Our 13th State and our 23rd Park was the HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK in Hot Springs, AR

Hot springs in the middle of town?

Water. That's what first attracted people, and they have been coming here ever since to use these soothing thermal waters to heal and relax. Rich and poor alike came for the baths, and a thriving city built up around the hot springs

The spring water coming out of the group is over 140 degrees!!

 I think they said there are 46 springs which are "capped" and look like this.

This park has preserved Bath House Row and the Hot Springs.

This is inside one of the old bath houses

All spa services were available, showers, baths, massages

Even a gym!!

The Park's Visitors Center is in one of the bath houses.

View National Parks in a larger map

After our Labor Day trip we have visited 22 Parks in 12 States on our way to 50 Parks in 25 States  The sunbursts on the above map represent the parks we have visited.  The little trees are parks on our radar.

Minuteman Missile NHS 21st Park, 12th State

On September 2, 2012 we visited The Minuteman Missile National Historic Site in near Wall, SD our 21st Part in our 12th State.

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is the only National Park Service site devoted to Cold War History! The contact station is the starting point for all ranger-led tours of a Cold War era Launch Control Facility which controlled the operation of ten Minuteman II missiles for over 30 years. The contact station also includes exhibits, and artifacts as well as a brief orientation video that places the Minuteman Missile system in the historic context of the Cold War.

Yes, this is a Minuteman Missile in its silo not far from the highway near Wall, SD

The missile has been deactivated and the area is no longer restricted, or at least I don't think it is still restricted....

The first picture above was taken down through this glass.  I am sure when the missile were active this see through glass was not here.  This was Delta-09 Missile Silo.  From your phone, where you are now, you can listen to the whole story by dialing 1-605-301-3006  start with 1.

The missile is located behind me.  You can see the chain link fence and the Restricted Access sign

 The Visitor's Center is located 15 miles from the D-09 Missile in this "double wide"



NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM  12th State 22nd Park
The National Park Service administers many of the long-distance trials forming the National Trails System.  These include National Scenic Trails (NST) and National Historic Trails (NHT).

On our way back to Kansas from South Dakota we stopped at Lewis and Clark NHT in Omaha, NE.  They had an excellent 25 minute film describing the trip of Lewis and Clark.

Midwest Regional Office, "Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail" Omaha, NE

The stamps available in the National Trails System are numerous for each trail.  In our quest for 50 parks in 25 states we are only counting one stamp for each National Trails System, although they do meet the criteria of the "Ironbutt National Parks" challenge.

We started this trip in Leawood, KS on Friday August 31, 2012 and returned back to Leawood, KS on Monday September 3, 2012.  We traveled 1,832 miles.  At our stops at the National Park's Visitor Centers, besides the Lewis and Clark stamp, we also collected s  

Badlands National Park 20th Park in 12th State

Good Times at the Badlands

People are drawn to the rugged beauty of the Badlands. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient mammals such as the rhino, horse, and saber-toothed cat once roamed here. The park’s 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live today.

Our 20th Park still in our 12th State was Badlands National Park.  We went to the Visitor's Center in Interior, SD   http://www.nps.gov/badl/index.htm

Aptly named the Badlands!!  Or this could be the moon!!

We couldn't believe this place.  It was like something we had never seen before.  Prairie grasses, mounds, colors, Prairie Dog Towns.  We must have taken 100 pictures.

The park was completely open to visitors.  People we hiking, bicycling and climbing everywhere.

You would think this sign would discourage the tourists--not in the least!!

The road through the park from Wall, SD to Interior, SD was 23 miles!!

Our 19th Park in our 12th State was Mount Rushmore National Memorial in Keystone, SD. 

The is no way a picture can do this justice.  You have to see it in person.  Simply awesome!!

American History, Alive in Stone...

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is visited by nearly three million people each year that come to marvel at the majestic beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota and learn about the birth, growth, development and preservation of the country. From the history of the first inhabitants to the diversity of America today, Mount Rushmore brings visitors face to face with the rich heritage we all share.

 Mount Rushmore is located in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota.

The entrance is spectacular and we where so happy to be here.

A peek from the backside

I really don't have the words to describe or the pictures to show.  You really need to see this one

The park is free but parking is $10 and there is no where to park but in their lot, but it is definitely worth it!!

Our 18th Park in the 12th State was Wind Cave NP, located in Hot Springs, SD

http://www.nps.gov/wica/index.htm

Hidden beneath the rolling prairie of the southern Black Hills is one of the world’s longest caves

We arrived here on 9/1/12.  I guess because it was Labor Day Weekend this park was packed.  Lots of school groups and tour groups.  We could hardly find a place to park.  The cave is only accessible via a guided tour and we did not have to time to wait.  We got our park stamp in the Visitor's Center and headed for Mount Rushmore.