Wanted a small breakfast but when we got to the Lodge restaurant, we decided for the buffet. It was not cheap but well worth it. Probably the best breakfast buffet I have ever had in the US. So we had a big breakfast to tide us over.
We wanted to head south for the day and went via the Wildlife Loop. We were close to the intersection to turn on to the Loop when we stopped by a large herd of Buffalo on both sides of the road and crossing the road. Sat there for a long time watching and snapping pictures.
I loved watching them go down to the creek to drink.
We saw a small herd of deer along the way, so we stopped there too. They smelled us so they dashed across the road so that they were upwind from us.
As we continued along we saw prairie dogs, lots of deer, another buffalo herd (from a distance) and the mules again.
We exited the park and turned south. Apparently the Wind Cave National Park is directly next to the Custer State Park. Lots more beautiful prairies and mountains. Again, saw deer, and buffalo up in the woods. As we turned into the visitors center driveway, we saw a prairie dog colony and of course had to stop for photos.
Took a short tour almost immediately. Was surprised to hear it took a whole hour, as the time went so fast. This is the seventh national park to be established and the fifth largest cave system in the US, possibly the world.
They are as proud of their stewardship of the plains (22,000 acres) and the animals as they are of the cave. Lovely, lovely area.
From there we decided to head on south to Hot Springs where we stopped at a gas station mini-mart to buy a cola and a sandwich.
We continued on to The Mammoth Site. We ate our sandwich with fritos from last night at a nicely shaded picnic table n the grounds.
In 1974 a developer was grading land to build houses when he ran across some bones. It turned out to be the “grave” of so far 67 mammoths. They are still being excavated.
How did they end up there? It was a sinkhole, filled with hot water, so that grass grew year round. They went to eat it, fell in and couldn't get out due to the slick shale sides, so that they either drowned or died of exhaustion.
All were male and almost all were the mammoth equivalent of teen agers. I'm sure there is a moral in there, but far be it for me – as the mother of a male teen ager – to draw it. (cough cough).
We headed west and then north, through Pringle (not the home of the same-named potato chip). South of Custer you can see the Crazy Horse sculpture from the road, that was enough for us. then on to Custer and drove on through to Hill City.
It was FULL of motorcyclists. We found a parking place and walked up and back down the main street. We got an ice cream and sat outside and watched the people – fascinating!
From there we went east a bit to find our cabin. We ran into the owner walking out as we walked in. It is lovely, and bigger than I had expected. Not huge but certainly big enough for two! (Photos are terrible, but give the idea of the cabin.)
After goofing off for a while we went to the very close grocery store. Bought two steaks, some yellow rice and a veg for dinner. Norbert fired up the gas grill for the steaks and I did the inside things.
A nice dinner and then a lazy evening.
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