South Dakota Vacation

It's day three of our vacation. Day one was highlighted by our trip to the Wild Water West Water Park in Sioux Falls. To say Kenz was excited would be an understatement of epic proportions. Though once we got into the park, her enthusiasm ceased. The water was freezing and she was scared, until we got her a life jacket. Once Kristie, Cody, and KoKo took her to the wave pool, things turned around for her. Then we took her to the waterside and she had a blast. The steep tunnels were my favorites. They made me scream like a little kid on the way down.

The highlight of day two was our after hours tour of Jewel Cave in Custer State Park. Kristie's step mom, Lori, works for the park an gave us the tour. Kenz had gone on it in the spring so she was Lori's assistant. The best part, though, was that Casey was able to get signed up for a special guides tour of a remote section of the cave, which is totally down his alley when it comes to extreme sports. There was a small cement test hole that one had to fit through before being able to go on the tour (Casey made it through. As did Kenz, Cody, and KoKo - I only had a bit of trouble getting through it. Ha ha. I couldn't get my fat head through it actually). We also took a scenic route through the Badlands, which was fun and, well, scenic.

As for day 3, we may check out Flinstone village in Custer and go for a hike. This morning I'm catching up on some reading, "Write Beside Them" by Penny Kittle. Just because I'm on vacation doesn't mean I can't get better at teaching!