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!
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.
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.
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 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.
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