Dress warm for the South Dakota State Parks weekend “Walk in the Park” program. These are held every weekend throughout the month and feature a wide variety of educational programs. These are guided hikes that give you the opportunity to learn about the parks and the wildlife that reside there. In the winter months enjoy snowshoe stomps, hikes, the Bald Eagles and other animal events. Events are held on the weekends and at various times and at different parks. Be sure to check the South Dakota State Parks site for more information for planning.

The Annual Artists of the Plains Art Show and Sale is held in Sioux Falls every February. The event is the longest running regional art show that promotes artists from the area. The public has the opportunity to view art by twenty-five invited artists. Themes range from Western and Native American to wildlife. There is also a silent auction that is held to give you the opportunity to purchase some of the art yourself. Awards are also handed out to the best of the show for paintings as well as three-dimensional artwork.

The National Music Museum is located on the campus of The University of South Dakota in Vermillion. The museum is filled with more than 10,000 instruments from various cultures and eras. They also offer audio tours that will lead you through the massive collection of musical instruments and artifacts. In South Dakota you have many options of things to do in February. Whether you want to stay warm and browse the many museums or enjoy the snow and learn to snowshoe, the options are endless.

1. No preference for custody. Chapter 25-4-45 makes it very clear that the state has no preference for either parent regarding custody. The mother and father both have an equal chance to be the custodial parent. Thus, when a parent shows the custody schedule to the court, there need to be valid reasons why that schedule is the best one for the child. The court will want to know how they schedule fulfills the child’s needs, promotes the child’s welfare, etc.

2. The best interest of the child. Chapter 25-4-45 also explains that all custody matters must be settled in a way that benefits the child. Everything in the visitation schedule should be in the child’s best moral, mental, and physical best interest. Parents should think about what their child needs and make the schedule accordingly.

3. The child’s preference. The law specifies that as a child gets older, the child has more say in the custody and visitation schedule. The court will listen to the opinions and desires of a child regarding custody matters, and more weight is given to a more mature child. Parents can seek the opinion of the children when making the schedule. They should consider their children’s wishes as they make the schedule and they should talk to them about why they are putting certain things in the schedule, especially if they aren’t following the child’s wishes.

4. Factors that influence who gets custody. Chapter 25-4-45.5 and 45.6 contain some of the factors that the court does and does not consider when deciding which parent gets custody and how the parents will work out visitation. If a parent has been convicted of domestic abuse or other crimes, that parent may not be awarded any visitation in the agreement. There is the possibility for supervised visitation if a parent shows that they want to change. If a parent has been convicted of the death of the other parent they will also not receive visitation or custody.

Geography of South Dakota
South Dakota is located in the North central part of the United States and is considered as a part of the Midwest. The great plain covers most of the regions of the state. South Dakota is also considered as part of the West. A river called the Missouri River stretches through the central part of the region.

South Dakota has a land area totaling up to 77,116 square miles, making it the seventeenth largest state in the union. The longest and largest river in the state is the Missouri River. Other South Dakota rivers include the James, White, Cheyenne and the Big Sioux.

It also have numerous natural lakes mostly found in the state’s eastern portion. The dams along the Missouri River are results of four gigantic reservoirs. These reservoirs include Lake Sharpe, Lewis Lake, Clark Lake and Lake Oahe. However, it is also noted that the Francis Case also contributes to this.

Climate
The Climate of South Dakota is described as continental. It has four distinct seasons that would range from hot summers to very cold winters. During the summer season, the average temperature of the state is nearly ninety degrees Fahrenheit. In South Dakota, it is not that unusual to have severe hot and dry spells, especially during the summer when temperatures rise above one hundred degrees Fahrenheit.

It also has an average annual precipitation ranging from semi arid to the north western part of the state, which is around fifteen inches or equivalent to three hundred eighty one millimeters. It is common to have semi humid conditions in some parts of the southeast region of the state. That is around 25 inches or 635 millimeters. There is a tiny area centered along the Black Hills and this has the highest recorded precipitation, going up to nearly 30 inches or 762 millimeters every year.

