Day 7 - Custer State Park was beautiful. Our first stop was driving to a an overlook of the Black Hills at Mt. Coolidge Fire Tower. It reminded me that Grandpa Moore worked a summer as a look out in a fire tower in Alaska. Then we headed around the wildlife loop and it did not disappoint. We say pronghorns, burros and bison. We had a picnic lunch at the Visitor Center, got the kids badges and then headed to drive the Iron Mountain Road. This scenic road takes you back toward Mr. Rushmore and you get a view of it as you drive and go through a couple of tunnels. We didn't get too far when traffic came to a stop. There was an accident that closed down the road both ways so we had to turn around. Instead we drove the Needles Highway up to Sylvan Lake. On our way we passed a bunch of fire vehicles. As we got to the lake we were trying to decide if the kids would be allowed to go swimming but the decision was made for us. The park rangers closed the lake to swimmers because two helicopters came to scoop up water for a forest fire that started near by. So we walked around the lake. It was so beautiful. We also climbed on the same rocks that Nicolas Cage climbed on in the movie National Treasure 2. We just wished we had watched it before we went but did just after we got home. It was also really cool to watch the fire helicopters. After a day of a lot of driving Quinn went searching for letter boxes at the Custer, SD Cemetery and the kids and I relaxed at the hotel. After some very yummy pizza we drove back to Mt. Rushmore so we could see the monument lit up at night. We are so glad we did even though we were all very tired. It was worth it!
The view!
The fire tower and looking at pronghorns.
The pronghorns.
During the mining days burros were brought in to haul packs up and down the hills. As the mining died out the burros were left to roam the park. Now visitors are able to pet and feed them. This was so much fun.
The bison herd was off in the distance but just after we pulled over to watch they turned and headed right for us. It was really awesome to see a huge herd on the move.
The kids earned their Jr. Ranger badge and the traffic jam.
Big Horn Sheep and the Needles Highway.
The Eye of the Needle.
The one way tunnel we drove through.
Sylvan Lake
A small waterfall and below the dam of the lake.
Fun rock path to the top of the dam.
On top of the dam.
Back at the hotel and Mt. Rushmore.
Day 8 - We are headed home but only had a 3.5 hour drive to Casper WY. So we stopped at Jewel Cave National Monument. We knew the cave was closed but the kids did the Jr. Ranger program and we went for a short easy hike. The kids were super happy to be able to swim at the hotel that night.
Day 7 - We were all anxious to get home. It has been a fun week but we all needed just a bit of space. We did stop for about an hour and half at Independence Rock. It just happened to be Pioneer Day so it was very fitting. The rock is much bigger that it looks and it took us longer to walk around than we thought it would. But Quinn found a letter box there and it was nice to stretch our legs. We also stopped at Martin's Cove but it was closed an there wasn't anything to really see. One highlight was stopping in a small town with a population of 200 for a pit stop. We found a local diner and got yummy shakes to drink in the car. After a very long day of driving we finally arrived home to tired to go see the fireworks that night at the park or even go outside and watch any in the neighborhood.
A fun bridge and we spotted a bunny.
Finding the letter box.
Devils Gate - The pioneers came through here. Independence Rock is about 6 miles on the other side and after you pass through the gate you are almost to Martin's Cove.
