Day Two: Minnesota & South Dakota

Much more eventful day today! This morning we busted out several hours of driving and around 2:30 or so (Denver time zone) we arrived at Badlands National Park. Abby, Noah, Josh & I were amazed astounded by everything we saw around every turn. Esther wasn't so interested in seeing the rocks up close and therefore, Levi was OK to not get out of the car for every stop either.

Just before entering Badlands National Grassland, we spotted a goofy deer-type thing looking to cross the road. Abby screamed out, "It's a pronghorn sheep!! It's a pronghorn sheep!!" #1: only Abby would know that as we whizzed by at 75 mph and #2: I think she screeched it so loudly it's what caused the animal to turn away :)  After just googling what a pronghorn sheep was, exactly, I can now confirm that yes, indeed it was a pronghorn sheep.  We also saw a very fat black-footed ferret that we all decided was extremely pregnant because it was super-hefty. Then....

Note buffalo on each side of the road...

At this point they were too close for comfort. When Esther started crying because they were so close, we knew it was time to move on!

We arrived in Rapid City, SD for dinner and the night around 7 pm or so. Josh put it this way: we've had two 25 hr. days in a row, tomorrow will be a 24 hr day, and then one more 25 hr. day. Such a weird way to put it about the time zones! 

We're all doing fantastically and now that we're more into the 'vacation' aspect of the trip, it's even more enjoyable for everyone.  We've not really gotten too annoyed with each other crammed into the van yet, in part because the prior few weeks were soooo crazy. I really think we all missed each other and are beginning to reconnect as a family. Yippee! Got a few kinks to work out yet, but then we're all a work in progress, right?

Thanks for keeping us in your prayers. While you're at it, don't forget our friends driving the moving truck. They've taken I-80. Tracy, if you have an update, please leave another comment for us!