Road Trip Part 2

We hit some Black Hills classics today:  the 1880 Train, Cosmos, and Bear Country USA.  When purchasing tickets at all these venues Sara had the opportunity to respond to the "have you been here before?" question with "yeah...like 30 years ago."  The more things change, the more they stay the same.

The 1880 train:  We had a very enjoyable train ride in an old stream locomotive from Hill City to Keystone.  The round trip takes a little over 2 hours, with a quick layover in Keystone.  It is a pretty sedate ride.  I enjoyed it greatly and, despite having to sit relatively still for 2 hours, the girls seemed to enjoy it too.  They did get a box of popcorn each on both the way out and the way back.  That may have helped with the sitting still part.  It definitely helped with the lack of bathrooms on the train.

Engine at the station in Hill City

Cruising through them hills

Engine motoring to the other end for the return trip

Popcorn train

Lucy witnessing a rockslide that nearly took us out.

Cosmos:  This was an interesting little attraction - probably my favorite of the day.  Nestled in the woods are a number of buildings and "exhibits" that showcase the strange energy found on this particular hillside.  I am not sure about the energy, but the optical illusions were intense, and for Sara a bit tough on the equilibrium.  The girls took part in a couple of demonstrations.  Lucy was a little disappointed Stella got picked for two AND got a sticker.

Lucy sure is getting taller

Wait a minute, no she's not

This room was pretty disconcerting to walk in

Truth chair:  Answer truthfully, you fall back.  Lie and you fall forward.

Whew!

Bear Country USA:  I feared this one, but was pleasantly surprised.  While it still involved a lot of wild animals in captivity, which is always a little depressing, they do appear to have it better than they would in a zoo.  The drill involves driving your car through a large acreage were you see a variety of species, although the namesake bears are the highlight attraction.  It was hot today so most were pretty docile. The girls seemed more interested in eating and Sara's equilibrium was still off, so Bear Country felt like a bit of work.  We did hit the gift shop.  Stella got mouse ears, Lucy a stuffed animal in a purse, and Sara slippers.  I got a credit card receipt.

Mount Rushmore tomorrow!

Blitzen got a summer job

A badger expressing the general mood amongst the animals

This was THE highlight.  Grizzly bear enclosure.  Hot day. Grizzly's probably hanging in there. He's a grizzly bear right?  He ain't interested in this BS.  You can almost make him out....

Through the miracles of over exposure and digital photography it is confirmed! He's hanging out, sitting back relaxing.  Probably got a six pack in the den. If he had fingers, he'd be flippin us off.  Hope you got your money's worth suckers!