August

It was time to decide where to go on the annual vacation and everyone was supposed to get a vote, but when everyone votes for something different, Mama gets to decide.

"We really should go somewhere new this year," Lydia told them. "I've looked at lots of places but I think the best one is the South Hills of Dakota."

Beetlejuice looked at his kids and they looked back. Then they all looked at Lydia.

"Come on!" she laughed. "It'll be a lot of fun, with so many things to do and see."

Of course she was right. She took a few days to make reservations and arrangements and lists, and she actually had her family looking forward to the trip. They arrived and checked in their hotel with plenty of time to wander around Rapid City (which they mostly found boring), but the real fun began the next day.

First, they rode the 1880 train between Hill City and Keystone. Then it was time to pan for gold at the Big Thunder Gold Mine. Beetlejuice watched, interested, but several feet away from the water. "Did that once," he told them. "Don't need to do it again." He looked at Lydia and they both smiled at the memory of his 'gold fever'. Nobody found a nugget of any size that afternoon, but it was fun all the same.

The next day they rented a car for a day and went to Mount Rushmore, which actually paled against the Mount Gushmore they were familiar with. But the bison and burros more than made up for that. Lydia took fourteen photos of prairie dogs, mostly at her daughter's instigation and they all enjoyed the Junior Ranger Activity book. Lydia purchased the Junior Ranger patches for her kids and then Beetlejuice begged so hard for one that the gift shop gave him one just so he'd stop.

The next day was spent at the WaTiki Water Park. "This is your day, dearest," said Beetlejuice. "Enjoy the . . ." he paused to shudder, "water and I'll be over in the video arcade."

Lydia spent the morning in the water with the kids, while Beetlejuice amused himself at the arcade. Then, after lunch, "You've won enough just playing against the machines. Now it's time to play against Lydia 'Joystick' Deetz again." She extended her arms, cracked her knuckles, and proceeded to win every game after that. Beetlejuice got into the spirit of the competition, though, and there was much laughter and a fair bit of shrieking. It was unnoticeable due to the shrieking coming from the water slides.

One entire day was spent at the Reptile Gardens. Chazz loved the snakes and crocodiles. Beatie was enchanted by the birds and the giant tortoises. Lydia took photos of all the most exotic flowers and Beetlejuice wanted to spend the rest of his afterlife with the insect collections.

"Beej, come on." Lydia tugged at one arm and both children tugged at the other. "But that black scorpion," he said, being pulled away. "It's just calling to me, telling me it wants to go home with me."

The next day they went caving. It was surprisingly chilly in the caves and Lydia had several chances to say "I told you so" as they all donned their sweaters. Except for Beetlejuice who merely grinned at them and spread his arms wide as if basking. Afterward, they got more Junior Ranger badges. "I also need to buy one for my husband," Lydia explained. "Believe me, you really don't want him to start whining." They believed her and obliged.

The final day, they visited the Museum at Black Hills Institute where everyone was enthralled by the T. rex and Stegosaurus skeletons. Beatie asked repeatedly for a trilobite and managed to look so winsome that her parents finally let her pick one out. When they turned to Chazz, he looked grave then carefully selected a small white echinoid. "Its name is Rascal," he said proudly.

Beetlejuice whispered to Beatie then she turned to her mother and asked where the Ladies Room was. Lydia went with her, giving Beetlejuice and Chazz the chance to buy the geode Lydia had been admiring but thought was too expensive. "The perfect birthday present," Beetlejuice said. Chazz nodded in affirmation.

Everyone was a little sad when vacation was over, but it was also good to be home and unpack their mementos and argue over what had been the best experience.

"It was an awful lot of fun, Mama," said Beatie.

Chazz hugged her and murmured, "Thanks, Mama."

"Yeah, it was great. You pick the best places to go, heart." Beetlejuice perked up suddenly. "Hey, where are we going next year? Have you decided yet?"

Lydia smiled at her family. "I think next year we'll go to a Neitherworld landmark. How about a week at the Groan Canyon?"