June 19, 2019: Custer State Park

A couple of years back the park lost a few of these guys to the fire. It is so nice to see the survivors fully recovered and back to searching (begging) for food. Remember, no candy, fast food, chips, etc, bring carrots or an apple.

 Just in case you need any antlers.

June 19, 2019: Custer State Park

The antelope have been giving birth so part of the reason we traveled to the park was to see the young ones. I had been fortunate enough to take a tour to the Little Big Horn Battlefield and all along Rt. 212 we saw young antelope out with mom. Unfortunately for us we didn't see any little ones today.

 We left the main highway to drive some back roads in the park on our search. We found prairie dogs but no baby antelope.

 The late snow and regular rains have helped the spring flower show in the hills.

June 19, 2019: Custer State Park

We arrived in Custer State Park by 7:30 a.m. and as we began our drive on the Wildlife Loop we encountered the bison herd. I realize I post numerous bison photos but I don't get tired of watching them. We have had so much rain this year their coats don't look great because they don't have dry ground to roll on to rub off their winter coat. Maybe that is going to change. Notice how many of the shots have bison laying on the ground, their food is so plentiful they don't have to be eating all day. They get to eat, sleep, move and start over.

June 19, 2019: Just outside Custer City, SD

If you aren't aware Custer City was the first settled "town" in the Black Hills region. Col. Custer brought over 1000 troops, miners, newspaper reporters, geologists, zoologists and his African American cook into the region in 1874 to map the region and generally explore the area that was part of the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868. They had left Fort Abraham Lincoln (near Bismarck, ND) earlier in the year and in August found themselves camped at the southern end of the Black Hills.

 General information about the trip found on this sign.

 This picture and one that follows gives you a modern view of where Custer was camped. Imagine 1800-1900 horses, 300 head of cattle, and wagons camping in this area. It is said that once the lead wagon stopped for the day it took another 3-4 hours for the final wagon to reach camp. 

A Day in the Life

June 13 was spent touring the Pine Ridge Reservation with a group representing Blackhills & Badlands Tourism. Pine Ridge Chamber of Commerce President took us on an all tour sharing local sites that would interest tour groups our company will bring to the area. What a fascinating day, I have included some links to further explore a few sites. Singing Horse Trading Post was truly amazing, art work, art supplies and local Native Americans to answer questions.

https://www.redcloudschool.org/

https://www.singinghorse.net/

https://www.legendsofamerica.com/sd-woundedknee/

 This picture was taken at the Pine Ridge Chamber of Commerce Museum, the bead work is beyond description.

 Just a sample of the church windows at Red Cloud School. This is a Jesuit school and Lakota language instruction (immersion style) began 3-4 years ago. The Catholic Church also has switched services to about 75% Lakota language service. 

Friday morning I was up by 5:15 a.m. for another training day. This was especially important for me since it was a trip to the Little Big Horn Battlefield. I am now p.c. on this issue: traditionally if the Native Americans won the battle it was called a massacre, if the U.S. soldiers won, it was a battle. I'm trying to calling each a battle. I met my tour guide "instructor," loaded the van with the day's supplies and picked up our New Jersey family of four at their motel and we were on our way. In case you haven't been following the weather we have had an unusually wet winter and it has continued through spring so everything is green! 

 Our first stop was the Vore bison jump. This is an interesting look back to a period from the 1500s to the 1800s when Native Americans would stampede bison off this ledge (next picture) into the pit below. They then surrounded the injured bison below and shot arrows to finish the hunting work and begin the processing of meat for winter. Dating of use of this site is done based on the arrowheads found here. There have also been numerous wolf-dog skeletons excavated. The domestic dog wasn't strong enough to haul much meat out the processing pit (could contain up to 150 bison) so the first people began breeding a mix of dog and wolf........this is not a good idea. The wolf is loud, aggressive, restless and difficult to train, this was not easily bred out. The guide said they had to break off the front incisors because of the biting force which became a danger to the children. These animals still bit but the wound was not nearly so severe. This was not hunting for the faint of heart.

 Our second stop was at Devil's Tower. Because this is not the primary stop on our tour we allow time for pictures, restroom break and a bit of shopping.