Attractions
South Dakota is also home to several National Parks and Monuments. Their National Park Service are responsible for protecting these attractions for the sake of tourism and for future generations. It has two established National Parks, both of which are situated in the state’s south western regions.

The “Badlands National Park” was established in 1978 and features a brightly colored, highly eroded landscape surrounded by grasslands. Another attraction is the Wind Cave. It is also a National Park. It was established in the year 1903, also along the Black Hills. It contains a very extensive network as well as large herds of bison.

Crazy Horse memorial: This memorial began in 1939 being carved by the great artist Korczac Ziolkoski; it is a tribute to all the American Indians. It remains unfinished as Kiolkoski’s family continues the legacy to complete it. When it is done, it will become the world’s largest mountain sculpture ever carved in history. Many people flock to crazy horse to get a glimpse of what might exceed Mount Rushmore in notoriety.

The Black Hills Caves: South Dakota houses many of the world’s largest and most vast caves that exist on this planet. It has two major distinctive national parks, Jewel Cave National park, and Wind cave National Park. South Dakota has eight caves that are open to the public, but many more that are closed. The caves that exist here are known to be the most enveloped, and contain the most intricate tunnels of all the caves that have been discovered in the United States. The Jewel Caves were named after; the apparent shiny reflections that the caves crystals cause to expel like prisms.

The Corn Palace: Unlike the many structures that are housed in South Dakota this monument is not made of granite. It is a palace made of corn. It was developed in 1892 to display and expose South Dakota’s ecological contributions to the United States. It is free for the public to view, and is one of the most uniquely intriguing form of architecture that has been built.

Laura Ingles Wilder: Visit the origin where famed author Laura Ingles Wilder changed the history of literature by writing several of her Little House on the Prairie books. View the actual house that she lived in, and basks in the setting she so well described.

The Missouri River: Running right smack down the middle of the state of South Dakota is the Missouri river. This river is a portal for tourists to enjoy the outdoors by entertaining themselves with recreational activities such as, fishing, camping, swimming, and kayaking.

Mount Rushmore: Of course no trip to South Dakota would be complete without taking in the Mount Rushmore location in Keystone, by getting your breath taken away by the monumental memorial that represents the great Presidents of the United States. Now known as the world’s largest mountain sculpture, Mount Rushmore continues to draw millions of spectators to its panoramic nostalgia.

Badlands National Park

This Unites States National Park is situated in the southwestern South Dakota. It is marked by formations and rugged terrain that resemble the science fiction landscape of another world. It contains the largest mixed grass prairie in the U.S. this park is also contains the world’s richest fossil beds from Oligocene epoch.

Wind Cave National Park

This park is situated close to the town of Hot Springs in western South Dakota. A large number of cave tours are available, varying in difficulty and length. Tours include Garden of Eden Tour, Natural Entrance Cave Tour, Fairground Cave tour, Candlelight Cave Tour and Wild Cave Tour.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

This Unite States National Memorial is situated in the American state of South Dakota. This memorial features the faces of 4 former Presidents of the United States of America including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. This memorial is a project of colossal ambition, colossal proportion and colossal achievement. The entrance to this memorial is free.

List of Hotels in South Dakota

Dakota Pines Inn

This hotel is situated close to the Rushmore Mall and Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. The hotel is 10 miles away from the Bear Country and 20 miles away from the Mount Rushmore Memorial Monument. Every morning at this hotel is begins with continental breakfast and complimentary coffee. It features about 37 spacious and fully equipped guestrooms, an indoor swimming pool, laundry facilities and spa tub.

All guestrooms have satellite television, clock radio and coffee as well as tea maker, work desk and hairdryer along with iron with ironing board. The hotel’s complete address is #1313 N. Lacrosse Street Rapid City, South Dakota. Check-in time is 1:00 pm and checkout time is 11:00 am.

Sheraton Sioux Falls Hotel

This hotel offers moderately priced guestrooms with access to the Convention Center. Throughout your stay, enjoy an indoor swimming pool, fitness room and whirlpool. In the hotel’s attractive lobby, guests will find a waterfalls set in attractive botanical atrium.

