Black Hills Getaway (winter)

Our family decided start the new year with a family get away in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The best part of these trips is that we have no plans, no schedule, just quiet family time, no WiFi, and just a lot of relaxing.

We rented a friend's cabin on Edelweiss Mountain near Hill City, SD which is a perfect location for vacationing in the Black Hills, halfway between Custer State Park and the Northern Hills. We are so grateful for this little piece of paradise that they shared with us!

The first full day we stopped at a local cafe in Hill city for breakfast and then drove the Wildlife Loop through Custer State Park. Its always a favorite for the kids to see the buffalo roaming around the park and the friendly burrows that welcome visitors. The boys were on navigating duty and learned some map reading skills too!

An evening snow storm kept us home at the cabin, curled up by the fire and playing games with the kids. Below are some of their favorites we took along.

Morning sledding and a hike through fresh snow worked up an appetite and we headed to Deadwood. Besides casinos, this little town is rich in history and always a favorite stop in the hills. The Midnight Star one of my favorite spots in Deadwood recently reopen under new ownership and we were excited to stop in at Diamond Lil's for a great lunch! If the kids hadn't been along we for sure would have stayed for some blackjack.

Back at the the cabin, as the snow was starting to fall, I was able to sneak away for a walk on my own before dark. There are few things that are more peaceful than spending an hour alone in the woods with nothing but the sound of nature.

The Black Hills are a popular vacation spot in the summer, and rightfully so, but if you ask me the real beauty of this place is during the winter.