Arrived in Montana and more!

I can't believe it has been over a week since I posted to the blog! We have been busy and internet has been spotty.

While in the Custer State Park area we decided to hike Lover's Leap trail. It is a short hike we could do in the morning before Lila's vet appointment. When we got to the overlook area of the hike, we saw the below sign. Too funny! It is amazing how quickly nature can bring back some serenity and sanity!

Lovers Leap Trail - sign

While walking on the trail I noticed a fresh buffalo “patty”. I thought the buffalo may be close by and was keeping an eye out for him. It was a wooded area and I looked to right of the trail and there he was under a tree by the creek. He was staring at us. Steve didn't even see him! Amazing the big guy can be so quiet and hide so well! NO picture was taken. We decided quiet with no flash was the way to go!

We took Lila to a vet appointment and what a cultural difference (I wasn't in Leesport anymore)! There was a gentleman in a pickup truck with his passenger side door open and they were euthanizing his elderly dog. The office was small and I could hear everything they were saying and even answered the vet's questions (wasn't sure if she was talking to me or receptionist – regarding Lila) We are happy to report Lila is improving!

The vet is the President of the Black Hills Mountain Lion Foundation and was explaining the issues of the mountain lion in the area. It was really fascinating and the lifestyle and culture is extremely different than the East Coast. She told me how she recently had to kill a rattlesnake in her horse barn (killed it with a cement block)!

After taking Lila to the vet we headed to Mt Rushmore. If the weather is agreeable, a lighting ceremony/program is performed at Mt Rushmore. The weather was good so we headed to see the 4 faces. I was not familiar with the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway but was glad we negotiated for the first time with daylight (twists, turns, tunnels, drop-offs, and no guardrail). We did see 35ft RV wheeling and dealing thru the byway which we thought was pretty impressive but why???!!

Mt Rushmore at dusk

Mt Rushmore after lighting ceremony

The ceremony was pleasant and we enjoyed the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway in the dark! Less traffic, more fun!  It was neat to see Mt Rushmore lite up in the tunnels in rearview mirror.

We returned to Mt Rushmore the following morning to see the Sculptor's studio, the Borglum Museum and walk the trail to get a closer view of Mt Rushmore. It is a remarkable accomplishment. I still can't believe the sculptor was the one who determined which Presidents were going to be included in the sculpture.

When you drive the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway all 3 of the tunnels frame Mt Rushmore.  This is from the tunnel!

Wednesday we decided to do another hike. We did Little Devils Tower hike. The hike is approximately 3 miles and provides an overlook of Harney's Peak, the Cathedral Spires and the Black Hills.

Harney's Peak

Cathedral Spires

 

After the hike we showered and went to visit the Crazy Horse Memorial. We wanted to see the sculpture and the light show. It was a totally different feel than Mt Rushmore. Crazy Horse is very laid back and family oriented. I wish we had allotted more time to spend at the facility. I missed seeing a majority of the Native American museum. They do provide passes to return at no charge the following day but we didn't have time. Someone told us not to miss seeing Crazy Horse Memorial and they were 100% correct!



Thursday was our final day in the Custer State Park area. Custer State Park is right next to Wind Cave National Park. Wind Cave is one of the longest caves in the world and has 95% of boxwork formations in the world. During our tour we got to approximately 180ft below the surface. I believe they think it goes 600+ ft below the earth's surface.

Beautiful views from Custer to Wind Cave

Mr C out and about

Tunnel thru the cave

Boxwork is in upper left hand corner

It was a very scenic drive from Custer to Wind Cave and we actually saw a coyote!

Its  a butt shot!

We also had a herd of buffalo at the campground for most of the day!

In the evening we attended the Woyotan Wacipi Show (Lakota Dance and Drum) at the State Game Lodge. It was not professional and not what we expected but we still enjoyed it. It was a church group with Native American heritage introducing native dance to kids. It started in a rough area and other dance programs had not been successful. A gentleman and his wife decided they would try and they had nothing to lose. This is the start of their 4^th year and they have gone from 8 dancers to 40 dancers! It is a success story on so many levels. If you want a polished show, this is not for you. We then dined on Fried Indian Bread (Indian taco). It may have been over-priced, but we feel it was worth supporting the kids!

Friday we headed to Devils Tower in Wyoming. It was an easy and uneventful drive, my favorite kind!

We spent the afternoon climbing the boulders in front of Devils Tower and walking the paved Tower Trail. It is an easy 1 mile paved trail around the Tower. We returned to our RV site and looked forward to moving on to the great state of MONTANA!

Approaching Devil's Tower (in pull off on highway)

At Devils Tower Monument (same day - clouds gone!)

Saturday we headed to GarryOwen to see the Little Bighorn Battlefield. We got kicked out by park ranger (road closes at 7P – oops!). Bad Bad tourists! We returned to Little Bighorn on Sunday and did a bus tour in the morning.  The bus tour guide is Native American and provided information from Native American perspective.  After the bus tour we listened to park ranger presentation, saw movie presentation in Visitor Center and toured the battlefield.  We went to the RV for an evening of laundry and preparing for Glacier Park.

Last Stand Hill

Little BigHorn (river)

Markers are placed on field where members of 7th Calvary died

Custer and his brothers marker (nephew's marker is elsewhere on field)

 Native American monument erected in 2003

Markers for Native Americans

We headed to Belt MT for a overnight stay. We stopped at the Billing MT Wal-Mart for groceries. When we were in Montana it was very remote. There are very few places to get anything other than gas. The exits off the interstate had big signs indicating NO SERVICES. Tourists please refrain from looking for civilization as you know it. It does not exist here!

We encountered a lot of construction on the way to Belt. It is some shoulder work they are doing. Actually US 87 turns into a 7 mile dirt road three times. Luckily, we did minimal damage to to my poor car being towed behind the RV. I believe the sign person is having fun at drivers expense!  End of Road works signs were also placed in the middle of construction zone!  It was a very LONG drive to Belt!

Just a little Shoulder work!

We arrived on Tuesday at Glacier National Park! This was my must have location for the trip. It is beautiful. We didn't do anything Tuesday afternoon but go to the Visitor Center and I cooked some meals to have in fridge.