Custer State Park, South Dakota

April 25 – May 3

We had a lot of fun exploring Custer State Park in several ways: Scenic Drive, Hiking, and a Jeep Tour!

I talked about the drive a bit in prior posts, with the crazy tunnels, twisty curves, but the views!! Oh my the views. I'll post some of what I took at the end of this post. So many breathtaking vistas. The other fun part of the scenic drives where the animals: Buffalo, Antelope, Deer, Donkeys, and even some wild Turkeys. Oh and a distance view of Elk.

     

Played tourist and took a Jeep Tour of the park which got us up close and personal to the Buffalo and Donkeys (affectionately known as the Begging Burrows). Got to go to those places in the park where cars can't. The driver/tour guide was very informative, being the 4^th generation on the ranch he lived on gave him great insight and knowledge of the history of the land, park, and animals. If you ever get there and do the tour, ask for Roger.

It was Roger who explained the difference between a Buffalo and a Bison. It depends on which side of the fence their in, LOL. If you are from there they are Buffalo, if you are from elsewhere they are Bison. Actually, they are the same animal, the scientific name for the American Bison or Buffalo is Bison bison, but hey have you ever heard of Bison, NY?? or how about Bison Bill?? nope. Buffalo was the name the French gave them for the shaggy mane: Buffles. In the Sioux-Lakota language, it is “Tatanka” which means “He Who Owns Us.” By any name they are big, incredible strong, and surprising fast with a speed of 35 miles per hour: Truly majestic animals with soulful eyes.

Did several short hikes which were, one up to the Fire Tower and memories of some very important people in my life growing up. My dad, Uncle Bill, Uncle Andy, Harold; they were all part of the NJ Forest Fire Service and great men. I grew up with State Fire Truck B-25 in my backyard and got to go up in the Fire Tower in Jamesburg often. These men as well as others taught me the love of nature, the woods, and a healthy respect for what is there and of fire. I have been honored in knowing them.

Onward to Sylvan Lake. Beautiful area.

What an entertaining, surprisingly challenging hike it was. According to the write up it was just hike around the lake, that sounds nice, and yes, it was nice but its what they didn't tell you that made it, umm, interesting. Started out nice and easy wide pathway. 

Go around the bend and oops, first obstacle, a large patch of slushy snow/ice to get through. Okay, not so bad, just take your time. 

Continued on, go down to the end and follow the trail around those rocks, HA, that brings you to a narrow tunnel covered in ice. Oh goody. Does that stop us, of course not, fortunately the walls are close enough to help. 

Get through in one piece and come around to the back of that mountain of rock, other WOW!! Okay now just a scramble up and over those rocks there, ha piece of cake. 

Cool slit through there and just a bit further up the scramble, yep, another WOW!

 

Over the rocks and down the hill it evens out a bit until, well more scrambling! Hey, Look, I made it!! Playing a bit of peek a boo is always fun. More great views and a deserved break!

This bench says it all!!

TA

Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Wind Cave, Oh My!

 April 27 - May 1

We had a lot of fun during our time at Hot Springs, SD. As was mentioned in previous post we rented a car for several days in order to get around easier and into those incredible tunnels ranging from 9 to 11 feet in height and 9 to maybe 10 feet wide. I think one was under 9 feet both ways! Or at least it sure felt like it going through. There was a large pickup that had to bring in its mirrors to fit. Here are the many wonderful sights we experienced while there.

Mt. Rushmore

      Driving on the scenic road through Custer State Park you get your first view of Mt Rushmore. They named it right as what a rush you get when it comes into view. Awestruck is probably a good word, especially, when you stop and considered the how and when it was made. To carve those faces with so much detail into a mountain of rock is unimaginable but yet there it is larger than life. When we got to the park itself we spent some time just sitting in quiet contemplation.

   

Crazy Horse Memorial

Next stop was Crazy Horse Memorial, again awestruck. This incredible carving was begun in 1948 and is on going through today and indefinitely. Originally commissioned of Korczak Ziolkski by Henry Standing Bear, to honor and memorial the spirit of Crazy Horse. Not as an exact likeness but to capture his dedication to his people as a leader and warrior. When completed it will show Crazy Horse sitting aside his horse with his left arm outstretched and finger pointing, this represents his response to the question ask after the lands were confiscated by the White Man's Government: Where are your lands now? His response: “My Lands are where my dead lie buried.” Heartbreaking and tragic how Native Americans were and are treated.

I was impressed to learn this site is not federally funded as the people chose to control the management of the site. The funds are made up of donations and foundations set up to continue. The mission statement at the sight which also includes a museum and gift shop, reads: The mission of Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation is to protect and preserve the culture, tradition, and living heritage of all North American Indians. A truly worthwhile cause. Be sure to go there should you find in that area, as you too will be amazed, enthralled, overcome with emotion, truly Awestruck.

