On May the 10th we set out for the days events. Our first stop was Custer State Park in the Black Hills. It was a beautiful day, we entered the Black Hills just after sun up. The ranches and country side made for a beautiful drive. From our campsite we made the drive in a short amount of time. Our plan was to stay a couple of days at this location and scout out all the surrounding area's of interest. Then we'd move up to Deadwood and do the same. During this time of year the weather can be a bit unpredictable, it's best to be flexible and have plenty of time.
The local wildlife of deer, turkey and goats seem to be abundant and roaming free in every open field and ridge line.
It was still early when we arrived at the State Park. The park fee of $11.00 gave us access into all the lands that was part of the Custer State Park. The ticket was good for 7 days so we could return as many times as we wished.
Custer State Park opened in 1919 and is South Dakota's first and largest State Park.
After paying the entrance fee we headed to the welcome /visitors center for a bathroom break. We also wanted to check out one of the many campgrounds inside the park. The fees for camping seemed a little high to us. It was $27.00 a day for electric only. It was a beautiful area to camp but I'm a penny pincher and I like a little more bang for my buck.
After our quick break we were on the search for the Tatanka, better known as the American buffalo. (Tatanka is the Lakota Indian word for buffalo) We had driven several miles thru the Park and not yet seen the buffalo. Lots of muddy trails and field covered with their droppings. "I don't understand Kathie said, there is lots of signs that tell us they were here." Wait a minute I said as I exited the truck to look at a pile of dung. I reopened the truck door and said, "the herd is near." You can tell that by looking at their poop Kathie ask. Nope, I see them right over there, haha. It wasn't long and we were snapping picture after picture. Small herds and larger ones as well. There were those that were alone, then two or three. They were close to the road, on the hill sides and in the valley.
Some of the big bulls will weigh as much 2,000 pounds, that's a lot of bull.
We made sure to check out the buffalo pens. Every year in September there is a roundup of all the buffalo in the park. With the exception of the older bulls, they are to mean. This is done so as to maintain the size of the herd, assuring those kept are healthy so as to survive the harsh winters, sell and auction off the excess. This event is witnessed by 14,000 spectators who show up at 7 AM for a sale and roundup that doesn't take place until around 9:30 AM. The size of the herd is held at 1300.
U-Tube has quite a few video's on the Buffalo Roundup At Custer State Park. I liked the vintage one from 1938, now those were cowboys.
The park supports other herds of animals as well as the Buffalo. The vast amount of open terrain allows for great views. A camera with a good zoom lens is very helpful in capturing those great close ups while you remain at a safe distance.
This small herd of Burros seemed gentle and tame. I'm sure they could deliver a nasty bite or a bone breaking kick. I had no desire to receive either so I kept a safe distance.
There were herds of deer as well as some goats.
We continued our drive into the Black Hills, climbing up to 6,000 feet. We were on the Needles Highway, more like a small trail. There was a warning of non road maintenance. The road was small and so were some of the pull offs. The rock formations were dangerous looking, large bolder's teetering atop larger rock foundations. We drove thru man cut tunnels in the rock walls. One was so small we had to pull the mirrors in on the Dodge Dully. I wasn't sure if we'd make it or get stuck like a cork in a bottle. I think the crowd of on lookers were in doubt as well. We exited to the roars and cheers of those who may have been placing bets.
The picture of the tunnel above wasn't that bad. It measured 9' wide and we had room. The next one was only 8'4" wide and that was a very tight fit. It seemed to be smaller in the middle, there was very little room for a mistake. It became necessary to pull the mirrors in and hope the rear bubble fenders cleared. I'm not sure I'd drive thru it again. Once on the other side we encountered a beautiful lake. It was worth the drive. There was even a wedding being performed at that very same lake. This was Lake Sylvan.
There was a small country store at the lake and we ventured over for something to eat. It had been a long time since breakfast and the trail bar had long left the trail haha. There is also a huge lodge and restaurant on the other side of the lake. We didn't check it out but I'm told it's beautiful, great accommodations, great food and priceless views of the lake and mountains.
After attacking the burger of buffalo meat like a pack of wild dogs, and wolfing down a coke and chips we were once again off. Our next stop was the Crazy Horse Monument. First we had more small roads to navigate and more beautiful mountain scenery to look at.
