Custer State Park is 71,000 acres of beauty. Ponderosa Pines, rolling hills and pastures make it visually spectacular. The park has so much to do that we easily could have spent three to four nights here. The buffalo round up in September would be an amazing time to return. Once a year the herd of 1400 buffalo are rounded up for a count and medical checks. The sheer power of seeing these animals on the move must be remarkable. This morning we woke in our cabin and went to the main lodge for a great buffet breakfast. The kids loaded up on eggs, bacon, waffles and french toast for the buffalo safari ride we had scheduled at 11:00am. The safari was two hours of off-road exploration of the park in search of wildlife. As advertised we saw a lot of buffalo but we also saw bluebirds, pronghorn deer (and fawns) and a great sighting of elk - thanks to Pop-pop’s sharp eye! After the safari we took the long way back to Palmer Gulch by driving down Route 87, better know as Needles Highway. This 15 mile drive of hairpin turns, narrow roads and shockingly few guard rails has breathtaking views and white knuckle driving. We came upon three tunnels big enough for one car only (and sometimes barely that!) It truly was taking the scenic way home. Back in Palmer Gulch, the kids swam and enjoyed the clear blue sky and warm weather. Tomorrow we head to Wyoming to see Devils Tower and then on to Deadwood for a night in the wild wild west. It is going so fast!
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| Cabin at Custer State Park |
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| Buffalo laying around |
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| Black Hills on Needles Highway |
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