Road Trip Day 12 - Needles Highway, Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, Badlands National Park, Custer State Park

I’ve been up in time to see the sunrise here twice now. It’s so beautiful and special to be up before everyone else and just spend time in His presence.

Another thing that is beautiful and special about being up early is getting to take a long, hot shower in this amazing bathroom. There are 6 of these bathrooms just a short walk from our site. There is also a fully equipped laundry room, and a nice big dish washing station.

Tenley and I washed the breakfast dishes here this morning. So much easier than using the tiny RV sink.

We spent some time at the playground before the pool opened and spun each other on the merry go round.

We heard a rumor that this park use to be Flintsone themed, and there is still reminence of that around the property.

As soon as the pool opened we found our favorite spots and settled in for a couple hours. This time another family was there with us and the kids eventually struck up a game of Marco 

Polo together.

Around 11:00, we showered, changed, grabbed the lunches we had already packed and headed out for an afternoon adventure.

First destination: Needles Highway and Needies Eye Tunnel. This was a really cool drive and it was fun to drive through the tiny tunnel. The place was also popular with motorcyclists and it was fun to hear them all rev their engines as they drove through in packs.

There were three of us moms in the parking lot with the same shirt on. I missed getting a picture with the third gal but this fun mom from Minnesota was willing to take a selfie with me.

This is the actual needles eye rock formation that the higheay is named after.

Sylvan Lake, Custer State Park

Just a pretty lake along the drive that I wish we had time to stop at and put the boat in the water.

We pulled into this coffee stand right before they closed and I was able to get smoothies for the kids and iced coffee for me to get me through the hour and a half drive to Badlands National Park and the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site.

Had to pump my own gas in the hundred degree heat. There’s not much I miss about Oregon (except all of you guys of course) when I’m gone, but I sure to like having my gas pumped for me back home.

I was able to stop and fly my drone a couple of times (not in Badlands, because drones are prohibited in national parks) but a couple random roadside stops.

I’ve always wanted to take an areal photo of a curvy road. I’m pretty happy with how these turned out.

Legion Lake, Custer State Park

Only got sprinkled on a little but we heard it poured rain back at the campground.

Stockade Lake, Custer State Park

Back at our “camp resort” for the evening, we ate hot dogs and corn on the cob and then played some Bocce Ball (well, Kenton mostly relaxed in a hammock... living his best life.)

Then Jenica and I sat around the campfire while everyone else went swimming. I sure love my quality time with this girl. 

Our last night here - we’ll be sad to say goodbye tomorrow. We could have easily stayed another few days and still had plenty to do.