Custer, SD, Fauna

Custer, SD Fauna




Custer State Park: $10.00 for a three-day all- over- the park pass


One state road through the park is free

After leaving Casper, we headed east to Custer, South Dakota where we stayed with a wonderful couple (Leonard and Marsha). They not only gave us hospitality for bed and breakfast, but took a lot of time to show us the area. . We had arrived fairly early and had a wonderful pot roast dinner.

Custer County residents can see Crazy Horse for free. Leonard and Marsha also had a pass for Custer State Park. They plunked us in their van after dinner. And off we went. We toured the area till well after dark. It was the week of the Sturgis bike month. So, everywhere we went there were great Harleys and zillions of other bikes everywhere we went. Certainly a sight to behold!

                  www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com/

We headed toward Custer State Park. On the way we saw several lone bison (American buffalo, which is what the locals prefer to call these magnificent critters). Apparently, sometimes elder male buffalo are kicked out of the herd. We were soooooo excited. I live in the east. We don’t have buffalo walking along the road (although some local ranchers raise one or two and can be seen behind fences). Leonard stopped so that I could take pictures.

http://gfp.sd.gov/stateparks/directory/custer

We finally arrived at the park and went in search of a herd. It did not take very long to find some. Leonard opened the side door of the van. I could almost touch them, but know better than to try to mess with wild animals. Traffic was slowed or stopped as they moseyed across the road. They looked so docile, but one needs to be cautious. I don’t have words to describe how amazing these animals are and how awesome our Creator made them. Many of the bikers toured the park. I, personally, would not like to have so little protection with those mammoth, but stunning creatures so near to me.

We found another herd or two. We moved on through the park. Leonard wanted to have us see a herd of elk, if possible. He asked several people as we traveled along a less traveled route, including a ranger. There had been a sighting of a herd of more than 100. We kept driving.

In the meantime, we saw several antelope.











Dusk was approaching. There was a flurry of action on the road ahead of us. “What’s that, Leonard?” Three young coyotes. Unfortunately, the pictures I took only show a bunch of prairie grass. But, it was exciting to see them playing in the road and then making a mad dash through the prairie, bounding over each other.

Continuing down this dirt road, we finally saw the elk. By now, however, it was getting dark. We saw several. Could see the racks of those big boys in the twilight. WOW!!! Again, pictures did not come out too well.

Leaving the park, Leonard, planned to take us to Crazy Horse for the light show. The light show was spectacular.

On the way to Crazy Horse (separate posting) on a main state highway, we came to a sudden halt. We could see the brake lights on the car ahead of us come on quickly. By now, it was dark with no moon. What is the matter with that idiot! I thought. Well, that idiot stopped because a small herd of buffalo had decided that this would be a good path to take to wherever they were heading. We were outside the park. This was an unlikely place for even a small heard to be wandering. But, no one told the buffalo. There are no fences within the park, but the animals are contained by cattle grates in the road (apparently, the grates startle/scare the animals when they place their hooves on the metal or in the areas between each metal flat (or slightly rounded) in ground bar). Pitch dark and they just really m—o—s—e—y—e--d their way across the highway. Sure am glad the driver ahead of us saw them. I don’t know how, because dark on dark is hard for humans to see. But he did. Gave us another glorious moment with these huge beauties.

 The next day Steve and I went out on our own. We wanted to go to Rushmore (a separate posting). To add to our fauna search, we found some very unexpected critters. I had it in my mind that I wanted to see some long-horned sheep. As much as we looked, however, we did not find any. Or so we thought! We found a small heard of unknown animals while driving through the main drag in Custer State Park. I took a picture, which I later showed Leonard. He laughed. I had indeed found some long-horned sheep…a herd of ewes, which, by the way, have short straight-ish, but slightly crooked horns at the top of their heads (six to eight inches would be my guess). To me they did not seem to match their male counterparts. My expectations were to see this species with long curly horns. I had not thought about the female looking so much different. I am a farm kid and should know better. Males and females in most species look different. So, now I feel like a jerk! Never found a male of this mountainous species! But, the group of gals was an exciting find, nonetheless.

The last critter that I can add to my list of unexpected, marvelous, western fauna truly came as a pleasant surprise. We were meandering down the hiking trail in front of Mount Rushmore when we saw movement. We stopped in our tracks. And very briefly waited. A momma mountain goat in all her spender moved into view, chomping and eating as she moved. She was slightly up the mountainside from our path. As we stood watching her, another added surprise…her kid was following. We watched them for quite some time, before we continued down the trail.

On our way back to our hosts’ house, we came upon a resort. A herd of buffalo had taken over the grounds…walking between parked vehicles…grazing and lazing all over the entire area. Standing in groups near the vending machines. Whatit'llbe!  Fritoes, Chocolate or a Coke!!?? Ummm!?? 

I got out of the car and stood in front of it being very careful not to get too close.

I hope that guy who owns the white pick-up does not have to make a quick exit or even plan to go somewhere in the near future. That bull buffalo almost looks as though he can jump into the front seat.

Another breath-taking moment in time.