 The primary focus of the day is The Little Big Horn battlefield. We listened to the ranger overview of the battle and then headed off to begin our tour at the Reno site and retrace troop and Native movements throughout the two to two and one half hours of the battle. Engagements between Natives and soldiers began about 3:00 p.m. and were over by 5:30 p.m. with Custer and between 42 and 49 men on last stand hill. I have been here numerous times, hiked, read and pondered, I will never understand what Custer was thinking. We were told that West Point has simply updated this battle for modern modern tactics teaching, never divide your force and then attack an enemy of unknown size. This is still considered an unwinnable decision. Custer had forced march his men the day before, worn his horses to a frazzle and then divided his force to engage an enemy that he was totally unaware numbered more than a 1,000 of the best guerrilla fighters in the country. The Natives were better armed and far better shots than most troops that served in the west at the time. The soldiers were attempting to use a single shot breech loading rifle that was accurate up to 900 yards against an enemy that had numerous repeating rifles and fought at close range. Libby Custer lost a husband, brothers-in-law, and a nephew that day. It is truly a site for reflection.

We then loaded our family and drove to Buffalo, WY for a stop at the Occidental Hotel and then back to Rapid City arriving home at 12:30 a.m. It was a wonderful tour with a family that had many questions. I hope we were able to satisfy some of their curiosity about this part of the country. 

May 15, 2019: Eastern SoDak

 Small towns in SoDak are struggling just like small towns everywhere. Jobs have moved to the cities and despite the weaknesses of cities our young have followed the jobs. This town was so interesting we had to stop, the trees had completely covered the sidewalk with flower petals and it created a beautiful scene against the clear blue South Dakota sky. 

 We had spotted this old bank turned coffee shop and restaurant and had to stop. Architecture has been maintained and we love to see buildings re-purposed for new business. I understand the expense involved but for many of us, that is the draw to stopping.

 Front entrance to the bank, stonework is beautiful and welcoming.

 We camped for the night at North Point Recreation Area which is a great park along the Missouri River. This year the Missouri is having serious flooding and part of the campground had been under water but staff was hard at work getting everything ready for the tourist season. The registration office had directed us to old Fort Randall and the rest of the pictures are from that historic site.

 All that remains of the original chapel is now protected by the new roof. Pretty amazing structure and I'm glad that money has been invested to save it.

 All that is left of the fort, besides the chapel, are some foundations. A walking tour explains what buildings were located where. 

 A walk along the Missouri at North Point shows the extent of flooding. The whole area where we are standing had been under water.

May 11, 2019 Visit to Open Cut Mine Between Harney and Keystone

 Our class at the entrance to the open cut mine. It isn't clear what the original purpose was for.......gold, feldspar, mica, etc. but mica won out. It is a favorite place for target shooting and dumping trash.

 Further into the open cut you get a better idea of the effort put into this.

 This is a view from the top looking into the mine. I have no idea of the number of miners, owners, or value of the mica removed.

 Near the open cut is the beginning of a shaft mine for what is called lode mining. No, there isn't a fence protecting you if you're here after dark with no light. You would have a 20' drop and sudden stop at the bottom. When hiking in the hills pay attention if you are in mining areas. The Black Hills has over 100 abandoned mines.

May 11, 2019: Hermosa and Hayward, Class Field Trip

 South of Rapid City on the way to Hermosa we have passed this house a number of times always wondering who lived there, what did they do and what happened to them. Our instructor told us it is rumored that this was a stage stop on the Sidney, NE to Deadwood, SD run. If wagons didn't enter the Black Hills through Buffalo Gap they skirted around the edge and entered from the north.

 Hermosa, SD bank. Old town had a fire and never really rebuilt. This was quite the town in stage and early rail travel. If you notice on the next picture there are two bullet holes in the sign. One is the upper loop of the 'B' and the other is upper left of the 'A.'

 The original Masonic Lodge which is now the town history museum with a new lodge built next door.

 This is the church attended by President Coolidge when he summered in Custer State Park and Rapid City Central High School contained his office.

 Hermosa Cemetery has the cannons from Dry Tortugas Prison. Dr. Mudd was the man who set Booth's broken leg after the Lincoln assassination. 

 Hayward, SD. Except for a few cabins all that remains of an early vacation spot. After Harney, Hayward was next on the gold fever trail and finally Keystone.

 Stopped at the old Hayward Cemetery, it is quite the trek uphill. The following are all views of that cemetery.

May 9, 2019: Custer State Park

 Taken through the front windshield of our car, the classic bison road block......more later.

 The reason for our drive through Custer today was to see the baby bison and we weren't disappointed.

 Use your imagination and think about what 50,000 to 100,000 bison would have looked like just over 150 years ago.

 We had driven some muddy roads on this trip and the bison see you as a moving mineral lick. They don't do the best job getting your car clean but if I wouldn't have kept creeping along they would have done a perfect job.