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Sadly
, Day 2 started with rainy skies and flooded fields. Those 2 forces of nature kept us from making it to the site BUT, all was not lost. Spirits rallied quickly when William and Dallas facilitated a casting and molding activity of T.rex teeth while Nicole, Michele & Steve executed plan B.
Introducing Plan B: A trip to Rapid City for lunch at The Fire House then down to Hill City for the Black Hills Institute of Geological Research. The Children's Museum has had a long-standing relationship with The Black Hills Institute for a number of 
years and they were happy to have us. Families enjoyed a behind-the-scenes look at the prep lab where they were working on Lane, the newest Triceratops find. This was a special discovery because Lane is a well-preserved Triceratops with amazing skin impressions! We were also able to check out an articulated Edmontosaurus cast so families could see where their previous day's finds came from.
After the institute, we toured through Custer Park and then down to Hot Springs. The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, South Dakota is the world’s largest mammoth research facility where you can tour an active paleontological dig site and view Ice Age fossils exhibited as they are found.
All in all it was a fun-filled day. The families were extraordinary and were still able make exciting new discoveries at the Black Hills Institute and The Mammoth Site. The weather promises to be warm and sunny this week and we're looking forward to our first ever Dino Dig wedding on Sunday so stay tuned...
