https://thefatherblog.com/the-first-national-park-trip
Many years ago as we started doing the vacation thing regularly, my son asked to see Mount Rushmore. I had to do some research to make sure there was plenty to do besides “seeing the faces” as the locals say in South Dakota.
I realized there was so much to do and that this would be a great first introduction to a different kind of hiking and a different view of nature than what we have in the northeastern US. So I planned it out and we headed to South Dakota.
While we were there, we hiked the Badland and Black Hills National Forrest and even stayed in a log cabin in the woods. We hiked the Sunday Gulch Trail (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/south-dakota/sunday-gulch-trail) which was absolutely amazing and beautiful and to this day still one of the most memorable hikes we have done as a family.
What really came out of this trip was a true love of nature and hiking for my daughter. She’s now in college and tries to get her friends there to go hiking with her whenever she gets a chance. Last year, she even started her own Instagram dedicated to her love of hiking (em_goes_hiking). I wouldn’t be surprised if one day she ends up working in one of our beautiful national parks.
Over her winter break, we’re planning a few days of hiking together down in Shenandoah National Park. Keep you all posted on that.
Have a great day and enjoy some pictures from that trip years ago!
