Wind Cave National Park

  

After the dino dig, the kids and I drove about an hour east to South Dakota.  Our final destination was Wind Cave, a small national park in the beautiful Black Hills.  We checked into the Visitor Center, and then took the relatively short drive through the park in search of wildlife.

 

We were not disappointed as we slowed down to make way for a herd of spooked Buffalo stampede by, and then later watched a coyote hoping to nab a prairie dog for an afternoon snack.  These rodents are ever vigilant, and the coyote slunk away hungry and disappointed.

 

We then hiked to the top of Rankin's Ridge, where we could just barely make out the Badlands in the hazy distance.

 

After viewing some of the natural entrances to the cave (which allows the air to flow in and out, thus giving this natural wonder its name), we made our way down into the depths of the earth.  We opted to embark on the Natural Entrance Cave Tour, which eventually descends over 220 underground.  Groups of scientists and spelunkers continue to discover unexplored parts of this 150+ mile labyrinth.  

 

 

Wind Cave is famous for its geological features, such as its intricate boxwork formed by retreating limestone (seen above) and cave popcorn, composed of small pieces of calcite (see below).

Wind Cave unexpectedly became one of the kids' favorite parks.  There are several other cave tours, one of which is 4+ hours long and features belly crawls through stone tunnels only 16" in diameter.  Thane is already making plans to do this on his 16th birthday (the minimum age requirement).  Um, I think I'll let Jordan take the lead on that one!

We're Digging It

If you ever drive through southeastern Wyoming, you'll spy rolling hills, sagebrush, small buttes and endless prairie grazed by thousands of cattle.  Who would ever imagine that underneath this bucolic landscape lies the burial grounds of ancient creatures?

 

After a one year hiatus, the kids and I headed back to the Hansen Research Center in eastern Wyoming to dig for more dinosaur bones.  Drive 22 miles south of the nearest town; 15 miles down a dirt road (go left at all of the forks in the road); turn left on the cattle path in the middle of the field (be sure to close the gate behind you!); and then drive a further 3 miles across the prairie and around the stone outcropping to find the research center where we set up our tent.

 

 

From there, it's another mile or so to the various dig sites.  We were assigned spots in the south camp and immediately got to work.  Anabel found some unidentifiable bone fragments and several pieces of cartilage.

  

 

Thane unearthed a rather large bone toward the end of day 1, but as it will take a few days to unearth this specimen we'll have to wait until next year to discover exactly what kind of bone it is.  

 

 

 While taking a break, Thane and some other boys started sorting through a nearby rubble pile in search of hidden treasures.  The adults told them it was a useless task, but we were proved wrong when Thane found a fully intact (roots and all) Hadrosaurus tooth.

 

 

It was another great visit.

We are hoping that Jordan can join in the fun next year!

Gone Fishin'

Jordan's family owns a quaint cabin on a lake in northern Minnesota.  Since he was a kid, he has loved spending time there relaxing with family.  But mostly he enjoys the fishing.  For years, he's been enthralled with stories about the huge crappie catches to be had there at the end of May.  Because Jordan spent most of his life on the west coast and overseas, he was never able to participate in this epic fishing frenzy.  Until this year...

We are so grateful to Uncle Steve and Ant Sandy for inviting us to join in the annual weekend of fun.  We love our time at the cabin, but we were super excited to get to spend time with members of the family that we don't get to see often enough.  Despite the humid weather, excessive mosquitos and cottonwood pollen, we had a wonderful time.  We are so grateful to these awesome folks who let us come along for the ride:

Many thanks to each of you for your amazing hospitality, delicious food, hilarity and overall awesomeness.  You are all rock stars in our book!

Time Flies...

It's been a whirlwind spring here in Wyoming.  Jordan has been wrapping up a huge construction project at our local hospital, while I have been working 2 jobs:  one as a special ed para at a local elementary school and one for my former employer at the Johns Hopkins Department of Emergency Medicine.  The kids, meanwhile, have been focused on their studies.  It's hard to believe that tomorrow is the last day of school for the 3 of us.

In her fleeting moments of free time, Annabel continues to bake and spend time with Freya.  In the photo above, she is sharing a homemade dog treat she made to celebrate Freya's first birthday.

Thane continues to love the great outdoors and has done a bit of hunting over the past few weeks.  He didn't spy a big enough bear to shoot, but he did manage to snag his first turkey.  We are so grateful for God's bounty and are eating well these days!