Land of bison and other animals

 July 28-29, 2025

Custer's Gulch RV Park site 25

Custer, SD

Momma and Pam returned to the rig today after their excursion and Momma said she really can't understand why they picked the name 'Bear Country USA' for the attraction.

  The bears were really cute, especially the playful cubs

but there were so many more animals than just bears to see.  

The attraction has a drive thru area to view larger animals

as well as a walk around area to view smaller creatures.

Now here's a creature who has a unique life.  

This monkey's owner/caregiver is here for the Sturgis Rally and travels via motorcycle.

Of course a trip to Custer wouldn't be complete without a stop at the Purple Pie for a taste of their delicious pies and/or ice cream.

Downtown Custer has a bison on every corner.  Each one painted in a unique way.

You can easily find bison on the menu in this area as well.....served as a stew

or a meatloaf

or you could enjoy a bison brisket sandwich

There is also the opportunity to go on a bison hunt on a hay wagon, complete with cowboy hats.  Yeehaw!

  Dad and Momma didn't think sitting on a hard wooden bench in a wagon didn't sound very appealing when they could be viewing bison from the comfort of their cushioned Ram seats.  They took a pass.

Some entrepreneurs even name their business after bison...as in the Bearded Buffalo Resort.

Tomorrow we depart from this area for a visit to the Badlands.

I'm Chloe

Needles

 July 27, 2025

Custer's Gulch RV Park site 25

Custer, SD

Momma, you have plenty of needles in your sewing kit.  Why are you taking the truck to see more needles?  Oh, I get it now.  It's one of the loops on this map of Custer State Park....the Needles Loop named for the needle looking rock formations.

There were lots of people taking advantage of the lovely weather, a comfortable mid 80's degrees today, especially those driving motorcycles.  There are numerous twists and turns on the Needles Loop which motorcyclists would find appealing.  

No one in our group was 'brave' enough to drive on the narrow road that twisted and turned with sharp drop offs and two one lane tunnels that have a clearance width of 8 feet except Dad who is the master of his Ram.  He knows right where is tires are on the road and traveled the Needles Loop with expertise.

 

Momma pulled the mirror in on her side when they went thru the longer of the two tunnels to give the Ram more room to maneuver in the tunnel that had a slight bend in it with rough cut side walls.

Everyone was hoping for a sighting of a mountain goat but the only wildlife spotted was a couple of deer today.

Taking advantage of the great weather, dinner from the grill was served on the picnic table again tonight.  After cleaning off the table, washing and drying the dishes, Dad lit another campfire to bring the day to a close.

I'm Chloe

Project day

 July 26, 2025

Custer's Gulch RV Park - site 25

Custer, SD

Project day today.  Robin's parts arrived for his brakes on the trailer so they guys spent the day crawling around and getting brakes to the fourth wheel. 

All goes together well when you have the right parts.

Momma spent the morning on inside chores while I enjoyed some fresh air and watched the guys 

Today was the first day we actually got to grill dinner.  We had talked about it several times but it was either too windy, too hot or the meat was still frozen.  

Steak on the grill with baked potatoes, corn pudding, bean salad and grape salad enjoyed at the picnic table.  The weather was perfect for a perfect meal.

Another first on this trip.  Dad built a fire in the campground fire pit.

After dinner coffee, made in the new coffee maker, enjoyed by the campfire.  

I'm Chloe

1880's Train

 July 25, 2025

Custer's Gulch RV Park

Custer, SD

You're beginning to make a habit of this zipping out the door as soon as breakfast is done.  Oh, you didn't want to miss the train.  

So you boarded in Keystone

on an 1880's train pulled by a steam engine.

The train ride was a tad noisy....and that's not because the train whistle blew at 14 train crossing as we zig zagged with the road.  It was because of a couple of families traveling together who acted like they were the only ones around and rudely gabbed in loud voices the whole trip without giving anyone a chance to hear any announcements or commentary that was being broadcast over a speaker system.

a picture taken from the train window of the train cars rounding a bend 

the conductor receiving the 'all aboard' announcement

The train stopped at the depot in Hill City in just under an hour where lunch was enjoyed at Alpine Inn followed by some shopping.  Check out this T shirt.

Someone has a sense of humor.

The train trip back to Keystone was a pleasant trip.  Everyone could hear the commentary as well as the sound of the train riding on the tracks.  Very courteous train riders on this trip.

All the train employees were super friendly, helpful, and seemed to enjoy their jobs.

Dad said he was glad our train car had padded seats for a more comfortable ride.

I had a nice LONG nap while they were gone.  And no sooner did they return and Pam and Momma went buffalo hunting on the Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park.  Dad decided to keep me company and let me chase my ball a bit.

The gals had a successful trip.  Hunter Pam took Momma off the paved road, onto a dirt road, and they had an up close encounter with buffalos.  Momma, I can't use all these pictures.  There are just too many.  Everywhere you look there were buffalo...some close by and others in the grassland area...babies as well as adults.

Several herds were spotted as they traveled on the dirt road.

As they drove further, they came upon pronghorn who were enjoying dinner.

It was a successful evening for gathering animal pictures.

I'm Chloe