June 13 - 18 Custer, South Dakota

June 29, 2024  •  Leave a Comment

Fort Welikit Campground

Gosh the weather just couldn’t be better. It makes for such an enjoyable journey through the awesome roads of South Dakota. There’s nothing quite like the open road to remind us of the beauty in our journey. Our adventures bring us closer to nature and the simple joys of life. Every new destination is a chance to create unforgettable memories.

 

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What??? Another quirky side of the road thing – yep – an airplane high up on a metal pole – LOL!!

 

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We decided to take a slight detour on our way to Custer to visit Devils Tower National Monument not too far into Wyoming. Since we were semi in the area, why not? If you’re a movie buff, you’ll recognize this area as “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” did some filming here. To this day, it remains one of the most mysterious national parks, rising 1267 feet above the Belle Fourche River. It continues to hold many meanings for people including American Indians, local ranchers, rock climbers, and thousands of visitors every year.

 

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We were excited going on to another of our bucket list places. (clap clap clap) Here we are – finally – Mount Rushmore National Memorial. We couldn’t wait to get all set up at our campsite so we could take off and partake in the majestic evening lighting ceremony that starts promptly at 9:00pm during the summer.

 

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Surrounded by the beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota, there they are – the carved figures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. You know? You see pictures in books, magazines, and elsewhere when you’re growing up, but we have to say, until you are standing right in front of this incredible sight, you have no idea how truly “grand” it is. OMG……it almost took our breath away.

 

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As it turned from daylight to dusk to dark, like little kids, we eagerly awaited the lighting ceremony that takes place nightly and tells about the contributions each President made during his years of service. It tells of the challenges the country was going through at the time and how their leadership helped overcome those trials. It’s a 45 minute program that includes a Ranger talk, a film, and the illumination of the sculpture. Then the audience participates in singing the National Anthem. At the end, they ask all Military Veterans – if they choose – to come down on stage and participate in retiring the flag for the evening.

Mike doesn’t usually like to participate in such things, but Donna STRONGLY encouraged him to do so, as this is a special event that shows respect to the American Armed Forces and gives a heartfelt tribute, and recognizes the bravery of active and retired military members.

It brought tears to our eyes…………..

 

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The Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park is rife with the potential to see Bison, Pronghorn, Burros, and more. And yep – we saw them all – OMG! So exciting…..

 

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The Pronghorn group of 3 was hysterical to watch. One would “play referee” while the other two did their standoff thing – shoving and pushing each other into a gully then hop out and start again.

 

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As we rounded another corner through the sweeping hills, there stood a group of Burros with not a care in the world. They weren’t moving anytime soon so we carefully maneuvered around them down the road – LOL!!!!

 

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The famous (at least around here) Needles Highway – a 14 mile stretch - is a winding, thrilling drive through the Black Hills that shows off some striking geological features that are difficult to imagine unless you see them in person. The Cathedral Spires shoot straight up and are simply incredible.

 

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The icing on the cake is the Needles Eye Tunnel. OMG – we watched a tour bus inch its way through the tunnel with barely a breath of air to spare. There were about 40 people standing around clapping as they made it by. Donna got out of Journey and photographed Mike as he drove through – turned around – and came back. Then we drove through it again and continued on down the VERY VERY VERY narrow Highway which in many cases, is not a two-way road. It was a breathtaking drive but wow!!!

 

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Marked by narrow tunnels and sharp turns, the road is a favorite for motorcycle and bicycle enthusiasts. The town of Custer is a neat western style town, similar to some of the other towns we’ve visited in the Dakota’s. It has lots of tourist shops and restaurants galore. At each corner, there are differently painted Bisson’s – so cool……The Custer Stampede Buffalo Art Auction was a public art project that was created to showcase original bison artwork by artists from around the country. It began in 2007, with the last one in 2016. Several of the herd survived the auction and that is what is seen scattered around downtown Custer. “Never Forget Your Dreams”……

 

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The Crazy Horse memorial dream began in 1939 and is still a work in progress. Carving a dream….it exists to honor all Indigenous people of North America.

American Indian history and cultures are shared through museums, cultural programs, and the Mountain Carving in progress. No federal money goes to the building of this beautiful sculpture. They rely strictly on private funds from citizens like you and me…..

 

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We drove through the beautiful countryside that took us through the cool towns of Keystone and Hill City. We saw typical tourist seasonal towns that were neat in their own way. Driving through more tunnels along the way was fun. Lots of local woodcarvers that do some beautiful work!!! Seems as though Sasquatch is everywhere – LOL!!!

 

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We had our own local wildlife to view from our campsite. Daily, wild turkeys came to visit along with the same three deer. We just happened to be next to one of the Camp Hosts who made sure there was plenty of food for them to eat……not supposed to feed the wildlife so Mum’s the word from us…..

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As we say farewell to the Dakota’s, we’re on to another bucket list…..stay tuned….in a few days!!!!

 


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