There was quite a thunderstorm overnight, which woke us both up. Went right back to sleep though. We later heard that it was a very bad storm about 50 miles east, with hail and extremely heavy winds.
Norbert got up at 5:30 and went out to take pictures. It was already too late for the sunrise (!), but of course he got some lovely photos, including a doe and fawn, and some wild turkeys.
I was wearing pink capris and a pastel striped top. When I checked out, the woman told me I looked “so pretty in pink!” Isn't that a nice way to start the day!
Had breakfast and were on our way by 8:15. Drove back through the park for one last longing look at the beauties. Stopped at a gas station in Wall to tank up.
Headed west on the interstate. In Rapid City we stopped at the visitors center and I took over driving. Headed south to Custer State Park. We paid our entry charge and took the Wildlife Loop Drive.
Almost immediately we came across a herd of bison! They were in the woods on the other side of the road. Must have been 50 or so. They were smaller than the ones we saw in Badlands. Everyone stopped and pulled over. Got some photos of course.
There was a darling buffalo calf....
Drove along the whole loop. The only other critters we saw were the wild donkeys. We had to stop longer than we wanted since one mare and foal thought we were lovely folks who would love to feed them (they were wrong), but stood so close to the car I was afraid to drive.
The park is lovely – mountains, forests, clearings, big sky – but a bit of a letdown after the Badlands. (note: we changed our minds about this later, as we fell in love with it.)
Stopped for lunch at the lodge at Legion Lake. Looked like a regular grill-type of place (nothing spectacular) but we both had excellent and much-too-large salads.
Continued on to the State Game Lodge.
Too early to check in, so we just sat in the lobby until it was time. We got an “historical room” in the old part of the lodge. Probably just as small as the cabin yesterday! But with antiques, so has lots of personality. Nice to stay somewhere a bit different.
Rested for a while, then went for a walk. Across the road to the cabins, then along to the general store. Didn't buy anything, though.
The lodge was built in the 1920s and was the summer White House for Calvin Coolidge. The stream running here (and the campground) is named for his wife Grace.
Then we got back in the car and drove west to the town of Custer. Talk about motorcycles!
Actually it was fun to watch them and see all the special booths and things for them. Enjoyed it very much. Walked several blocks up and down main street, went in few stores. Stopped at a grocery store on our way out of town and bought chips and cheese and crackers (plus wine and beer) for dinner tonight.
We had decided it was time to eat a bit less, so we had dinner in our room. Small room, so we laid the buffet out on our bed between us. It is a double bed which tends to run uphill to the foot of the bed, so we did rather have to grab the cheese slices every time one of us moved.....
