Yesterday, we took the toad and toured in Custer State Park. All I can say is "WOW". This park is huge and there is something to take a picture of around most corners. We started out from Hill City and took the Needles Highway. At first there are some twists and turns and you think "This is cool". Then you begin seeing some of the rock formations and go through a tunnel that you think is pretty small. Wait for it...the tunnels get smaller and longer. Suddenly, you reach the "Needle's Eye" , stop the car and get out, and be amazed. What a view! During busy times, I could see a real traffic jam here.
After Needles Highway, we headed for the Wildlife Loop. Before we got there, there was a turnoff labelled Mt. Coolidge Firetower. What better place to see vistas from than a firetower. Up we went and up and up. MaryAnne was on the outside edge (no railings here) and had to look away everytime an approaching car came and I had to drive the right edge. She feels that it is unfair that the driver is always in the middle of the road. It was only a mile long but that gravel road felt like five miles of twists and turns. Sure enough a beautiful vista awaited us complete with an observation deck. In the distance, you could see Mt. Rushmore, Harney Peak, Needles Highway, and Crazy Horse. It was worth the drive up.
We went around the Wildlife Loop next. First we saw whitetail deer next to the road munching on the grasses. Speaking of Grasses, did you know that there are National Grasslands? I didn't until stopping at the National Grassland Office in Wall, SD. Back on topic...we reached the southern end of the loop and saw the Buffalo corrals in the distance. Next, we came upon a lone buffalo walking down the middle of the road causing a Buffalo Jam. He walked right past MaryAnne's side of the car. Maybe 6 inches from her window. He didn't pay much attention to all of these cars. He's seen them before. Besides, he owned this stretch of highway. Down the road a little we met a group of Begging Burros. I didn't see anyone feeding them but I'm sure there is a reason they hang out in the middle of the road. We finished the Wildlife Loop and had a great lunch at the Legion Lake Diner. We drove into the town of Custer and headed north past Crazy Horse to the campground. We'll save Iron Mountain Road for the next day. The pups were happy to see us and we took them for a walk around the park. Life is Good in the Black Hills!