The Black Hills Trip 2018
The students headed out on their trip on April 19, after school. We drove to our first stop at the Broadus RV Park. Janessa, James, and Mr. Mantei cooked us breakfast burritos to get us ready for a long day of learning and exploring. We first checked out the old Dinosaur Park in Rapid City and did a little geocaching. Then we went to the Air and Space Museum. Next was a fantastic drive to and around the Badlands National Park east of Rapid City. We ran into rainy weather so didn't go on any of the longer hikes. We checked into our sleeping arrangements then ate superb, 'epic' food at KOL, featuring a stone fired oven, and toured the downtown district and the Rapid City Presidents.
Our third day started with a visit to the Reptile Gardens, a grand adventure at Rush Mountain Park, where we toured a cave, and got to play an interactive video game and ride some rides. After a quick picnic we headed to Mount Rushmore, where Jadon found a relative's name who had worked on the monument. The students got a great treat when the pool at the hotel was actually up and running when we arrived.
Day four started with a tour and visit to the museum at the Crazy Horse Memorial. That was followed by another cave tour at the Wind Caves National Park. Two of our students were chosen from the tour group to lead all of the people along on the tour and to make sure no one was left behind. Janessa led the group and James was the caboose and they did a great job! The students got to rest on their drive to the Devil's Tower. They put on more miles as they hiked around the tower, some of them more than once. We picnicked again before hitting the road to Sheridan, Wyoming.
Our final morning, we explored the Don King Museum in downtown Sheridan. We then drove to the Little Bighorn Battlefield. We ran into a bit of weather, so didn't explore the trails too much. Some brave souls checked it out, but it was very cold, wet and snowy. Since we had more time, we took a cut across to Pompeys Pillar. It was closed so we couldn't see it, but we were able to discuss the history of the events there. We then headed home.
Our original plans were to camp on the trip, but about 10 days before our trip, the weather forecast promised weather too cold and miserable for camping. We ended up having to find whatever was available for our sleeping arrangements. It added about $600 to our budget, but luckily we had the money. We stayed in a trailer house at the RV park, a beautiful Airbnb apartment, and two hotels. Our whole trip cost $1650 for nine people.
Our third day started with a visit to the Reptile Gardens, a grand adventure at Rush Mountain Park, where we toured a cave, and got to play an interactive video game and ride some rides. After a quick picnic we headed to Mount Rushmore, where Jadon found a relative's name who had worked on the monument. The students got a great treat when the pool at the hotel was actually up and running when we arrived.
Day four started with a tour and visit to the museum at the Crazy Horse Memorial. That was followed by another cave tour at the Wind Caves National Park. Two of our students were chosen from the tour group to lead all of the people along on the tour and to make sure no one was left behind. Janessa led the group and James was the caboose and they did a great job! The students got to rest on their drive to the Devil's Tower. They put on more miles as they hiked around the tower, some of them more than once. We picnicked again before hitting the road to Sheridan, Wyoming.
Our final morning, we explored the Don King Museum in downtown Sheridan. We then drove to the Little Bighorn Battlefield. We ran into a bit of weather, so didn't explore the trails too much. Some brave souls checked it out, but it was very cold, wet and snowy. Since we had more time, we took a cut across to Pompeys Pillar. It was closed so we couldn't see it, but we were able to discuss the history of the events there. We then headed home.
Our original plans were to camp on the trip, but about 10 days before our trip, the weather forecast promised weather too cold and miserable for camping. We ended up having to find whatever was available for our sleeping arrangements. It added about $600 to our budget, but luckily we had the money. We stayed in a trailer house at the RV park, a beautiful Airbnb apartment, and two hotels. Our whole trip cost $1650 for nine people.