7/8/06...Annabelle dressed for the "Laura look alike contest".  She was one of 66 contestants from around the nation.  I was astounded how far some people had come for this contest!

Annabelle on stage during the questioning part of the judging.  The girls were judged on their knowledge of Laura Ingalls, appearance and acting.  Annabelle didn't win - but had a great time anyway!

Nathaniel and Annabelle in a covered wagon outside the Laura Ingalls Museum in Walnut Grove.

We camped at Plum Creek Park.  Here, Chris and Annabelle are seen hiking on the gentle hills in the area.

Annabelle posing with horses used in the live performance of the Laura Ingalls story, performed at the amphitheater in Walnut Grove.  It was an impressive production with live animals and lots of special effects.

7/9/06...Standing outside the site of the Ingalls dugout described in "On the Banks of Plum Creek"

Annabelle - on the banks of the real Plum Creek!

Visiting a replica sod home at the Laura Ingalls museum.

7/10/06...The Badlands!  Desert and dry rock all around.  We had a mercifully cool day - it was only around 86 under cloud cover.  When we passed through on our way home - it was around 115 and sunny!

We hiked around some of the trails - Nathaniel loves climbing the rocks.  They also have a fantastic new (2006) visitor center.

Annabelle and Chris at an overlook in the badlands.

7/11/06...Our campsite in Custer State Park.  We stayed at Bluebell Campground and our site was nestled in the Ponderosa Pines at the base of the hills.  It was perfect!

The first morning we hiked up a small hill behind our site and found it covered in wild raspberries!

On that same hike, we encountered our first bison - a bull wandering on his own!  We didn't dare creep too close - but that brown mass in the middle of the photo is him!

The "begging burros"  of Custer State Park.  These are domesticated donkeys that roam free in the park - and will do just about anything for food!

Antelope were plentiful and we saw them daily. 

We took a long and hot hike on the Lover's Leap trail.  A challenging loop trail that took us a really long time to complete (I was beginning to worry!)

A bison passing in front of our van (that is our dashboard in the foreground.)  A whole herd marched past our van on the Wildlife Loop one evening.

Another shot of the bison from our van (you can see our side mirror in the left side of photo.)

7/12...Mount Rushmore!

Biking on the Mickelsen Trail.  We biked 11 miles round trip from Custer to the Crazy Horse monument.  

Annabelle and me with Crazy Horse in the background. It is hard to make out - but the face is in the center of photo - just to the upper right of my helmet.

7/13...Our campsite in the morning.

Annabelle and Chris enjoyed an hour long horse ride through the hills.  Annabelle's horse was named Hershey!

Hiking to a ridge behind our campground.

Annabelle thought the sites on the Needles Highway were cool!

Sylvan Lake inside Custer State Park. The kids watched these ducks bobbing for fish for a long time!

Hiking around Sylvan Lake.

7/14...View from Rankin Ridge Trail in Wind Cave National Park. 

Annabelle inside Wind Cave - an amazing site!  We took the "Fairgrounds Tour" - that took us 200 feet underground to the tight tunnels through the cave.

The cave was a bit much for me and Nathaniel.  I am  claustrophobic - and it took some courage for me to go.  As it turned out....the elevator ride down was the worst part - the cave passages were fairly roomy.  Nathaniel didn't do so well - and thankfully fell asleep!

The natural entrance to Wind Cave - a small hole where blasts of the cool cave air blow like a fan.  Other days, the air is sucked in, based on the barometric pressure outside.  Very interesting!

My hair blowing in the gusty cool air coming from Wind Cave.

Annabelle at a spring in Hot Springs.

A waterfall in Hot Springs.

Nathaniel and Annabelle participated in the junior naturalist program - and they are seen here receiving their awards!