First day in Custer

 July 24, 2025

Custer's Gulch RV Park site 25

Custer, South Dakota

Well, you are all off to any earlier than usual start.  Heading to view some granite rocks.  Okay, so it is a fabulous monument sculpted/carved with the help of dynamite and drills that is an extremely popular tourist attraction.  It took 14 years rather than the 5 predicted and over a million dollars rather than the predicted five thousand dollars to complete.  But it is definitely a masterpiece!

Momma and Dad had the opportunity to visit previously but this is another item for Pam to check off on her bucket list.

Dad said they have completed some improvements over the years since his previous visit.  At that time, Golden Triangle friends Archie and Bobby Jo were working as Cafe Manager and Employee Shuttle Driver respectively.  I'm sure their salary was more than the eighty six cents a day the workers received back in the late 1920's and early 1930's for hanging off the side of the cliff and managing heavy tools, after climbing the 700 stairs daily to arrive at the job site.  Of course that was considered good money back then, especially during the depression.  It was good to be able to have work. And the project created even more jobs housing and feeding all the workers as well as the secretarial positions created.

Momma said she wasn't aware that the sculptor, Gutzon Borglum passed before the completion of the project and his son, Lincoln, who had been deeply involved in the project and well liked by the workers was chosen to complete the project.  

It was also interesting to hear that Jefferson was originally to the far left, but due to poor rock quality, they blasted the original, incomplete sculpture off the face of the rock and began again in a new location.  It must have been depressing to destroy all that work and have to begin over.  

Momma and Dad remember the impressive 50 states flag entrance with the plaques listing the year of statehood for each state.

Neither Momma nor Dad remember the movie at the theatre or the display with videos and large photos sharing the story of the construction and how it all came to be. 

It was good to return to the monument, but I think Dad was even more excited over the next stop of the day.  It was time to replace the coffee maker.  Out with the old.  In with the new.  It had served Dad well for over a dozen years providing numerous cups of coffee. 

It was also time for prescription refills.  Rapid City was the place to accomplish both of those tasks.  As well as put a huge smile on Dad's face when they stopped at a Culver's for lunch. 

He was ready for a Culver's, creamy, strawberry concrete.  Their ice cream is top notch, according to Dad and Momma.

The ending to the day was almost as sweet as that Culver's treat.  Dad broke in his new coffee maker with a hot cup of great tasting coffee and then took Momma on the Wildlife Loop in the park.  

Before even entering Custer State Park, 6 deer crossed the road right in front of them.  A couple had nice sized antlers.

Momma said she was sad that they had relocated the buffalo to another area so the only way they could be viewed was from afar.

But the deer, pronghorn, rabbits, turkeys and prairie dogs were close up and available for photos.

They were gone for over two hours driving that short loop.  I guess they really enjoyed all the animals, but I know they love me best!

I'm Chloe