Two other quotes of inspiration to be found there:

“When you know who you are; when your mission is clear and you burn with the inner fire of unbreakable Will; no cold can touch your heart; no deluge can dampen your purpose. You know that you are alive.” Chief Seattle , Suquamish, Duwamish Chief

“Never Forget Your Dreams” Korczak Ziolkowski

Wind Cave National Park        

First and foremost if you want to see buffalo the two best places to go is Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park, they have the largest herds in the US, what fun.

Wind Cave National Park is home of over 100 miles of passageways most of which have not been explored due to the size of access. The relatetively short area that can be access through a tour brings wonders to light. If you have gone on cave tours tho other locations a lot of what you would have seen are stalactites and stalagmates. Those long columns of minerals growing up or down as the waters drip as well as large cavernous areas that have you craning to see the ceilings. Not so at Wind Cave. What you will find here is a dark, mostly tight (be prepared for ducking) tunnelways but do look around as it is one of the few places in which to see Boxwork, Popcorn, and Frostwork formations. Be forewarned if you go: It is not a place for claustrophobics, Believe me!

Besides the cave tour there is miles of hiking trails, several only a mile or so, making it easy to do more than one in a days outing. The grounds are diverse with open prairie, rolling hills, grasslands, Ponderosa pine forests. Along the way, keep an eye out for Prairie Dogs, Pronghorn (antelopes), Mule Deer, Buffalo (or as they are called there: Bison), and if you are lucky maybe even a coyote or two.

Something I learned is to be careful around prairie dog holes as abandoned ones can be used by rattlesnakes!!

Oh and at the Visitor's Center they sell these cool masks!   

You can check out some of our hiking views below.

Hot Springs, SD

 
  Hot Springs, SD is a quaint old town rich in history and great architecture. Enjoyed driving through there on our way to Wind Cave National Park. 

Next visit to that area we plan on spending more time there as we want to explore its many offerings. The Mammoth Site: An active paleontological dig with many mammoth remains including 3 woolly mammoths. Hot Springs boosts several museums, and, of course, several Hot Springs! And hey they have a Blue Buffalo!! 

 

More about Custer State Park next time!!

Ta

Goodbye to the Badlands

 April 25 – May 3, 2021

Left the Badlands today, already can't wait to come back. So much more to explore there in the ever changing beauty. 

As a farewell, the buffalo and prairie dogs were out in great number and closer to the road so we could get a good look at them. What an amazing send off.

Of course, if you are in that area it is a given to stop at Wall, SD, home of Wall Drugs, which is a true tourist area of an old style look. Shops, Restaurant, and a gazillion Billboards along the road advertising their 5 cent coffee. Was to busy for us to go into any of the businesses but we did walk around a bit before heading onward.

Darling Library at Wall, SD

Headed to Box Elder, SD to take care of some personal business there. We are now considered residents of this great state. According to our government, everyone needs to have an address of domicile, SD makes this super easy for Fulltime RVers, hence so many SD license plates in campgrounds around the country. Technically, we don't even have to come back for five years, but I have a feeling it will be sooner than that as I fell in love with the south west part of this state.

Stayed at Americas Mailbox RV Park as that is where our mail service is and it is with their help that we became residents. The campground is nondescript, not the kind you spend a lot of time at. Go do your business and head to the next place. The staff wonderfully helpful. Spent two days there, stopped in Rapid City to rent a car. 

Then moved on to Hot Springs/Black Hills KOA just outside of Hot Springs, SD. Settled in for a week of playing tourist and relaxation.

Great Campground, well laid out but careful of some of the sites, there are several that are very uneven. Fortunately, ours was good and didn't take much to get her level. They had just reopened for the season so the place was quiet, got to chat with several of the staff there. It is owner operated by a great couple and the rest of the staff have been coming back to work there for several years. The facilities kept very clean, laundry, and had a great store, having most needs covered. In the warmer weather, there is a pool and community area where special events are held. Very typical KOA. One of the things I like about KOA is the consistency of service and what you can expect. There are exceptions of course, and some rather pricey, but most are a good value. We had a great time at the campground and exploring the area.

Custer State Park is nearby so spent a lot of time there as the scenic way to several sites are through the park. Knowing ahead of time there were many places we wanted to go is why we rented a car for the week. On two of the roads there are these very narrow, very low tunnels (one is just under nine feet high and nine feet wide) to go through as well as twisty turny curves, many switchbacks, with several what are called pigtails. Pigtails are sections that spiral around and down (or up) just like a spiral staircase or Pig's Tail. Not RV friendly LOL. Hairy enough in a car! Tried to get some photos but once again they do not do it justice.

Will write about some of our adventures in next post.

Til then enjoy Custer State Park Scenic Drives

TA