Vacation 2012 Part 4: Train Ride, Bear Country U.S.A. and Sturgis, SD

For as long as I can remember my middle son, Carter, has had a huge thing for trains.  He loved Thomas for a long time and is just now growing out of it.  But regardless he loved the opportunity to ride a real steam locomotive.  He could not wait for it to get going.

I asked him to show me his "excited riding a train face".  Boy did he ever.


Things we saw out of the window,





The next stop on our way was Bear Country U.S.A.  I LOVE this place!!!  All the adult bears you can handle, (and a few other animals), and then they have this place called Babyland.  It's ridiculous how cute Baby Bears are. 



BABIES!!!

Baby bears suck on each other's ears for pacifiers.


This is the same bear.  Not two different bears beside one another.


And my husband's favorite part of the whole trip:

We had just missed the rally by a week and I have to say I am quite glad.  It was quiet and calm and a nice walk.  The town is dead when the rally isn't going on.


On the way back to the campsite we took a scenic byway home.  It was through Spearfish Canyon.
If you've ever been that way, you know exactly what I'm talking about when I say the whole thing looks like a Thomas Kincaid painting.


Well that's the last of the photos from Vacation 2012.  I have to say, if you get a chance to go, do not fly.  If you don't have time to drive, don't go.  It's a beautiful drive and it shouldn't be replaced by flight.  Make sure you have lots of time because there is so much scenic stuff to see.  We ran out of time.  We didn't even get to see Devil's Tower or the highway where the wild burrows are or even Crazy Horse.  I hope you enjoyed all the photos.  Next post:  Cindy and Adam, Brother and sister shoot.


Live Greatly, Love Softly