Wednesday, September 2, 2009

August 30, 2009

Custer State Park Wildlife Loop

Sort of a slow day.  We still had the southern half of Custer State Park to see.  This is a VERY large park and all of it is beautiful.  And the terrain is not all the same.  The northern part is sharp hills and valleys.  The southern part is mostly rolling plains with gentle valleys lined by trees.  This is ideal wildlife habitat. 

First stop was a fire lookout.  Here is a view of Mount Rushmore from very far away.

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We started south and spotted our first lone bison for the day.  Shortly after we went through large groups of bison on both sides of the road.  A bit further on we met some burros – up close. 

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In this one he is scratching his shoulder on the outside mirror.

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These beasts would climb in the car if you let them.  After that we drove through miles of pretty country but no more wildlife.  Near the southern end of the park we came to the Buffalo Corrals.  This is where they hold the buffalo during the roundup.  The herd is checked for health and about a third of the herd is separated out to be auctioned off.  This keeps the herd at a healthy size for the land. 

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Just past the corrals we went by a group of six or seven pronghorn. 

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The rest of the loop was pretty but no more wildlife.  The park has four lodges and we briefly toured each of them.  Had lunch by a pretty lake and then back to RV park to get ready for tomorrow. 

We have a friend who says that if she could live anywhere she wanted without other commitments that she would choose the Custer, SD area.  I can see why.  Winter might be a bit tough the whole area is beautiful even in late August.



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