Trip to Custer State Park, SD

It was a long drive to Custer State Park in South Dakota. We left at five am and arrived at the park at five pm. The registration for a campspot was complicated and after driving around even more, we finally ended up in a nice spot on Stockade Lake. My cell phone wasn't working here so we had to drive (again) to a lodge to call Kelsey to tell her where to find us when they came in the next day. After pitching the tent and starting a rip roaring fire, we celebrated with champagne and hot dogs. It was a beautiful evening and we slept well.

The next morning we drove up to Sylvan Lake, a lovely little lake surrounded by huge boulders and pine trees. After walking around the lake, we spotted a trail head and decided to load up our fanny packs and check it out. It was rather demanding in places and we were aching by the time we returned to the car. By the time the Grays joined us back at the campground, the wind was picking up and the clouds gathering. Charis played at the playground, we took showers, and cooked up spaghetti. It was really too cold to enjoy sitting by the fire so after some roasted marshmallows, we all turned in at 7:30. It rained during the night and we learned the next morning that the Gray's tent leaked. I will let her tell that story.

To be continued....

 
Sunrise in northern Kansas

 
Hike at Sylvan Lake. We were feeling this one later.

 
Our campgroud at Stockade Lake

 
Charis enjoying roasted marshmallows.