Custer State Park, South Dakota - September 2011

This huge park is amazing. Imagine driving down a road and seeing a bison or a big horn sheep along the side of the road. Welcome to Custer State Park.

Cars are slowly driving everywhere and if you see them pulled off the road, follow them; there's wildlife in sight. Unfortunately, some people try to get too close and/or are too loud, and the animals get spooked.

There's a wild herd of bison that is annually "rounded-up" for medical checkups and for a grand tourism spectacular. We did not make the 5:30ish a.m. start time but did check out the area a few hours later. Hundreds of cars were heading the opposite way and we finally arrived at the "pen" area. 

One Minute Video of the Bison

Here's the dark secret of the western round-up. Before the

bison, cowboys, and cowgirls ride up over the hill for the tourists,

pickup trucks have driven through the park, scaring the animals

and funneling them towards the pens. Ah well. It's a beautiful place

in spite of this subterfuge and the park's namesake. 

Visit if you have the chance.

  

Crazy Horse Memorial, West Custer, South Dakota - September 2011

This is an amazing mountain sculpture in

progress, the first blast taking place

 in 1948. It's not without controversy and it

has been operating without government

 funds (and control) by choice. 

Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski was selected by members of

the Lakota tribe, who chose the Black Hills of South

Dakota for the location. Korczak moved to the Black Hills after

World War II and devoted the rest of his life to the project. He

died in 1982 and is buried somewhere near the base of the mountain;

his family/foundation carries on with the project. 

In case you think you can walk up to the mountain and take

a look around, guess again. You must pay admission and take

the guided and timed bus trip there. The driver is full of information

and historical background so you probably won't be too irritated

by the fee. The sign is somewhat disingenuous as the

paid-for-bus-trips are allowed.

 

 

   Museums, displays, and retail booths are all over

the place and you might as well check them out, because

you've paid for admission.

 

It's altogether stupendous and impressive, and will be even

more so when it's completed.

Here's the wiki info link 

and here's a 35 second video driving away