After the buffalo round up we drove through the state park enjoying the many views that the landscape had to offer.  The park boasts a beautiful campground, many picnic areas and a lake.  The area surrounding the park is made up of many large quartz mountains and spires going several hundred feet in the air.  These spires afford many areas for mountain climbers to practice their skills.

Rock climbing in Custer State park (Not me!)

The road through the park had many sharp twists, turns hills and two tunnels.

One road in the park was named Needles highway.  We found out why when we came to the Needles tunnel.

Needles Eye Tunnel

On the other side of the tunnel we had a traffic jam caused by some of the local inhabitants.

Mountain Goats

Many vehicles stopped to take pictures including us.

Connie Scigliano with her new friend

We enjoyed watching the goats feed on the side of the mountain.  It was more fun watching the people watch the goats!

Large VW Bus!

We ended our park tour looking at the lake prior to heading back to the motorhome for dinner and much needed rest.

Sylvan Lake

We arrived at French Creek campground in Custer South Dakota on Thursday Sept. 29. Connie, our sister-in-law arrived about 4:30.  We rested that night and made plans for the big day on Friday.  The Custer State park buffalo round-up!  After getting the low down from the campground owner we decided to leave for the park at 6AM.  As many as 15,000 people attend this event every year. We joined the throng of people in line winding our way through the park not really knowing where we were going.  The line of cars finally came to a standstill and inched along for 45 minutes until we reached the hill overlooking the herd several miles away.  The event is very well-organized with an army of volunteers helping to park vehicles on the hill-side. There was a huge food tent set up where coffee and a pancake breakfast was being served.  The lines were long for food and the porta- jons!

Pancake breakfast anyone?

There were many colorful characters including the one below.

Buffalo Bill Cody look-alike

South Viewing area

From our vantage point we looked at the South Viewing area. {Photo above} The cowboys and round-up vehicles came from behind that area and encircled the herd of about 1300 buffalo two miles away and started driving them towards us.

Buffalo headed our way!

As the herd and riders got closer we could hear the snap of the whips and reins as the cowboys pushed the animals toward us, heard in the video below.

The buffalo finally thundered past us on their way to their next huge holding pen. The purpose of the drive is to tag the newborns and vet check each animal.  They draw blood, give shots, do a fecal exam and an ultrasound to determine pregnancy on each female.

The wranglers move individual buffalo into position in the chute.  Then each one is held in place with a mechanical collar while the vets do their work.

YUK!  This is the part that made our daughter Lindsay not want to be a vet!

Each animal was released no worse for wear but happy to rejoin the herd.

Safe to pet this one

Had enough of that!

In the huge enclosure waiting their turn for the chute, each animal enjoyed hay and each other’s company.

We ended our round-up experience by eating a chuck-wagon dinner and walking past the huge animals one last time on our way to the car.  Custer State Park held an amazing event enjoyed by young and old.  We talked to some people who make attending it an annual event.

We said goodbye to the Badlands and headed to Custer South Dakota. Our plan was to meet our sister-in-law Connie Scigliano and watch the buffalo round-up on Friday and then my brother Steve and his wife Sue would join the three of us to walk up the Crazy Horse Memorial on Sunday. But we first had to get there. We pulled out of the Badlands park and I asked Nancy if she wanted to drive.  As usual she said no, I was doing just fine. With no one behind me in sight I parked in the middle of the road and left the captain’s chair open.  She had no choice but to climb in. With grit and determination she grabbed the wheel, released the brake and pushed the pedal to the floor. The mighty diesel rolled down the road with a new captain at the helm. The road was smooth and void of traffic lending itself to a great place for a novice driver.  Nancy gave up the wheel after about 20 miles by saying “been there and done that!” I’m glad she drove so now she and I know that she can take the helm if need be. She looks like a pro!

We left Luverne MN on Sept. 28 and arrived in South Dakota at the Badlands National Park.  We set up camp in the Cedar Pass campground and immediately went exploring.  We were lucky to get a camp site with electric, only about 30 percent of the sites have electricity and everything is first come first serve with no reservations.

Most National Parks have great information at the visiter center so we go there first to talk to the ranger, get maps of the area and learn about trails that we would like to hike and watch the video about the park.  The name “Badlands” fits this geological wonder very appropriately.  It is hard to imagine wandering through the area on foot or horse back.  Today many of the trails are well-marked or wood platform side walks while others are marked trails through the desert. The desert can be a dangerous place! While we looked for snakes and scorpions we never saw any.

Our first hike took us to a canyon ending in a wooden ladder going up a cliff. I took the challenge while Nancy stayed at the bottom and took pictures.

Our first hike led us into this canyon

You better stay down there

Made it!

Up on the side of the cliff

The trail led along the top of the cliff for about 50 yards.  I stopped when I came to this sign!

I decided at this point to turn back since I didn’t have my regular hiking boots on and didn’t feel exactly too safe. Yes, I did have to climb back down the ladder! We walked on a couple of boardwalk trails that wound around several mountains.  The views were spectacular and the sunset was stunning.

