Sunday, August 17

 

Today was our last full day in the Black Hills as tomorrow we will start the two-day trek back home.  We slept in really late and then again switched between cartoons and shark shows over breakfast.  We then decided to head back to Reptile Gardens to see the animal shows we had missed before.  They had given us a free pass to come back when we were with the tour.

Derek was able to pet an alligator this time and we watched the alligator show again and then caught the trained animal show and the wild bird show.  Derek was also able to pet his friendly Galapagos Tortoise once more.  Derek put him to sleep again by scratching his neck.

We spent the afternoon swimming and this evening packing up our room.  It will be hard to say goodbye to the Black Hills, but we are both looking forward to being home.  Well, I am looking forward to it.  Derek, on the other hand, started crying when I told him it was time to leave.  At least I know he is enjoying his vacation!

 

Monday, August 18

 

 

We checked out of the Golden Spike around 8:00 and said goodbye to the Black Hills as we headed out on the road to Sioux Falls.  The Ramkota again will serve as a pit stop for us.

After being inundated with sign after sign for Wall Drug, we decided to stop and see what all the fuss was about.  What an odd but interesting place.  Derek and I had their breakfast buffet then browsed through the numerous shops and into the “Backyard” where we saw a T-Rex.  It’s quite an amazing place really and the story of it’s origins is quite interesting.

Since we were right next to the Badlands and our pass was still valid, we took the scenic loop again.  Derek’s job was to look out the window and tell me if the scenery was beautiful because my eyes were glued to the road to keep from driving off a cliff.

We drove the rest of the day and made it to the hotel around 5:30.  The driving was tough because while going 80mph, the crosswinds really can blow you around the road.  After settling into our room, it was time to hit the pool.  Derek’s big accomplishment of the trip was that he learned to swim.

Yes, Derek is now a swimmer!!!!  He needs more practice, but he sure is getting there.