I done r-u-n-n-o-f-t: Bison and Burros and...Prairie Dogs. oh my

*****THIS IS A CATCH-UP POST*****

June 16, 2013

Custer, South Dakota

First of all, Happy Birthday to my sister Karen!! Sorry it's late, but we're on Mountain Time ;-)

We wanted to tour this area of the country to see the famous Mt. Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Monument and the Wind and Jewel Caves. We also noticed there was a state park close by, Custer State Park. One of our RV neighbors was raving about it, especially the Wildlife Loop Road, so we decided to take look. With cameras ready we slowly made our way through the park. We were not disappointed. Whitetail and Mule deer, prairie dogs, buffalo/bison and burros put on quite a show. I have to say initially the burros were a crowd favorite. They aren’t native, but are descendants of the working burros, left over from earlier mining industry. And apparently it is o.k. to feed them (but not other wildlife). It was a thrilling encounter, as you can see.

Beautiful park.

First close up "wildlife".

Not so wild.

Aggressive panhandling, South Dakota style.

Mmmm, is that peanut butter in your hair?

Itchy.

Pretty.

The ever-observant prairie dogs.

Cool Pronghorn.

Our first glimpse of bison.

Then it was time for lunch and a stop by the park office for a fishing license. We had noticed some dark clouds while petting the burros, but they seemed to be blowing over. However, near the park office, we heard a few large raindrops fall, then a few more, but louder. All of a sudden we’re being pelted with hail. My first thought, find shelter for the new truck! So we quickly stopped under some trees and saved the truck, but could do nothing to save our son who wanted to experience hail personally.

Don't worry. It'll blow over.

Oh, hail! The new truck!

Yeah, we told you it would hurt.

I find it sad that this needs to be posted.

Very pretty swallow at the ranger station.

Being low on gas, we drove into town to fill up the truck and us. We ate outside at a little pizza place and were blessed with watching a robin fledge his nest, right above our table. I was so excited I forgot to take pictures. Back in the park, the rain is gone and it's beautiful out.

In a late day attempt to see more bison, we turn off the paved road onto a little dirt cut-through. Almost immediately, we see them, with a bonus of deer.

Then we turn the corner, and....

KAPOW...they're everywhere.

Even in the middle of the road.

Guess we'll just have to wait and watch until they move. Too bad.

Ha ha...stay in the car!

Mommaaaaa!

Itchy.

Caution, objects in mirror are closer than they appear.

Hungry.

Itchy.

Itchy. Hey Shaggy, where's Scoob?

So, with an hour of buffalo/bison overload, we move on. Immensely content already, we continue to look for more. On the next dirt road we are confronted with the terrible.....