Day 27 - Custer State Park, Mt. Rushmore, and the Badlands

 Sunday, July 9, 2023 

South Dakota 

Since we decided to stay at the campground for the evening, that meant Custer State Park was first thing on our agenda today, after sleeping in and having a yummy breakfast of eggs and bacon.

What a pleasant and unexpected place we enjoyed. 

We were given the advice to go on the wildlife loop, the Needles Highway and then Iron Mountain Road toward Mt Rushmore. 

We did all three and spent way more time than expected but we didn't have a time schedule so it worked out. And I'm so glad it did!

A visitor hopped by to pay a visit.

Wildlife Loop -

✔️antelope ✔️bison ✔️mule deer ✔️whitetail deer ✔️prairie dogs ✔️burrows/wild donkeys 

Finally we were at a place to stop and photograph these fuzzy flower balls.  They were fascinating me!

 Then on to Needles Highway with a hike on Cathedrals Spire trail. What a beautiful hike with quite the climbing over rocks. It was a Yosemite experience without all the people and a popular place to hike. 

The road was quite curvy and the boys were quite antsy with quite a bit of drama, so Titus told them to hold their arms out and use body strength to stay upright as we go around the curves. Great diversion.

spires

This is a beautiful hike!

you can barely see them but there was so much quartz in the ground

A bit further on the Needles and fascinating as we drove between some and its easy to see why it's called, Needles Highway. 

Then on to Iron Mountain Road toward Mt Rushmore. 

Since it got later because of us enjoying Custer State Park, it is now suppertime and we decided to find a place that served bison or elk burgers. We found a place and stepped inside and he said, We are closed. " Ok...  so we turn to leave and he says, "Wait..." And asks the chef if he cleaned the line stuff and he hadn't so they served us. We all had bison burgers with a side. 

We had left our camper at the campground since we were going to go right by as we headed to our campground by the Badlands National Park. 

We picked up our camper and headed on.

Signs for miles before this store, makes you want to stop. Our campground was in Wall, SD and only 2 blocks from it.

We arrived at Sleepy Hollow campground and after setting up our camper, we headed to the Badlands. We were going to fight the daylight time to see all the park and do a hike. 

Beginning to view the Badlands 

I was so glad to be able to see another bighorn sheep.  What a gift!

Titus didn't tell me what I would have to scale...

This!!  In this picture you don't get the height but the top is very steep, almost straight up!

But so worth the view!

And I realize how much healing I have had to be able to do this.  And I am grateful!!

A phone call... hmmm...

"Dad, look up"

Sheldon called and as we looked across the way they were mere dots against the sky.  Here we were almost to the end of the trail, but with it getting dark and because of the ruggedness, I didn't want to get caught in the dark, so we had turned back and left the boys finish.

Yes, that is them in the middle and on top... 

Going down worked best to sit and scoot from step to step

And after bemoaning that I didn't get to see any moose on this trip... I see one!! 😜

Sheldon finds a dandy and says, "Here, mom, is a moose!"