The Black Hills camping trip--last weekend of July 2012

Grandpa hanging out by the camper and checking out the kids' toys

Papa and Ruby

Ruby and Cory on the waterslide

Papa and Scout on the waterslide

The girls went back up again and again and again

Checking out the sprinkler park

The bounce pillow--it was like a trampoline in pillow-form

Scout did the waterslide by herself many times as well

I cut off Cory's head, but I think you get the gist

Grandma and Papa were staying at the lodge, and the girls checked it out (and got a shower!)

On our walk back to the camper, in the dark with flashlights

The lobby of the lodge had an impressive bear statue

The next day we went to Custer State Park

While on the Wildlife Loop Road, you can glimpse a lot of amazing wildlife

Brake for Bison

We had some pretty good passengers

"Hi, Mom!"--taken in Wind Cave

Ruby and Cory in Wind Cave--Ruby wanted to be carried quite a bit

Inside the cave

I think as far as camping trips go, this one only barely qualifies as "camping." Why is that? Well, the KOA that we stayed at, The Mount Rushmore KOA outside of Hill City, is about the cushy-est place I've ever seen. Two pools, a waterslide, a sprinkle park, a mini-golf course, a bounce "pillow", a live music stage, bike and ATV rentals. several restaurants, ice cream parlor, and a variety of other entertainment options. Seriously, this is its own little city. With wireless. (Not kidding! The glow of many a laptop from inside many tents was a bit eery!)

The best part of our camping trip is that we had the opportunity to spend time with Grandma Margie and Papa Alan. It was so much fun to spend time swimming and eating, sightseeing and chatting. We took in a picnic in Custer State Park, and a trip through Wind Cave, but mainly the highlight was just hanging out together at the outstanding campground. I can imagine many return trips to the Rushmore KOA. It pretty much rocked.