South Dakota

I was impressed with Custer State Park, our base of exploration for "The Mount Rushmore State". The State Game Lodge, within the park, has the distinction of being a one time summer retreat of President Grover Cleveland and it is rumored that President Eisenhower cut his golf game short to spend three nights there in 1953. We didn't see their ghosts, but did see the rooms they slept in. Mom preferred Roosevelt's digs, but felt Mamie would have been less than satisfied with the small accommodations.

Our cabin sat west of the game lodge and was probably built by the CCC in the 1940's. We were greeted by an American buffalo and the American porta-pots, both remnants of the three day round-up held prior to our arrival. Amazingly, little else remained of the reported 10,000 souls who gathered to "whoop and holler" the buffalo into the corrals."Wildlife at large" signs were true to their word as I can attest to the viewing of multiple bison, prairie dogs, deer, antelope, female bighorn sheep and a vehicle favorite - the begging burros. We thought we were special, but apparently these little ponies work this stretch of road daily and have a long history of deceit.

After a glass of wine on the porch of the lodge, Diane and I decided to stalk a local brute at dusk. By hopping from cabin to cabin, and then leaping onto a picnic table, we were able to snap his picture incognito. He probably worked this group of cabins nightly and went home to complain to the wife about crazy tourists.

Worthy of time and gas are three scenic drives within the park - the Iron Mountain Road, the Needles Highway, and the Wildlife Loop. Stay tuned for pictures and commentary. I'm sure are dusky friend can't wait!