South Dakota bound- Day 8 (6/15)

We put in a long day Sunday!  We initially planned to find Wind Cave National Park and go to Hot Springs for the Mammoth Site, but apparently we are the only people ever who get lost on their way (forgetting a crucial turn South on 385 in Custer) and end up conveniently driving past Jewel Cave National Monument instead.  I guess I got a little confused, given there was no real address to put into the GPS, we just kind of winged it.  We did, although, get to drive on some very scenic (and when I say scenic, I mean gravel roads with no guardrail on the side of mountains with enormous drop offs.  Under construction.  Sigh.)  We only went about 17 miles out of the way (and back).  If we had went just a few miles further, we would have ended up in Wyoming.  Oh well.  We backtracked and pulled into Jewel Cave and saved Wind Cave for Monday!

Luckily, we only had to wait an hour and 20 minutes for our tour (after reading reviews, I guess that isn't too bad!) since it's first come first serve for tour times.  The visitors center had some exhibits and there was a .5 mi. trail to do outside, plus plenty of time to get bathroom breaks in.

They have such a special bond!

We did the 1 hr. 15 min. tour, the most popular one.  I'll admit it, it was tough.  Logan had not much interest in walking the 723 steps.  Happy Fathers Day Daddy, a sore shoulder!  There were enough stops to get rested, but it definitely would have been more enjoyable without carrying a 3 year old.  A lot of the steps in both directions were really steep also.  With wet, slippery railings and kind of dark.  Not a great cave for people afraid of heights either, lots of high staircases in open parts of the cave.  But, we did it and were glad that we did.  It's probably one of those things you should do while in the Black Hills.

 We've been on a hand full of cave tours and have seen some cave bacon, but I think this was the largest one yet!  It's hard to tell how big it is in the picture though.

After the cave, we were looking for a place to picnic.  I figured we might as well get one of the 3 scenic drives done since it was a nice day.  So, we set out to find Needles Highway in Custer State Park!  It was convenient to do after Jewel Cave.  Towards the beginning, we came across the Hole in the Wall picnic area which ended up being perfect.  There really didn't seem to be any picnic areas after that until Sylvan Lake, which was a good distance away, at the top.  

Luke being the brave one!

Our first tunnel, exciting!

About 3 minutes after this picture, Luke slid down the hill and scraped his legs all over.  Good thing for first aid kits.

It wasn't too busy until we came to Needles Eye, then we had to search for a parking spot.  I can't believe how congested it must be in July and August and having to take turns going through the tunnels!

Shortly after Needles Eye, we came upon Sylvan Lake.  Sylvan Lake is featured in the 2007 Disney movie National Treasure: Book of Secrets with Nicolas Cage.

We did the mile long trail around the lake.  Most of it was an easy path, some rocks to climb on to get through on the backside.  Great scenery!

 Break time!  For Logan.

 The beach.... I guess it's a summertime hot spot.  It didn't look too enticing to us being the time of day/summer, but hopefully we can try it someday.  If we get back to Custer SP again, it would be fun to rent a paddleboat or something also.

Someone was catching trout.

We left Sylvan Lake and journeyed back down to Custer for the Grand Magic Show.  What a fun time!  And they let you take as many pictures as you want, just no videos.  That's kind of rare!  The magicians wife happens to be from the Rochester area, so we talked to her a while before the show started.  Nice theater, comfortable seats, a really nice time!  The kids had fun getting taught some magic tricks from the nice young man selling souvenirs.

The show starts at 7:30 and I think Logan was curled up on his chair and asleep by 8.  No naps and all day sightseeing caught up to him.

There were a couple illusions that included the cute Great Pyrenees dogs!  After the show, the audience can go up and meet the dogs and cast.  The kids were in heaven!  Well, Logan was crabby from being woke up, but Emily and Luke got to love on them.  Another full day tomorrow... we made it to Wind Cave National Park and Hot Springs!