quick picnic lunch after we arrived:

It was 95 degrees here today so our Cliff Walk was ummm... hot and everyone was really really cranky. This photo makes it seem somewhat pleasant!:

Heidi enjoyed pointing out the things that could kill us: No surprise there.

Look how warm they are:

We went to the visitor center after this where they had a solar program where you get to see the sun. It was awesome and Heath nailed all the questions and really impressed the rangers! I think they are planning to hire him as a volunteer astronomer, you'd think it would have been you know another member of our party that kind of impressed them but... well... um.. nevermind:

We are actually staying in Badlands National Park tonight at Cedar Pass Lodge. The kids were suprised that there is no pool in this DESERT but they are adjusting. Our cabin is pretty adorable though:

But because it is so hot out, this is the extent of my family's activity level:

Tonight we are going to do their night program on paleontology and then star gazing in one of the best night skies you can see in the US because this really is the middle of NOWHERE. This place has its name for a reason. We are all pretty excited about it.

Exploring the gift shop!:

Headed back to the cabins after dinner:

Our post-dinner hike (the cabins below):

Don't take your child to rock climbing class and not expect it to bite you down the road:

That's where I spotted Heath after he disappeared for 5 mins. I am obviously super good at watching children:

Sunset over the Badlands:

Tomorrow instead of going only to Sioux Falls we are actually going to power on through to Fairmont, Minnesota.