Moving on to the Mile High City- Cherry Creek State Park- Aurora, Colorado

We stayed a few extra days at Chadron State Park to enjoy the hiking, biking, archery and swimming!  We ended up staying 6 nights and will likely return in the future.

We rode through the woods on the grass trails and needed to stop to refuel and re-cool at a picnic area.  Caleb thinks the water pump cools you down quite nicely!

We also stopped by the archery center a few more times. Caleb says, “It was Very fun!”  With the temperatures in the mid 90’s we also hit the pool! 

 

On Sunday morning we decided it was time to move on to Cherry Creek State Park outside of Denver, Colorado.  We plan on swimming, bike riding, and maybe visiting the Denver Mint!  Although some of our activities sound the same, this is definitely a different setting than we just came from.  From rural Nebraska to urban Colorado, we’re in an oasis surrounded by the city.

Chadron State Park- Nebraska

We left the Black Hills of South Dakota for a short drive to Chadron State Park in Chadron, Nebraska.  We can add another state to our camping list!  This park is truly a gem!  It is Nebraska’s first state park and it is gorgeous!

Can you see our fifth wheel over there?  This is a shot from one of the many hiking/biking trails.

Here’s a closer look.  The campground is great!  The sites are plenty big, electric and have shade trees!  In addition to a great site, Chadron has lots of activities to keep you busy.

They have trail rides!  Caleb’s horse was named “Dallas” and he liked to munch on the tall grass along the trail.  The ride was set among the forest but climbed to some overlooks of the Pine Ridge.  It was our family plus the wranglers… our own private ride!  This was a great opportunity since we don’t have our own horses anymore.  And it was Caleb’s first long ride. 

After lunch we were off to the activity center.  They have a snack bar and crafts, but Caleb had his eyes set on the archery range!

Look closely!  That’s 3 for 3 in the yellow centered bullseye!
Next challenge?  Hatchet throwing! 
Wow we’ve had so much fun at this state park.  We’ve been swimming in their pool and played on their playgrounds.  They even have a pond to fish in and paddleboats to ride.  We decided to stay here for 4 nights, but who knows it could be more!

Black Hills- Spearfish Canyon, Air & Space Museum, DC Booth Fish Hatchery

We took a drive through Spearfish Canyon and along the way stopped at the Roughlock Falls.The area is beautiful- lush and green!
We followed that with a trip on Sunday to the South Dakota Air & Space Museum…with Chris as our “tour” guide.
This was one of Caleb’s favorites.

Can you see Chris & Caleb by the sign?  That plane was massive!
Later in the afternoon we ventured into Spearfish to the historic DC Booth Fish Hatchery.  This was the first hatchery in the country!
Caleb posed with this ancient ranger.
There were trout of all sizes and an underwater viewing area with the “Big Ones”.
 Tomorrow we head to Chadron State Park in Nebraska for Caleb’s 10th Birthday!!