Devil's Tower

On our way home Sunday, we made a little detour in Northeast Wyoming to see Devil's Tower and hike around the base of this awesome National Monument (the very first one!). It was a definite highlight of this trip, and Garreth's favorite thing we did that weekend.

We couldn't have asked for more beautiful fall weather. It was such a cool place.

Now we need to rent "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and say "we've been there!"

Also on the way home, we stopped at Martin's Cove, only to discover that it was closed. We will definitely be making a trip back here.

Reptile Gardens

When we passed this place on the way to Mt. Rushmore, the kids decided it was a definite must-do.

Nacho found the prairie dog exhibit fascinating. It would have been so fun to let him loose in there.

Liam and a Komodo Dragon

Waiting for the snake show

Sam might be asking for an albino boa for Christmas this year.

Retro Dino Park

While looking for a park to get Nacho some exercise, we found this cool dinosaur park, built in the 1930's in Rapid City. I love that the dinosaurs all have such retro, cartoon-y, Flintstone-ish faces and that they're made from concrete so crazy kids like mine can climb them! Fun place!

The park was set on a hill, so we got this beautiful view of Rapid City. I just can't say enough how impressed I was with the Black Hills. Such a gorgeous place.