Warrior Dash, Le Seur, MN

People love the Warrior Dash.  I hate mud, so didn't want to do it.

I took the kids for ice cream.

Lake Superior 2016

We stopped at Banning State Park for quick hike on the way up to Duluth.

The Kettle River was very high and dangerous.

We spent the first night at Indian Point Campground in Duluth.

On Day #2 we took the train from Union Depot up to the Northern point of Duluth.

We visited the Duluth library.

Drew saw his first pay phone.

They had Minecraft on their computers.

Waiting for the train.

The second night we camped at Split Rock Lighthouse Park.

We had to cart in to our campsite.

We did some hiking and biking in the rain at Split Rock.

The 3rd night we camped at Finland State Forest on the Baptist River.

Drew practiced chopping wood.

We did couple hikes at Tettaguchi State Park.

Drew had lots of fun climbing on the rocks.

We swam in the Baptist River.

Drew had his first leech on his leg.

South Dakota

The night of our departure we stopped at Kris Sauer's house in Rochester.  She lives right next door to her son, so Drew had some art project time with Astrid and Frances.

Our first night in Spearfish was really hot, and Beth's kids were really excited to see her, so Drew and I went to dinner at a cafe.

On Saturday we found a refreshing and beautiful swimming spot in the Black Hills.  http://www.pactolalake.com/

Pactola Lake

It was so nice we all wanted to go back and camp there, but it was full.   The kids thought we should just camp on the pull out.

Of course, a visit to Mt. Rushmore was necessary.  Drew was so excited to tell his dad that he saw Mt. Rushmore.

We also visited some other small cities.  These are photos from Hill City, SD.

We camped at  Whistler's Gulch campground about 1 1/2 miles south of Deadwood.

Drew stayed up super late that night.  He learned how to start a fire, collect fire wood, and use a headlamp.

This was the old abandoned mine at the campground.

We drove about 4 hours and stayed in  Mitchell, SD. The only state with a corn palace.  We found a hotel with a water park, air conditioning and breakfast.  

Drew practiced jumping from bed to bed with all of his friends on his head.

I've always wanted to stop at Blue Mounds State Park in Luverne, MN.  We couldn't find the buffaloes, but we found the tipis that are available for group camping.

It was a fun trip.

We are off to Duluth next!