Weekend came around once again and it was time for a new adventure.  In all the years we lived in South Dakota we have never explored the Badlands…and with a perfect 65 degrees afternoon in front of us, now it is time!

Being familiar with the layout of the Badlands National Park loop we decided to start our Badlands hiking experience at Notch Trail.  Notch is a 1.5 mile round trip hike that is moderate in difficulty.  The trail was to lead us through a canyon, up a log ladder to a ledge and up to “the Notch” for an expansive view of the White River Valley.  If you have a fear of heights…you might want to stay away from the edge.  That aside, the view is breathtaking!

Our 3 and 7 year old traversed the terrain with little difficulty.  I initially had mild concern how our youngest would do, but those little legs couldn’t be stopped.  The log ladder was a little slow going when you are assisting 2 children and lugging around photo gear.  After the climb we found ourselves stopping to take in the views of the walls around us, as they changed shape with the light.  The beautiful wall colors glowed in contrast with the perfect blue sky.

All this provided the perfect opportunity to teach our children about different plants and animals.  We steered them away from the beautiful cactus, and showed them the mud dwellings of flying insects….watched numerous birds circle and soar overhead, we felt as though we could nearly touch them once we hit the peak.  The quiet, sunbathed landscape was our playground for a good amount of hours!

After our decent and return to the parking lot near Window Trail, we listened to the beautiful songs of the frogs/toads in a small pool as we finished the day with a magnificent sunset alight with rich warm colors and a gentle breeze swept through making the whole experience beyond words.

All photos by Greg + Shawna V.

They came. They saw. The Black Hills conquered. Okay, maybe conquered is a little too strong, but the Washington Nationals’ Racing Presidents were absolutely thrilled with their three-day tour of our beautiful region. Of course, since it was Presidents Day weekend, the go-to spot was Mount Rushmore National Memorial, where the five Racing Presidents (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln and Howard Taft) met South Dakota’s “four faces.”

The weather was cool and clear, but the attractions sizzled! As these photos show, the stunning 12-foot mascots were matched by the spectacular buffalo herd in Custer State Park, the glistening snowmobile trails of Spearfish Canyon, the Wild West atmosphere of Deadwood, the urban action at downtown Rapid City’s Main Street Square and the pioneer showmanship of Wall Drug Store. Not to mention the patriotic impact of the Shrine of Democracy!

The promotional event was a collaboration between the Nationals and Black Hills, Badlands & Lakes Association, the region’s premier tourism marketing organization with offices in Rapid City. Fun times for everyone involved!

The town of Hot Springs is a sightseers delight, filled with nearby treats such as the Mammoth Site, Evans Plunge, Wind Cave National Park, Angostura Recreation Area, etc., but when you take a drive through the heart of the town you are immediately drawn in to this Black Hills community.

Hot Springs rests along Fall River and provides the traveler with a look into a historical past. On the exterior many of the buildings are made of sandstone, and yes, they are old; majority of the buildings were built around the 1890′s – early 1910′s.

My mom, being a first time passenger through Hot Springs, noted, “I am a history buff and I can only imagine the events and things that transpired in those buildings and in that town, my imagination goes wild.”

Hot Springs also features a city walk that will take you from the heart of downtown and along Fall River. On the path you will find the Visitor Center, a train car from the Burlington line, “Gift of Water” sculpture and fresh spring water that flows from a cliff. In the winter Hot Springs lives up to its name; you can actually see steam rise from the river.

If your travels bring you to Hot Springs and you have a little time on your hands, stop at this quaint town to experience its beauty and hidden treasures. It is a perfect venture for the first time traveler or a long time resident.

My mother recently made her second trip to South Dakota for the year. As usual, she thumbed through the South Dakota Vacation Guide and noted the Mammoth Site, in Hot Springs, has stood out over the years as a definite place to visit.

So off we went…this would be a first visit for both my mom and my kiddos.  I wasn’t quite sure how my 2 year old daughter would react, but I knew my son, 6, being the dinosaur fan that he is, would appreciate standing next to something so old and large.  My son’s jaw dropped at the grand size of the assembled mammoth when he first walked into the Mammoth Site, but the tour was just about to begin and there is so much more to see at the dig site.

The tour immediately led my family to the dig site for an informative walk thru of the project at hand.  My mother was in complete awe stating, “It is just amazing how the story can be put together just by revealing what lies in the dirt.”  I think it’s inconceivable for a six and two year old to realize just how ancient these bones actually are, but they sure took interest in what the tour guide had to say, plus there was the appeal a telephone has for a 2 year old.

After the guided tour we all took a little extra time exploring the Mammoth Site in more detail. You can get pretty close to the fossils from the designated viewing areas.  The museum offers plenty more to look at and you can also take an elevator down to the laboratory. You may not be able to get in, but you sure can see what they are working on through the glass.

All-in-all my mom and kids loved all there was to see at the Mammoth Site. It definitely satisfied my mom’s desire to witness something very old for the first time while having a great day with her grandchildren.