Thursday, August 23, 2007

Custer Park ... not last stand - South Dakota









We took a beautiful drive through the park ... it is considered a "wild life loop". We saw Pronghorn deer, 2 flocks of wild turkey, burros and a herd of buffalo ... we sat with the buffalo (in the car of course) for about 15 minutes.

There is an annual auction of the buffalo to the public. The park system posts a map of where they have gone ... I'm proud to announce that Ohio has some from this herd. The herd is maintained at 1500 ... the male sure are BIG!

The burros in the park are adorable ... they come right up to the car window ... we didn't have an apple for them and were sorely disappointed. We have remedied that for today ... just in case (our breakfast bar in the hotel is working out very nicely) That little guy worked on his leg a long time ... must have really itched!

The burros are not native to the Black Hills. They are descendants from the herd that once hauled visitors to the top of HarneyPeak. The rides were discontinued years ago and the burros were released into the park.

One more tidbit ... Harney Peak at 7,242 feet is the greatest of the Black Hills ... it is considered the loftiest mountain between the Rockies and the Swiss Alps.

4 comments:

Cathy said...

Awwww . . . how sweet are those burros and how wonderful are the pictures from the badlands and Mt. Rushmore! Really! Great photos.

Beth said...

Thanks Cath ... I'm having a trip of a life time ... we're really doing well ... tonight were in Sheridan, WY

love, b

May said...

Hi Beth and Aunt Carolyn!

I loved the pics of the buffalo and burros! Makes ya wanna reach out and touch them! I hope you gave them a hug for me! hahaha! Just kidding. The pictures are breathtaking Beth! Be safe!!!

Anonymous said...

We are getting some of the rain you had this morning sort of! Love the Jack A.... No Elephants I see??? Bax and Zoe are munching on some cow hide and I am here after a quick trip to and from the driving range. One week to go and I should be hooking up right about now (6 pm here) I suspect. Talk to you in the AM. Me