Happy Trails with Mike & Ellen Taylor

37 degrees, light rain mixed with a little sleet, June 2--unbelievable! This was the weather the day we left Custer State Park, SD. We really enjoyed camping in this large beautiful park, though. The campsites were really large and grassy, and there were bison everywhere. One evening we took the dogs for a walk, but when we walked back toward our area of the park, there were 2 bison grazing right on the walkway. Mike suggested we walk on the road, but there were 2 more bison. After waiting about 20 minutes for them to move, and they didn't, we walked back to a lodge where someone called a park ranger to come and give us a ride to our camp area! Within the park was a wildlife scenic drive, which we took one evening. More bison and pronghorn antelope!

From our base in the State Park, we went to nearby Mt. Rushmore. We enjoyed not only seeing the sculpture, but also reading all about the design and making of the monument. The visitors' center had fascinating displays and photos of the process and the men involved. We also went for a drive on the Needles Highway--"needles" for the unusual pointed rock formations along the road and on either side of the tunnels. A big surprise for us was our visit to Badlands National Park, where the photo above was taken. We drove along rolling prairie grasslands, and suddenly these expansive rock formations, canyons, and buttes came into view. They were stark and beautiful. We had no idea that this area is home of the largest mammal fossil beds in the world.

Prior to our week in Custer State Park, we spent a few days in Hardin, MT, and visited Little Bighorn National Monument. We heard an interesting talk on the battle, walked and drove through the hills where the battle took place, and saw the 1881 monument honoring the cavalry and the 1993 memorial to the Indians. It was all quite impressive.

From the 37 degree weather earlier in the week, we were glad to move south. We are 25 miles east of Estes Park, and looking forward to a visit from Gwen this weekend. The weather here is mild, much more pleasant than that Texas heat we're hearing about!