there is so much to see and do in this area, it's the only place i stayed more than one night in a row. the first day was the badlands, the second day the black hills! as you can see, mahjong is most excited for this part of the adventure.
custer state park is a wonder that sits just south and west of rapid city and covers some of the best sights in the black hills. route 16A or "iron mountain road" is a scenic byway that travels a great length of the hills. fare warning, it is not for those prone to car sickness. several switchbacks, pigtail bridges and hairpin turns along the way. but the rewards of views and wildlife spotting are unparalleled. the weather was certainly better today than yesterday! gorgeous blue skies ahead.
why this picture of an open field you ask? look at the line of the forested hills above it. that little "bald spot" on jutting out? towards the middle of the picture? that would be mt rushmore! arguably the most famous attraction in this area. there are some amazing views of it as you travel further into the park.
a handful of alpine lakes sit at the low points among the hills.
my little camera hog could easily pass for one of the park deer. a little on the small side, but the right shape and colors!
a small detour, and viola! mt rushmore! leading up to the main viewing area is a display of all 50 state flags.
i opted to explore some of the trails to get a better view of the mountain. and yes, had flashbacks to "north by northwest"
and here they are....the granite faces of our nations forefathers. truly an iconic image of americana. fun facts, apparently the original design was to extend further down the mountain, capturing detail to their waists. but time and money ran out, so the carving stopped at the shoulders.
not far from mt rushmore is another massive rock carving (and one arguably more appropriate to this area). this is a work in progress commemorating the lakota chief crazy horse. the forefront is a small scale replica of how the mountain in the background will eventually be carved.
so far his face and part of his arm have been formed. a team of workers stand at the top carving and chiseling away this project decades away from completion. there is an amazing visitors center at the base of the mountain with stunning artwork and stories from the indigenous tribes of this area. a young sioux woman was demonstrating lakota "hoop dancing" while i was there.
following "wildlife loop road" offers impressive views of the park's resident wildlife. here a pronghorn antelope is grazing for his dinner.
at one point i stopped the car to get out and walk around. i heard the strangest noise. it was a low pitched screeching/crying/chittering/whining/purring sound. at first i though it was locusts. then i though maybe it was an alien invasion???? when i saw the ground was moving. in spots. little pops of movement and i realized. i was standing in a field of prairie dogs!!!! look at all those little brown spots poking up above the grass. there were hundreds of them!
a herd of burros was roaming by the roadside. not sure if they are part of a farm or just wild and free?
and of course, the iconic animal to this area. the bison.
after a full day of amazing sights, i was starving! steak seemed the appropriate choice for dinner in south dakota, and the "dakotah steakhouse" was conveniently located close to my hotel in rapid city. so tonight i was my "splurge" night. the steak came with a salad, and the culinary miracle that is fry bread!!!! also known as a "western scone" or "navajo bread" this stuff is amazing. a light and fluffy slightly sweet fried roll that melts in the mouth. especially when served with a bourbon honey butter like this one was!
my steak that evening was delicious! a petite filet topped with fried onions and accompanied by bleu cheese smashed potatoes (all the yes in the world). i slept soundly and peacefully after this decadent meal!
another city, another hotel, another bed.....
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