That night we fell into bed exhausted which became a very familiar event during the next three weeks.

We woke up way too early (according to Nancy) to beat the sunrise.  We were on the “Castle” trail as the sun rose over the cliffs behind our backs.  We walked into the desert  about two miles as the sun played on the many cliffs and rock formations around us.  Ten minutes into the walk we were alone, back in time, with the stillness of the desert surrounding us. The sunrise was amazing, the colors in the sky were bright and so clear.  It is really hard to describe.

Sunrise

Just before sunrise looking west

About a mile into our hike we came upon six deer feeding in the coulee just ahead of us.  they would walk 10 yards, stop and stare at us. They were really pretty friendly.

I told Nancy that there was another one on the next ridge.  She looked through her camera and said NO! it was a big horn sheep.  A beautiful ram stood there long enough for a long-range photo.  This is the first big horn sheep that we have seen in the wild.  Very exciting for us.

After breakfast we continued our exploration with several scenic overlooks. The most notable was the route that “Big Foot’s” band of indians took on their way to wounded Knee SD where they were massacred several days later.

The Badlands are such a strange and mysterious place.  Nancy and I will be back to explore more nooks and crannies of this wonderful place.

September 27 2016

We left Forest City Iowa and drove to Luverne MN arriving at Blue Mounds State Park located 5 miles north of Interstate 90.  We were searching for a good stopping point on our way to the Badlands SD.  Blue Mounds was named for the bluish color of the hills surrounding the area caused by the blue lichen growing on the pink quartz.

Upon on arrival we talked to the Park Ranger and she told us about the various things to do around the area.  We learned that Pipestone National Monument was only 24 miles north so we quickly set up on our campsite and headed out.

Picture depicting then and now

Articles made by Native American Artisans

Pipestone was small in size but was really interesting.  This is the only spot in the country where Native Americans quarried stone soft enough to make smoking pipe bowls.  Their pipes are used in many ceremonies, religious and others. This stone was traded among the Tribes around the country. We hiked around the area looking at the rock formations, the quarry site and a water fall.  The quarry is still used today and only Native Americans are allowed to quarry rock.  When the area was “sold” to the US Government part of the written document included the ability for Indians to continue to quarry stone forever.  It is said that this is the ONLY agreement that the US Government has honored with the Indians. Each small quarry site is identified with a Tribe or individuals colors.

Sun setting behind us as we looked into the pipestone pit

Tools against the back wall

Paved walkway to the different pit sites and waterfall

Headdress in the visitor center

We left Pipestone having a better understanding of Native American culture and an appreciation for their artisan skills.

We saw a herd of buffalo near the entrance to the Blue Mounds Park.  They were having fun doing their Buffalo thing.  They are huge animals and fun to watch.

That night we enjoyed a little wine and a warm fire. We slept really well.

The next day, Sept. 28 was cold and windy.  We dressed warmly and went on a short hike to a quartz rock quarry in the park. We played around on the rocks and then headed back to the rig after scaring up four pheasants and looking at more buffalo.

Stair step waterfall at Blue Mound State Park

After the hike we packed up and headed to the Badlands SD.

We left Paw Paw Michigan on September 26 after staying overnight at Crystal Flash.  CF manager Kevin Stoddard filled our propane tanks and we were off.  We left at 7:15 AM facing an overcast sky and rain but our spirits were high.  Our destination that day was Forest City Iowa to tour the Winnebago factory.  We had been there about 15 years before but we wanted to see if there had been any production changes.  The rain lifted and the sun came out about two hours into the drive. What a glorious day!!!  We arrived at the factory in Forest City Iowa without incident and set up for the night.

The following day the factory tour started out with a 20 minute video explaining the history of Winnebago and viewing the various construction processes. we then loaded on a bus to see the action up close and personal.  Unlike most other RV factory tours Winnebago does not allow you to get close to or see all of their construction processes.  I was disappointed in their roof and wall design for they still use luan plywood as a backer for the exterior walls and roof.  After the tour we packed up about noon and headed for Blue Mounds State park in Minnesota.

It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since retiring from full time work. My dad always said that time flys by and it sure does. Last summer was spent getting ourselves organized and attending our usual music events around Michigan. On October 3, 2015 we said goodby to family and friends and struck out on our first adventure.

Day 1 was amazing, we learned to follow the GPS (Maggie) pretty faithfully. The six hour expected drive took eight because we took a “short-cut” on highway 40 in Pennsylvania. After driving up and down mountains peaking at 3200 feet I was exhausted and ready to stop.  “Maggie” said that we couldn’t safely reach our destination from our current position.  I asked directions, yes can you believe it? We ultimately made it to a beautiful Core of Engineer Park. I quickly stopped the Motorhome jumped out and kissed the ground and hugged Nancy. We had arrived at Confluence PA. The COE park is located right on the Allegheny Passage Rails to Trails bike bath. We were looking forward to a wonderful ride in the morning.

We visited the local bike shop in town and received great info from the owner.  After telling him that we only had a few days he recommended several areas to ride.