Up for a very early start to get to our sunrise safari at Custer State Park. Unfortunately had to leave this charming town without much exploration. Oh well…
On our way to the park we saw several deer, and even a Buffalo along the side of the road. Amazing!
Arrived at the park at 6:45 for our 7:00 tour and found that it was just Larry and I on the tour. We wound up having a private tour with our driver and guide, Rick.
These tours our given in extra long
open air jeeps (there is a canvas roof), so if was chilly! We had dressed warmly, but blankets and coffee were provided, which helped,
Rick provided us with the history and many informative facts and stories about the park and the animals. We were greeted by a huge bison, say some elk in the distance, also saw pong horned deer, regular deer, prairie dogs, and lots of birds.
The topography with its rolling hills and prairie is beautiful. Even saw where some movies were filmed, including Dances With Wolves. Rick even took us up the side to the top of the Knoll, which was totally worth the bumpy ride, and hat a spectacular view!
On past the Buffalo herds in the distance, and one up close, back to the end of our tour, and breakfast at the lodge,
Next it was off to Devils tower in Wyoming. On the road past Rapid city and finally into Wyoming, At dirt similar to the prairie of South Dakota, but seems much drier, with red iron in its rock formations. Arrived at Devils tower,which is seen miles away.
Again a Buffalo and prairie dogs greeted us as we drove up to park before walking around the tower.
This huge rock formation is sacred to over 20 Native American tribes. When walking around the base, there were many prayer bundles (pieces of cloth noted to try branches) placed there to release prayers into the wind, and are not to be disturbed.
Off to the trading post for ice cream, and on to our next stop, Casper. Now I have to say, this 100+ mile journey was the most desolate I have ever experienced. Miles and miles off vast rolling hills of prairie, with a few ranches and in some parts an oil drill, but limited structures,few if any trees, and no people! In fact we saw herd after herd of prong horn deer eating the long grass, along with lots of cattle off course. Can see why it is the cowboy state,and that it has the lowest population ( 585,587) of any state, but is the tenths largest!
Checked into our hotel, and off to dinner at the Wyoming Ale Works. Both of us had delicious meals, and enjoyed listening to a group cheer on Wyoming against Appalachian State ( learned later Wyoming pulled out the win!), but off to bed, as it’s been a long day. Tomorrow brings exploring Casper, and the Native American pony races!