Where the Buffalo Roam

This summer marks our first being a family of three.  

With the exception of last year, Patrick and I generally like to take off for a bit of a vacation.  We have been saying for some time now that we need to head out to the Black Hills.  Stay in a little cabin, see the sights, relax in the "wilderness."  We've both been there before, Patrick as a boy and I in high school, but there is so much to do and see you probably wouldn't need to repeat any attractions if you didn't want to.

In my head, getting away to the Black Hills with your family is one of the most All-American family vacations that you could have.  I wanted that for my daughter's first trip.

I realize she was just nine months old.
We even had a man stop us and tell us she wasn't going to remember any of it.  But that's okay.  When she is older she can look back at the pictures and know we just wanted to do something special for her.  Maybe one day she'll choose to do the same with her family (assuming she'll grow up, although I don't have any plans to let her).

So, without going into a million details about it, here is our trip in snapshots...

First stop, Badlands

My attempt to get a picture of Callyn with the animals outside of our car at Custer State Park

Mount Rushmore

Bored to death... or to sleep

Checkin out the animals at Bear Country

Baby bear!

No clue where we are but she's waving

Sylvan Lake

Hey mom!

Baby's first casino!
Deadwood