Wildlife Loop in Custer

We got up early today and headed to the Wildlife Loop.   It was a very beautiful ride and we did see some wildlife. 

The beautiful Black Hills

Love the hills sprinkled with trees!

Buffalo!

Pronghorn

Burro!

After the wildlife loop we drove to Mt Coolidge Firetower.  The 1.7 mile dirt road to the tower is a little gut wrenching at times but we managed!

Piece of the dirt road from tower area.  Little steep off those sides!

Firetower lookout - Built by CCC

One view from tower - very hazy

 We also got a picture of State Game Lodge.  This was also built by CCC and was President Coolidge's Summer White House. 

State Game Lodge

We headed to Sylvan Lake for a 1 mile trek around Sylvan Lake.   I like to get the dogs on little hikes as frequently as possible but the hikes must be easy for the ole gal Lila. It was around 6PM and there were a lot of people at the lake but both the dogs (esp Flash) were well behaved!

Another tunnel!

Views on ride to Sylvan Lake

Sylvan Lake in daylight.  All lakes in Custer Park are man made by CCC

Tunnel thru granite on the hike around lake

Me and puppers made it through the tunnel!



Deadwood

We decided to go to Deadwood today.  We arrived in time for Days of '76 parade.  After the parade we did some sightseeing.  The gambling trade is still alive and well in Deadwood!  We visited the Adams Museum and saw a 30 minute history show.   If we had time we would have gone to the Days of '76 rodeo or ventured to Spearfish but can't do everything!

Wagon

Belgian Horses 

Saloon No 10 where re-enactments of Wild Bill Hickok's assasination

Original location of Saloon No 10

Seth Bullock Hotel

Wild Bill Hickok's headstone

View of Deadwood from Mt Moriah Cemetary

Caryn and Cindy - if we ever had a little deli/bakery/coffee shop - this would be the one!  It is an old gas station made into coffee/deli shop.  They had 12 rack of ribs cooking for their lunch barbeque special.  The interior was old gas signs, etc.  Very cool place with good food and coffee.

After we got back to RV and took care of the dogs we had to drive to Custer to get gas in the car.   We saw a herd of Elk (rare) and did NOT have a camera, because the batteries were charging.

Arrived in Custer State Park

We arrived in Custer State Park today.  Only 100 miles to such a difference in landscape in the Black Hills versus the Badlands!  Very incredible! It was wierd  entering Custer Park with RV and a have buffalo and calf on the side of the road as an obstacle! 
We are staying in Game Lodge Campground in Custer Park and it is beautiful.  The park is clean, sites are spacious! Only electric hookup but who cares!  The buffalo are known to graze in the meadow adjacent to the campground (thank goodness for small fence!). 

We  set up and went to Visitor Center. A thunderstorm came through while we were at the Visitor Center getting hiking maps.  After the storm we headed to the Needles Highway within the park.  It is a 14 mile road through the granite mountains.  It was really pretty.  It was around sunset so we didn't get too many great pictures!

One lane tunnel (one of many)



I

Formation is called Needles Eye

Other side of one way tunnel (you can see me in left corner, gives an idea of size)

Overlook on Needles Highway

Sunset at Sylvan Lake

Another Day In Wall, SD

We spent another day in Wall, SD.  We got to the Minuteman Missile Visitor Center early to get free tickets to see the Launch Control Center.  We were able to go through with the 9AM group.  The elevator to the control center limits the number of people that can go on the tour at one time.  Our tour guide was a volunteer who had worked in the control center in the early 70s and also worked in the Looking Glass (airborne control center that served as backup if ground command centers were inoperable).   He was very knowledgeable and informative.


Control Center

30 mins to travel over North Pole to the target

Control Center

Hatch door to control center

Remote site of Missile Silo



Missile silo.  Missile to left under cap. Cone to right is radar for control by Looking Glass

After the tour of the launch control center, we went back to the Badlands National Park and drove a dirt road, Sage Creek Rim Rd, which is known for its wildlife. 

Sage Creek Rd

Antelope

Prairie Dog

Only sign of Buffalo we saw!

Pretty views

More scenic views, gives an idea of changing landscape

We are headed to Custer State Park tomorrow!  Don't anticipate internet coverage for blog updates!

Headed to Wall SD

What a glorious morning! It was a cool 75 when we got up this morning with a slight breeze. It was so nice not to deal with the stifling heat!

We went to the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site around 9A this morning. We saw a brief video  about the facility but were unable to get tickets for the guided tour of the Launch Control Center. They normally have a line at 8AM to get tickets. We will try again tomorrow morning.

We went back to the RV and took the dogs for a nice long walk and then packed up the RV and headed to Wall, SD. It is only 20 miles from Cedar Pass but has full hookups. We need to take longer showers, do laundry, and get some groceries before we head to Custer State Park.

We headed to a lecture by NPS ranger at the Launch Facility Delta-09 (the missile silo) in the afternoon. It was very informative. We are very excited to see the Control Center.

Missile Silo

We saw the infamous Wall Drug! We picked up two pocket reference guides for bird identification and a Hiking in the Black Hills book. We will just hang out tonight and do wash and make a grocery list, etc. Getting very excited to travel to Custer on Friday!

Update from Mr C.

Mr C. is my traveling companion.  He was given to me by someone extremely special to me. Sam wanted to make sure I had companionship and someone to play with on my journey.  I thought I would give an update!

Mr C. wasn't too excited about the RV trip. He was a little anxious and in our first few stops just wanted to look at the maps.

Mackinac

Munising

Door County WI

He must have a little cowboy in him because he wanted to get out and play in South Dakota! His first adventure was driving around Cedar Pass on his bike (we are close to Sturgis!). 

Badlands Cedar Pass Campground

He obeyed all the signs posted on Castle Trail!

Castle Trail - Badlands

He did get a little distracted by the cactus. He's a little sore but I think he will be ok!

MORE BADLANDS!

We decided to get up early and take a hike on Castle Trail. We did not do the full 10 miles. We did about 3 to 4 miles (10 is too much in this heat). We really enjoyed the hike and views. The spires look like a drizzle sand castle. The Great Spirit makes a beautiful sand castle!



I especially enjoyed the birds too. I was naïve and surprised at the variety. When I have more internet access, I will investigate the type of eagle/hawk that we saw on the hike. Very graceful and it was the first time I could see a bird that conjured up the images used by the Native American on clothes, etc. We weren't successful in getting a picture.


Have legs, will travel

After the hike we drove a little more of Loop Rd.  During our travels we encountered a group of Bighorn sheep. They were definitely great subjects and posed for the camera.



Climber crew

Momma and her babies

 

We spent a good time of the afternoon back in the RV with AC. It was well over 100. They aren't kidding about using sunscreen and hats. We used SPF30 and still got a little sunburn on our faces!