 

Alcova Lake

Alcova Lake is about thirty miles southwest of Casper.  There are abundant, gorgeous, inexpensive (no amenities or electricity) campgrounds located around the lake, many on water's edge.  Marinas.  Inns and General Stores in a short driving distance. Fauna!  We spent an afternoon riding around the lake and its immediate area.  Only cost was gasoline, of course, and a stop at a General Store for a soft drink.  The scenery cannot be described in words.  These pics were shot with a Canon Rebel Digital with an image stabilizer camera.  It was left on automatic.  The car windows were down.  We rarely stopped. Pics were taken, generally speaking, therefore, as the car was moving.  The lens is a Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 55-250mm 1:4-5:6 IS.  The rock formations and the azure blue sky just don't have enough words to do them justice.  Some of the pictures were taken on the road between Casper and Alcova.

Number Seventeen—Baton Rouge

State Capitol Drive

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

225-219-1200

Monday-Sunday 8am-4pm

Louisiana Travel.com

Now, that I have my new set up, I need to back track on my life. In March I had the opportunity to go to Louisiana for Grand Chapter. I drove by myself as Steve chose once again to stay home. Overall, it was quite an adventure and will probably cover several postings.

But, since my travels always try to incorporate my pilgrimage of visiting a state capitol of two, I was able to stop at Number 17—Baton Rouge.  The day was overcast and dismal.  My time was limited, however, causing me to miss many of the sites that I would like to have seen, such as Zachary Taylor’s homesite, the state museum (admission fee: $6.00 adults, military/senior disc, under 12 -free), the Governor’s mansion (shown by appointment Tuesday through Thursday…225-342-5855), the old arsenal and pentagon barracks (I did see these briefly from the car).

It was fairly easy to find. Traffic was not a difficult challenge. It rests on the east side near the banks of the mighty Mississippi River. The legislature was not yet in session. Although when I returned to the area a few days later, the legislature was, indeed, in session. Lots of one way streets. Free parking on the grounds was available before the session; paid parking garage, once it started.

Senate: 39

House: 105

Architect: Dreyfuss and Seiferth Weiss

Building Completed: 1932

Style: Art Deco

The Dome/Rotunda: The capitol does not have a true rotunda, but the governor’s mansion does. Instead is the Grand Memorial Hall with a large relief hall encircled by the names of the 64 parishes (Louisiana’s French Catholic heritage gives to this concession of calling them parishes rather than counties as do the other states).

Liberty Bell—Each state has been gifted at least one replica of the liberty bell. Louisiana’s (#39) is in front of the old Arsenal Museum on the Capitol grounds.

Cornerstone—did not locate

Tour: Self Guided. Groups by previous appointment

Book and Stamp: Stamp can be obtained at one of the desks in the main hall. The gift shop does not sell the book.

What’s Unique:

• Exterior granite entrance stair case in two levels. The lower level contains thirteen steps with the original thirteen states carved—one state in each stair--in alphabetical order. The next level contains thirty six stairs for the other of the forty-eight states listed and carved with each state with its date of entry to the Union. These stairs are in order of their entry. The capitol was built before Alaska and Hawaii became states, so the very top stair is theirs jointly.



the bullet grazed pillar



• Former Governor and Senator Huey Long was assassinated in one of its corridors. A bullet grazed a pillar. The hole is still there. This is probably the only capitol which has a section dedicated to an assassination.

• This building was built primarily through the efforts of the aforementioned Huey Long. He is buried on the grounds facing the capitol building

What’s sort of unique:

• This is not a domed capitol, but instead a tower. It is one of only a handful of buildings built in a tower, although many of the older capitols have had to add space for offices, etc. and have built towers to house these. Louisiana brags that it is the tallest state capitol in the US. Nebraska also holds onto their claim of the same. But Louisiana sent architectural engineers to Lincoln. Yep, Baton Rouge holds onto the honor. By a handful of feet. However, Lincoln is higher above sea level than Baton Rouge making them winners in that scale.

• Most of the art is in bronze—from the elevator doors with famous folks from Louisiana embossed therein. Bronze doors lead to the House and Senate Chambers (only the House was open to the public when I was there). These doors, although each weighing a ton, are so balanced/weighted that a single person can open each one. And twice life-size busts and statues of former governors.

• Louisiana flags ruling were many—Spanish, French, USA, Confederate States of America. These are flown from a balcony over Memorial Hall.

Only the House chambers were open to the public.

In the Hall is a bank of elevators. Hop into any one of them. It will take you to the 24th floor where you have to get out and transfer to another elevator that will take you to the 27th floor to the Observation Deck with a panoramic view at 350 feet The view includes the Mississippi River, Capitol rose gardens , Louisiana’s “chemical corridor” and various and sundry other scenes. As the song says, “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.”  The vistas consume many miles.

The gift shop is on this floor, lots of LSU and other local treasures for sale. They do not sell the stamp book, however. I think they should as many people who saw me getting my book stamped were inquiring as to where they could get one.

The azaleas were at their peak.  All the beauty that they extol!

The Sergeants at Arms were a great bunch. They were helpful and friendly.

I enjoyed myself, but I think I like domes capitols better.

6/7/11