Danielle Paschka

Aria turned 10! I always do big parties for the girls as part of content for my page but also because I love throwing a party & celebrating anything + everything! I asked her a few months before the big birthday if she wanted a big party or if she wanted to go on a trip! I then gave her an option.. do you want to go to Disneyland (they haven’t been to Disney yet & we have family in Cali) or South Dakota to see a bunch of stuff— I showed her pictures & videos of things I found on IG.

Aria learned a lot about geography this past school year + national parks which everything really interested her so she picked South Dakota! I honestly was really surprised she picked that but also was really excited because I’ve always wanted to go!

We saw so many beautiful & fun things! I honestly never knew there was so much to see but we saw a lot! We left DSM on Sunday mid morning & drove to Sioux Falls to kind of break up the trip! Got to Sioux Falls & checked into our hotel then went to see Falls Park in Sioux Falls! It was really amazing to see these.. I honestly didn’t even know it was a thing but it was really an awesome park! There is a bunch of flooding in NW Iowa and some Sioux Falls so the falls were flowing tons of water! It was really incredible! We had some awesome local pizza then relaxed the rest of the night!

We got up early on Monday & made the trek to Rapid City! We stopped at the famous corn palace & Wall Drug which was all very interesting to see! Do I think everyone should make a stop there? I would say no but if you are on the way & up for an adventure.. why not!

We got to Rapid City & checked into our hotel then hit the Reptile Gardens! The girls love anything to do with animals, wild life, etc. so I knew this would be a hit! There was a LOT to see here & it was for sure a hit with the girls! The girls got to touch snakes (NOT FOR ME HA!) & a baby crocodile! After the gardens we went to dinner at a local brewery & ice cream from a local ice cream shop!

Tuesday we got up early & drove to the Badlands! This was something I looked forward to so much! I absolutely loved how incredible this all was— we stayed there all day exploring & soaking it all in. Seriously so many cool parts. I loved it all so much! After the badlands we went to dinner at another restaurant we’ve never been to & a local cookie shop!

Wednesday we got up early again.. are we seeing a pattern here?! We went to Mt. Rushmore, Custer State Park, the Black Hills, Crazy Horse, & Bear Country. There was a lot to see & honestly it was so cool. I didn’t know how much I would get excited about Mt.Rushmore but it was really cool to see in person after reading & seeing it in text books from when I was growing up! So much information there to read about how it was made was really fascinating! The trail around the monument was really awesome too— we honestly couldn’t have asked for better weather too! It was in the high 60’s while we were there that morning!

We headed to Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park after Mt. Rushmore— it was honestly one of the most beautiful places I have ever been! So peaceful, so many things to see, & so much more! The drive up through the Black Hills to get there was pretty incredible too! I do think that was one of my favorite parts of the trip! We hiked, saw caves & waterfalls. We had lunch there then headed to drive by Crazy Horse then went to Bear Country! Bear Country was so cool! It a drive through wildlife park & we saw so many amazing animals. Bears, Wolves, Elk, Deer, Bison, & so many other things! We then got to walk through & see baby wildlife animals & the baby bears were worth it all so much! The cutest things ever.. The girls absolutely loved it. We ended the night with pizza at a local arcade restaurant!

We woke up on Thursday and hit the long trek home! It honestly was such an awesome trip & I truly do think South Dakota is super underrated after being there! If you love hiking, nature & seeing all the things.. consider a trip to South Dakota! It is for sure something you need to do once in your life!

Here are some pictures of the trip..

Xo, Dani