Rapid City, South Dakota

We didn’t have a full day in Rapid City, just a morning so we could see Mt. Rushmore.  I know it’s just faces carved into rock but I think it is pretty spectacular.  As we headed out of town towards the monument, Munchkin fell asleep.  She was so predictable. We had been hoping she would stay awake but no such luck.

On the way to Mt. Rushmore you pass all kinds of different attractions, trying to pull you in.  One of them is Bear Country USA.  Mom & I had seen billboards for it.  As we’re driving out one of us casually mentions how next time it would be cool to stop there and see some bears.  The other agrees and we realize both of us wanted to go but didn’t want to say anything cause we didn’t think we had the time.  Once we realized Munchkin was asleep, we decided to stop and see how long it would take and how much it was.  If you only do the driving part it’s about 45 minutes and we didn’t think it was to expensive so we decided to do it.  All in the name of letting Munchkin get in her morning nap so she would be less grumpy later on.  We didn’t mind the sacrifice at all!

Bear Country USA is a drive through wildlife park.  There are other animals though bears are the main attraction.  We saw Elk, Arctic Wolves, Big Horn Sheep, Mountain Lions, Bison and of course Bears.  Lots and Lots of bears!  It was awesome. If you’re ever out this way, take an hour or so out of your day and stop.  You’ll be glad you did!

Munchkin slept through the whole thing, she even slept through my mom running into the gift store to buy her a stuffed black bear.  We drove on out to Mt. Rushmore.  I think it’s amazing.  We did have to wake Munchkin up once we got there but I put her in the Ergo and she was good to go.  I had wanted to hike the area a little but mom’s foot was bothering her so we didn’t get a chance too.  We browsed the gift shop and then ate lunch there.  I had a bison burger and it was delicious. 

 

We snapped a few more photos and then got on the road to our next destination, Sheridan, Wyoming.  From there, we were headed to West Yellowstone in Montana.  Mom was super excited as we were heading to Yellowstone National Park.