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We've been home for a few days now, and all of us are still recuperating from a very full and busy week in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This was the best vacation.......I want to go again! Especially to Bear Country 
We spent hours there, and I didn't want to leave in the end. It was so cool to be so close to the bears......they were just outside of our car. Then there were the bear cubs and grizzly bears at the visitor center/Babyland. The grizzly bears are just gorgeous, and the black bear cubs have so much energy and are just hilarious to watch. Very, very cute, but truly not so very cuddly.......all they wanted to do was chase, wrestle, and beat each other up! 
A short break to eat....short nap to recoup, then they were back at it again. 
We went to several places, but my favorites have to be Mount Rushmore, the Badlands, and Bear Country. Bear Country for obvious reasons 
.......Mount Rushmore was so inspiring.......the Badlands absolutely beautiful. I took tons of photos (almost 1200 in all that I've been going through since we've gotten home......it's down to about 400 now ), and am sharing links to the albums with slideshows hosted at Kodak Gallery. Please enjoy......and plan to stay awhile! There are more than 130 photos from Babyland alone! Lots of the adult bears too. Enjoy everyone! :hug:
Bear Country-Babyland: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.j … nn_speed=1
Bear Country, U.S.A. (adult bears): http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.j … nn_speed=1
Wall Drug, Wall, SD: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.j … nn_speed=1
Badlands National Park: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.j … nn_speed=1
Black Hills/ 1880 Town/ Mount Rushmore/ Rushmore Cave: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.j … 4856512307
Custer State Park/ Wind Cave National Park: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.j … 7456512307
Mammoth Site Museum, Hot Springs, SD: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.j … 6166512307
Reptile Gardens: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.j … nn_speed=1
Past Time BearsWow - Tracy, what a trip that was!! Very lovely scenery and exciting places! The Badlands reminded me a little of the Painted Desert in Arizona. There were two links that didn't work . . . the Mammoth Site Museum and Custer State Park. Thank you so much - I really enjoyed your vacation!
You're very welcome, Sue Ann.....I'm glad I could share my vacation with you! I think I managed to fix the links that weren't working. Let me know if there is still a problem.....they're working for me now. 
Waggle BearsTracy, I've only been through a couple of slideshows, but they're great pictures. Those sweet little cubs look like that have a full time job climbing trees and playing all day. The pictures of the Badlands were amazing. I never knew there was so much color, nor that there were high-top grassy areas. I'll check out more tomorrow.
Past Time BearsYou're very welcome, Sue Ann.....I'm glad I could share my vacation with you!
Yes, they're working now . . . thanks! Beautiful and interesting.
Matilda Huggington-beare And isnt the male grizzly magnificent. You got a couple of excellent shots of him. Thanks for sharing them with us. You must have had a brilliant time. The pictures of the Badlands were amazing. I never knew there was so much color, nor that there were high-top grassy areas.
I was honestly surprised when we got there......it was so much more than I expected. The colors were amazing.....just gorgeous. Was surprised too that there were grassy areas at all. Impressive that the settlers baled hay on some of the buttes. We visited the park at mid-day, but I read that the scenery is best viewed at sunrise or sunset. I can just imagine the shadows and bright color combinations.......wow! And it's supposed to be surreal on a moonlit night.....like an alien landscape.
those wee cubs must sleep well at night
They must!! 
They were nearly constantly on the go......always chasing after each other. The only time I saw them still was during that short nap with all 12 cubs in the log. Never a dull moment, I'm sure!
Those trees they were climbing are actually set into bases in the ground.......they can't grow the climbing trees in the enclosure because the cubs end up shredding them. I believe we were told they have to change them a few times by the end of the summer. I am not surprised, seeing the way those cubs were up and down them!
Nikkel BearsTracy - what an awesome holiday you and your family must have had. Your photos are superb - especially the Badlands and Mt Rushmore (oh, and the bears, of course!). I can imagine how the Badlands would seem very alien in certain light - it's very beautiful and striking. What sort of area does it cover? Do they have walking trails through there, or is it an area you just view?
I'm so glad you shared your pics with us - it's almost like being there - thankyou.
Marg 
LuxembearsWhat an exciting trip Tracey. That must have been quite a thrill to se them so many lovley bears up close.
PottersHouse BearsI just knew you would have a great time in SD. That is one of my personal favorite places. We were out there a few years ago. I played around in Custer State Park all day. I just couldn't leave the donkeys. They had several babies at the time. That whole area is just beautiful.
:hug: I'm so glad you guys enjoyed the photos.....I had to share them!! This was a huge deal for us.......we have never taken such a 'big' family trip before. I don't know if we'll ever top this one! It means a lot when both my boys tell me this was the "best trip ever" on the way home ..........
Do they have walking trails through there, or is it an area you just view?
Hey Marg :hug: ...........yes, there are walking and hiking trails of varying levels. We didn't have the time (or the energy at that point ) to do more than what we did there, but you could honestly make a whole vacation out of just exploring the Badlands. I read that you can walk or hike just about everywhere in the park......a big rule is no bikes or motorized vehicles are allowed off the roads. The tires cause too much damage, and the underside of vehicles can actually start a grass fire. There's tons of rules, but I think it would be worth it if you're really into hiking or even camping. Here's a link to the government website on the Badlands, if you're interested in learning more: http://www.nps.gov/badl/upload/BADL%20P … 202008.pdf
Posts: 1,836Wow! Awesome photos Tracy!! I would love to see that many lil' bears up close!!! Looks like you guys had a fantastic time :)
:hug:
~Chrissi
What fabulous photos Tracy and many thanks for shaing them with us.
I loved seeing the little bear cubs - so sweet and also the carvings on Mt Rushmore.
So glad that you had a great time and loved it when your boys said " that was the best trip ever."
Hugs
Carolyn 
