Entry 5: Custer to Custer

I guess our hotel is safe, at least we woke up in one piece this morning. It turns out that Custer is a pretty quiet little town with only the main drag being filled with tourists. Speaking of tourist, we fit the bill, I think we only have one more thing on Carol's list of must see sights. Tomorrow we will hit Hot Springs before heading back to Gillette for the night. I fly home on Tuesday so we have to get closer to the airport. I guess I should look to see when my flight leaves, it would be too bad if I missed it and had to stay a few more days. This has been a glorious trip, I can't believe it's almost over!

The painted buffaloes that decorate the streets of Custer are so stunning. We started our day by posing with this beast. So pretty.

Years ago, in the early 60s, my family took a trip to South Dakota. It was a big deal because our usual travels only included a week to church reunion at Guthrie Grove, Sunday day trips around Iowa, and occasional trip to California to see my mom's family. One thing I remember so well from that trip is the day we went to Crazy Horse. It was in the very early stages but the promise of a beautiful monument was present. My dad sat and visited with the sculptor for what seemed like hours. It was so amazing to see how this privately funded endeavor looks today. I loved every minute of our time watching the story on video and touring the grounds. 

This is the model used to direct the project.

 As we exited Crazy Horse this gate told us good-bye, safe travels. Who thinks of these things?! Beautiful!!

Our second stop of the day took us to Mr. Rushmore just in time for lunch. What a perfect setting to enjoy some good food. Carol was brave and had the bison stew. It looked very good but I just couldn't bring myself to try it. We did try the ice cream, however. Thomas Jefferson is credited for inventing the first vanilla ice cream, of course I had to get some of that. MMMM Good!

These little critters were all over. So cute.This is Chip, Dale was around behind the bench.

The walkway up to the Mt. Rushmore observation area was lined with all the US flags. Impressive. The Iowa flag had twisted around in the wind and wasn't very visible but here's the label that goes with it.

On our way to Custer National Park we saw a big herd of buffalo. Big, dark colored bulls and cows were accompanied by cute brown calves. They were moving at a steady pace but stopped once in awhile to wait for babies to catch up. We were too far from them to get good pictures but we still tried.

Next stop: Custer National Park. We watched a movie about the park in an IMAX theater at the visitor's center. Now Carol and I both want to go to the buffalo round-up at the end of September. Ride 'em cowgirl.

Our last adventure of the day was a ride up the Needles Hy-way. If I thought the Iron Mt. Road was bad I just didn't realize what bad really was. It was a beautiful drive but oh my goodness! Curves, twists, turns on a road that looked like a pony cart would only fit on. Carol did a great job driving but I was leaning her direction and squealed a few times. Sorry about that Carol. 

The Needles

We finally made it to the top of this wild road only to have people stopped right in front of the last single lane tunnel of our trip. We kinda thought there had been an accident because vehicles were stopped where they shouldn't have been. Then up ahead we saw why so many had stopped and people were walking around. Mt. Goats. Several on the opposite side of the road but this guy was right outside our car. He looked a bit frightened or maybe just bored by all the commotion.

The Needles Tunnel, our last single lane tunnel. Moss and flowers were growing on the walls.

And at last, the Eye of the Needle. We can say we threaded the needle. The road to and from it truly resembled a piece of thread curled on a tabletop.

Our last animal sighting of the day, longhorns. Once again we were too far away to get a good close picture but they were amazing. Their horns stretched from here to Earlham. We're back in our room, ready for much needed rest. Tomorrow will be our last day of seeing what there is to see. Today is a first of the trip, we didn't see one Iowa car or meet any other Iowans.