Church was held at 9 a.m. and amazingly, the chapel was just 10 blocks from us right on our street! After church was over, we came back, changed our clothes and took the dogs for a walk before we left again and headed to Custer State Park.
Since it was Sunday, we thought we'd take the opportunity to tour the park and see if we could find a few bison (Tatanka in the Lakota language) especially since it's the birthing season. The last time we came to Custer State Park in 2012, we only saw one bison and amazingly, that bison was hidden under a tree grazing. I pulled over and he kept coming closer to us as he grazed and before five minutes had passed, he was leaning right up against our rental car. It was amazing.
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| My 2012 Tatanka - Fabulous Photo, huh?! |
I didn't check the map but knew it was off Hwy 16A and we are parked on Hwy 16 so I just headed down the highway and we came to Hwy 16A and then followed the road. Last time we came, we drove in from Custer and this time we're entering the park from the opposite direction. We drove along a narrow and windy road, through one-way tunnels, saw amazing views of the Black Hills and then stopped at one view point, which turned out to be awesome because we could see Mt. Rushmore three miles away across the valley!
As we continued on our drive, we soon came to the boundaries of Custer State Park. The best part about today was that this weekend was the last day of the season kick-off at the park and admission was free for the past three days only. Fees are normally, $20 for a weekly park license for car and $10 for motorcycle. An annual pass is $30 per vehicle, $15 for a second vehicle. If you are just driving through the park and not stopping in the park, you can go through at no cost. Custer State Park also has wonderful camping areas as well, large enough for even the large RVs. Our favorite camp spots included Game Lodge Campground, Grace Coolidge Campground, Blue Bell Campground and Legion Lake Campground.
Soon, we came to the east entrance visitor's center and we stopped to see what the center had to offer. They had a very nice large map of the park and noted where they knew the bison were as well as closed roads, etc. Also, were a nice display of bison information and a theater with a 20-minute bison presentation. The man at the visitor's center chatted with up and told us that in case any calves were near the road to watch for their umbilical cords. Apparently, once a calf is born, it takes seven days for the cord to fall off. If you see a calf with their cord, it's less than a week old.
When we left the visitor's center we cross the road and drove along the Wildlife Loop Road along the perimeter of he park. There are also some adjacent roads, but we didn't have the time to explore those this trip. Soon after the got on this loop, the first thing we spotted were two antelopes - male and female - at different locations. Both of the antelope we very close to the car, so that was surprising. We also saw a field of antelope half way through the drive.
Soon, we came upon our first view of two big Tatanka bulls! They were huge and just sitting right off the road. I pulled right up and we just sat there while they sat in the grass. They were SO CLOSE! I loved it!
Soon enough, we found ourselves looking up on the hills in the distances where there we multiple herds of bison with babies frolicking and racing around. Some we close - but shadowed by the brush, other way up on the hills. Such a sight. We also learned from the guide at the visitors center that the herd is matriarchal ruled and during the birthing season, he forces off all the bulls until the calves are born and thriving before they are welcomed back into the herd. The close up photos below were a few bison nearer the road through the brush.
As we left the boundaries of the park and headed back home, we across came across a 1,900 pound bull right on the edge of the road grazing away. We were so shocked. So, we stopped mid-road and just watched and photographed him. Other cars don't find because they are just as interested in viewing the wildlife as you are. He didn't even care that we were there. He was just enjoying his lunch. If you notice the pine needles on his coat, they are there because they are rubbing themselves against trees to help strip off their winter coat.
You've probably noticed the red trees and probably wonder why there are red pines in the spring. Apparently there was fire and these are remnants of the fire. This is good for re-growth and the trees are in process of being cut.
As we finalized our tour, we hooked back to where we came in and left the park but we also saw some gorgeous views of the valleys from the opposite direction. We enjoyed the land, valley, foliage, plants and animals. Such a beautiful world God has created for us to enjoy! We are so blessed.
Also, before I close this post, there is another great Bison attraction in the area called Kevin Costner's Story of the Bison in Deadwood, South Dakota. I won't blog on this now, but will save it for when I go there and see it...
Lastly, here is Advice from a Bison that I'm going to frame. I love it!
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