Growing up in Beulah, North Dakota our family vacations would take us south to the Black Hills. One of my favorite places to visit was Reptile Gardens near Rapid City. My favorite memory was the huge Mezzanine – I remember how fun it was to try and spot the snakes or little lizards that would get to run around the place. That was back in the early 80’s so things were different, I’m not sure they let the little lizards have a free run of the place any longer. If your grew up in the Dakota’s I am sure you have an old scrapbook with a picture of you visiting Reptile Garden’s when you were a kid too. My mom took a picture of me sitting on one of the Giant Tortoises – I bet he is still there, since they have the potential to live to 15o years old!

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