It features about 243 guestrooms with satellite television, refrigerator and coffee maker along with a mini-bar and iron with ironing board. The complete address of this hotel is #1211 N West Avenue Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Holiday Inn Express Suites Mt. Rushmore

This hotel is situated at the base of Mount Rushmore in the busy town of Keystone South Dakota. The hotel features 62 guestrooms, an indoor swimming pool, photocopy service and high-speed Internet access. All guestrooms have color television with many cable channels, refrigerator, tea and coffee maker, work desk and high-speed wireless Internet access. The hotel’s complete address is #321 Swanzey Street Keystone, South Dakota.

One distinct feature of South Dakota real estate is the group of low mountains vastly covered by pine trees, known to the residents as the Black Hills. Because of its appearance, it has become one of the tourist attractions of the state, apart from this; it has been a religious sanctity of local people living there, particularly the American Indians. Black Hills is rich with minerals, and in fact the largest gold mine in the United States is situated here, the Homestake Mine. The place was also one of the many choices being considered by the United Nations to be its permanent home.

Currently, South Dakota’s economy is stable, making South Dakota real estate profitable too. It is mostly of wholesale and retail trade and agriculture. It is an important manufacturer and exporter of agricultural crop. Main products include beef, corn, wheat, port, soybeans, wool, mutton, oats, sunflowers, alfalfa and poultry. Through exporting, South Dakota real estate has facilitated boost its farm income.

Insurance and finance is also a leading industry in South Dakota. Health, educational and government services are the segment that make use of most workers. It offers the finest economic environment for free enterprise in the nation. It is regarded to have an appealing business climate. The State claims to have the second lowest rate of crimes in the country. It does not impose income tax either personal or corporate. Its unemployment rate is lower than other states.

There are four different seasons in South Dakota, ranging from very cold winters, below freezing point to extremely hot summers, sometimes only cooling down in the evening. The summers brings to South Dakota real estate frequent thunderstorms, and in some part of the state, tornadoes also. During winter snow blizzards could be experienced during storms.

For travelers around the world, there are many places to consider when you are in South Dakota. Apart from the famous Black Hills, it has the popular Mount Rushmore National Museum making up the Shrine of Democracy. The sculpture of the four American presidents, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln is carved in this mountain.

A person who is significantly above their healthy weight is said to be obese. Healthy weight is calculated in terms of individual body mass index (BMI), but actuarial tables generated from insurance industry statistics are used to determine the actual healthy weight in pounds for persons of various ages, builds, and heights. Your doctor can go over these data with you to determine if you are obese, clinically overweight, or at a healthy weight. Many of those suffering from obesity have tried everything to lose weight – celebrity diets, brutal exercise regimens, even those snake-oil “medicines” advertised on late-night TV. Some who have tried these methods have lost weight, true, but many others have accomplished nothing other than ruining their health.

When all else fails, doctors can counter a patient’s obesity by physically limiting the amount of food – and thus calories – that he or she can consume. Surgical weight loss – also known as bariatric surgery — has been proven to help ease (and in some cases completely resolve) obesity-related health problems, as well as lessening their chances of developing weight-related health problems in the future. The procedures (there are three types) are performed under general anesthesia, most laparoscopically.

Weight loss surgery is not a cure-all for being fat. Patients must be prepared for a complete change in lifestyle for the surgery to have the desired long-term effect. Those patients who fail to follow postoperative instructions may regain any weight lost. These operations also involve certain risks, which include infection, nutritional deficiencies, ulcers, hernias, and gallstones. Obese patients should always consult with their physician before making any decision regarding surgical weight loss.

The best place to fish for walleye is in locations where the water is reasonably deep and has a surface of rock, gravel and sand. The walleye fish are primarily found in lakes that have cold water; however, it has also been found in some locations that have warm water. The walleye fish are very popular as they taste great and have white flaky flesh. There are a vast number of walleye fishing lakes within the area of South Dakota; therefore the anglers within this area are very lucky. The major walleye fishing lakes within the area of South Dakota include Belle Fourche reservoir, Lake Albert, Lake Kampeska and also Lake Madison to name a few.

