Mt. Rushmore, Custer State Park, Scenic Drives, Buffalo Roundup

9/21/2011-9/27/2011

Heartland RV Park and Campground

Hermosa, SD

 

Wednesday, the 21st, was a travel day.  We headed south from the campground to SD44 and headed west to Rapid City, SD.  Then south on SD79 to Heartland RV Park

just south of Hermosa, SD.  The trip took just less than two hours and about 90 miles.

Thursday, the 22nd, we drove up to Keystone and took The Iron Mountain Highway south into Custer State Park.  This is a very scenic route with tunnels that frame Mt. Rushmore, curved bridges called Pigtail Bridges,

switchbacks, and scenic views.  Here’s a couple of photos of Mt. Rushmore from a distance.

After we finished the Iron Mountain Highway, we headed west and then north past the Crazy Horse Memorial.  We just drove by and looked at it from the road.  No pictures because I was driving.  Then on up to Mt. Rushmore.  Here’s an interesting angle.

We didn’t stop at Mt. Rushmore.  We’d had quite a few nice free views already and chose to keep our $11 parking fee.  We headed back through Keystone and then home for the day.

Friday, the 23rd, we went to Custer State Park and purchased our seven day pass for $15.  It was well worth it.  We spent quite a bit of time in the park.  We headed right to the Wildlife Loop Road.  We saw our first buffalo.

He seemed to be both the official greeter and roadblock.  Those specks out there are buffalo…

This loner is a beggin’…

and here are some of his friends up the road a bit…

We finished the Wildlife Loop Road and went north on SD87.  We stopped along the road for a moment at a very pleasant spot to read this marker and enjoy this peaceful spot along French Creek.

We followed SD87 north up to the Needles Highway.  Another very scenic drive with great views and more tunnels.

A rather narrow tunnel, better pull in those mirrors…

A view of the “eye” of the needle…

Another very enjoyable day of beauty.

Monday, the 26th, we went back to the Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park for the annual buffalo roundup.  Each year they round up all the buffalo to vaccinate, brand, and sort them out.  Some are held aside to be sold.  It was estimated that about 14,000 people came to watch the roundup.  We weren’t sure if we wanted to be on the south side view or the north side view.  We chose the south side view, and I think we had the better view.  It was fun watching them herd the buffalo into the fenced in pasture by horseback and pickup truck.  We were up on a hill, and across the valley was the other viewing area. Here we all are, just waiting…

and then the buffalo began to arrive…

Once they got close, it didn’t take long to get them into the fenced in area.  It was very exciting and fun to watch.

The next day, Tuesday, the RV park really started to empty out.  I suppose most of them were here for the roundup.

Here’s a couple of sunrise photos…

Yes, sunrise, not sunset.