Me and the boys left on 8June17 and headed for the glacial lakes area where we spent two days fishing with a good friend. One day devoted to smallmouth and we caught plenty, largest was a 19" hooked and landed by my 6 year old. Fish averaged 15 or 16 with lots of 18" fish. Second day was crappie and white bass. Had a hard time convincing kids we could not keep anymore more fish. Crappie averaged 12" and largest was 15" caught by my 8 year old. They wore themselves out on the whites a fish every cast Nd most of the time all 4 of us hooked up each cast.

I am thankful I did not bring a rod trout fishing. I had a hard time keeping up with boys. We did the Calvin Coolidge back country trail for trout. We did a 3 mile in and 3 out trail and the kids would catch 30 or 40 trout on hike. Spent 3 days in Badlands. Camped in worst storm ever. From know on if rangers come by and offer to evacuate you, I will take em up. I was lucky that kids slept though storm. Boys loved hiking and fossile hunting. Wind Cave national park is awesome kids loved cave and park.

Spent rest of time in Custer State Park - plan was to travel Into Wyoming but boys were just having to much fun. Happy i was able to keep trip about them, and not make them move - we can do other Western states latter. Boys completed junior ranger program for Badlands, Wind cave, custer, and My. Rushmore.

We were able to canoe many of the lakes and catch trout. They loved climbing and hiking. I aged watching them get bolder with each new hike. Horseback riding was a hit ad was the wildlife  Best encounters was a Billiy and it's kid we encountered hiking and a Buffallo that meandered to within 75 yards of camp. Great time with boys. Long time for little ones to be away from mom, but am so proud of how well they did. Hope to get back to bwca next year.