First Day of Family Vacation

 Last Sunday we loaded the camper for a trip to the Black Hills with the family. OFD joined us for the ride to the other side of the state while the other E family made a stop in the Badlands for some hiking and sightseeing. 

As is typical when the seven of us get together, we play Farkle. Since the travel trailer is not big enough to seat the seven of us around the dinette and the first night cabin where everyone else was staying was not big enough, we played on the picnic table at our campsite.

Monday

The seven of us headed north to Spearfish to visit the D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery. Hubby and I were there last year with OFD and we thought the g'kids would enjoy seeing and feeding the trout.

ducks also like the fish food

Unlike last year, all the museums and buildings were open to visitors. We enjoyed seeing the first home and egg collecting/hatching room in that building. Then we headed to the second home of the director of the hatchery. Here is the blog post from our visit last fall.

restored train car

The cabinets that held the fish as they were transported from Yellowstone to Spearfish and other hatcheries are below the windows on the right. 

the kitchen area of the train car

This is the garden where Mrs. DC Booth entertained residents of Spearfish. She was a music teacher and recitals were held at their home and in the garden.

We had intended to eat lunch at Dough Trader pizza for lunch, but they were closed on Mondays so we found another fun place, Atomic Pizza. Each of us ordered our own pizzas and most of us had leftovers for another lunch. It was very good.

The younger E clan did some hiking and exploring of Spearfish Canyon after eating pizza. The older Es headed back to the campground for more games of Farkle.

A Gaga Ball Pit is a new addition to Hart Ranch this year. The g'kids have one on their school playground so know the rules and enjoyed playing with other camping kids the four days we were there.

Gaga is a variant of dodgeball that is played in a gaga "pit". The game combines dodging, striking, running, and jumping, with the objective of being the last person standing. Players hit the ball at each other with their hands, and are eliminated if the ball strikes them on or below the knee. ~ Wikipedia

Gaga is a fast paced, high energy sport played in an octagonal pit. The more players the better! Dubbed a kinder gentler version of dodge ball, the game is played with a soft foam ball, and combines the skills of dodging, striking, running, and jumping, while trying to hit opponents with a ball below the knees. Players need to keep moving to avoid getting hit by the ball. Fun and easy, everyone gets a serious workout. ~ Gaga Center.com