We had made it up the mountain and down again. The small one lane roads with soft and short pull offs, narrow and tight tunnels and hair pin turns, were more suited for goats than cars. During my motorcycle days I rode here a lot, while attending the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. I never gave a thought to these small and winding roads during those visits. Now in a 1 ton dully truck I payed close attention. The traffic was very light and that was the saving grace I'm sure.
We made the left turn and headed for Crazy Horse. It wasn't long before we were looking at it from the long driveway of the Monument entrance.
The entrance fee was $22.00 for the one day visit. I would have liked it better if it was for a week like Custer State Park, haha. This is a privately owned Monument, financed thru donations and what they sell in the gift shops and collect in fee's.
The American Indian having had lots of dealings with the American Government, knows first hand the dangers of believing any promises or written agreements made by that Government. Therefore they (the Indians) took nor would they ever agree to any money, help or other forms of donations from the American Government. I can't say that we have fared any better than our Indian brothers and sisters.
The Monument most likely won't be finished in my lifetime. It may take several more generations before it is finished and dedicated. It is a living tribute to one of our nations proudest tribes and the leader they held as their hero. The pictures below show what it will look like upon completion.
I may never again get this way to check the progress. I would like to be living when it is finished, but I know that day for me will not happen.
Above Kathie holds up a small rock of granite, blasted away to form the monument. These small fragments are free for the taking. How cool would it be if one of our descendants returned and laid that rock at the base of the finished monument? We could only hope. We stayed and gathered as much information as our time allowed. This short blog wouldn't be enough to share it with you the readers. I can only say that if you have the chance, make the trip and see the progress first hand. It is a work in progress, slow but accurate.
Our next stop was Mt. Rushmore. It was about 5:30 PM when we arrived and paid our $11.00 parking fee. It should be noted that both the Crazy Horse and Mt. Rushmore are parking fees only. Don't ask me to explain that as I might give you bogus information. As far as I'm concerned it's the price for entrance regardless of what they call it.
The Gnome was asleep in the back seat of the truck when we arrived at Crazy Horse. Kathie didn't want to wake him. So when we got to Rushmore, I told her to wake him or he'd complain all the way to Alaska. His short legs aren't much for walking so he stayed with the truck while Kathie and I went for a closer look.
The sun was sinking fast in the evening sky. Not the best time of the day for pictures as it was above the Monument in direct line with the camera. We took the best ones we could and explored paths I had never been on before. This was Kathie's first visit but it was my forth. Still I was seeing and discovering things I didn't know was there. I felt it was a good first visit for my wife. If not I'm more than willing to make another trip back in the future :)
As we were making our way to the parking lot, we discovered this goat picking the grass. Wow a horse for the Gnome, but Kathie wouldn't hear of it. Why not, a Gnome and a goat should get along just fine. I bet we would have attracted a lot of attention with a Gnome riding a goat at the Mt. Rushmore Monument. News at 10, laughing out loud.
I guess I need to be more respectable to old white goats at Mt. Rushmore. You just never know they could be from your gnome town :)
It was almost 8 PM as we pulled back onto Hwy 244 headed for 16A and Iron Mountain Rd. That was the short cut back across the mountain and parts of the Custer State Park. It was only fitting we encountered several large buffalo as we drove thru this end of the Park. They don't seem to be alarmed by the vehicle and pay no attention as we stop for more close ups.
I have tried to upload a video, maybe it worked, maybe it didn't.
The sun was fading and there was a chill in the night air. Animals were all out walking the road. Several times Kathie made me hard brake for turkeys that wanted to cross the road. Why I have no idea, they should have been up in a tree. Several deer held us and wouldn't allow us to pass as if they could stop us.
After a couple of fast chess moves we avoided the deer slaying at Buffalo Gap and headed home, leaving the Black Hills National Forest and all the critters that live and work there.
We had been gone all day, and what a day it was. We had left shortly after sun up and now it was sun down. It's worth noting that the next picture is the same as the first one at the top of this blog page.
Next stop Deadwood, Sturgis, Spearfish and all the surrounding area's of interest. Just as soon as the constant rains and blowing 30 mph winds let up! Until then we will hold up here in Hermosa waiting for the change that is sure to come. When it does we will again be on the move and making our way north, gnome to Alaska. Why go dutch with Kathie and the Gnome.
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