The fishing records that exist show that a record number of walleye was caught in Lake Sharpe, which is located within South Dakota. The walleye spawn in South Dakota during the spring months, and they can either choose to migrate from the lake and swim up into feeder streams or they can find the shallow shoals and bars that have clean water at the bottom of the surface close to the deeper water. Most of the species of walleye will eat just about anything that they can catch in their mouths. However, they actually prefer smaller fish and they will happily also eat insects, worms and crustaceans. Most walleye tend to be a bit wary, and they much prefer to stay within the deeper waters where it is dark.

There are a lot of fishermen that believe that it is best to fish for walleye between sundown and midnight, and this is especially the case during the warm summer months. There are also a lot of fishermen that believe that it is best to fish for walleye in South Dakota using crank baits, live bait, small spinner baits and also some versions of the plastic grubs and worms. The best way to fish will depend on individual preference, and what works for one fisherman may not work for the next. However there are some fishing tips, which are a good basis to work from.

1. Echo Valley Park Echo Valley Park is located in Echo Valley Road Cluster in South Dakota. It is a great camping place available at reasonable price. It is a peaceful campground located near to Crazy Horse Mountain. Some of the facilities provided in this campground are biking, hiking paradise, picnic tables, scenic area, horse trial riding, laundry, and shower house. It is centrally located to all the popular attraction.

2. Schmidt’s Landing Resort Schmidt’s Landing Resort is located in Big Stone Lake in South Dakota. It is an ideal and private place for vacations, family gathering and group meetings. Fishing in Big Stone Lake is very famous here. Some of the facilities provided to guests in this resort are internet, antique shopping, wildlife refuge, large indoor recreational facilities, bird watching, historical sites, golf courses, water sports, and unique craft and specialty shops.

3. Broken Arrow Campground Broken Arrow Campground is located 4 miles south of Cluster in South Dakota. There are 20, 30, 50 amp RV sites with full hookup, water and electricity facility. Other facilities provided in this campground are dump station, cabins, private bathrooms, tenting, hot water, laundry, picnic tables, wireless internet access, horseshoes, firewood, ladder golf, croquet, and swing set tether bath. It is a clean campground with quiet country setting.

4. Black Hill Camp & Breakfast Black Hill Camp & Breakfast is located in Hill City of South Dakota. It is a quiet and cozy place for camping which is not at all crowded. People can enjoy biking, swimming, picnic tables and scenic area. This place is famous for its hospitality and reasonable rates. It is a great place to camp and spend vacation.

South Dakota is a popular destination for tourists. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. It is a good place for camping and spending vacations. There are so many RV park choices in South Dakota. The above list would help you in picking a suitable RV Park and Campground.

Mount Rushmore is among the major tourist spots located at the Black Hills in the southwest of South Dakota. It features the sculpture of four of the former presidents of the United States. The sculpture is a masterpiece of Gutzon Borglum. Black Hills itself is among the beautiful scenery which features a lot of pine trees covering the whole mountain. South Dakota is home for various monuments and National Parks. There are two popular national parks. One is the Badlands National Park located at the southwestern side. It was established in 1978. The other one is the Wind Cave National Park known for its various caves and bison. The park is located at the Black Hills and was created during the year 1903.

Another great attraction of the state of South Dakota is the world renowned Corn Palace built in 1892. This was originally used as a venue for various festivals by the locales. The palace symbolizes the rich agriculture of the land. Every year the palace is decorated with different species of grasses and grains. South Dakota also boasts its hundreds of museums which showcase a wide variety of art works, music and a lot of historical artifacts. You will learn more on the history of South Dakota when you visit these museums.

South Dakota is also a haven of different adventures and exciting activities. With its wide mountainous area, it is an ideal place for outdoor activities such as rock climbing, hiking and sight seeing. Photographers and hobbyists enjoy taking pictures of the serene and calm views of South Dakota’ wildlife and nature. With more than one thousand square miles of water, South Dakota is known as a pleasurable place for fishing. You can also enjoy water activities such as jet skiing, surfing and kayaking. Besides fishing, there are specific areas where you can enjoy hunting. The areas for hunting feature a variety of birds and animals. Among the most awaited hunting events is the pheasant season which attracts a lot of hunters from different parts of the country.