We made it to Wyoming last night and plan for a short and scenic day of driving through the countryside ending in Cody for a cowboy shootout. Yesterday we hiked in the Badlands some more and the kids earned their Junior Ranger badges! Lots of prairie dogs to see yesterday which was fun. Claire and Dave went to a cool astronomy viewing put on by the Park Rangers the night before. The number of stars we could see without a telescope was unbelievable, even the Milky Way. Despite the clear night, an unbelievable storm swept through the Badlands that night. Three hours of lightning and thunder like I've never heard or seen before. Did I mention we camped in a tent? My response to this experience isn't fit to print.

We did wake up to a clear sky and after spending most of the day in the Badlands drove to Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse monuent and then on to Gillette, Wyoming to sleep. We took it easy this morning and are headed back to the road now. Hope eveeryone is well!

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