Day 5 Custer, Wy

Custer, SD

Sunday, July 13, 2008

After breakfast at a dusty café that serves rib sticking food, we headed north out of Wyoming into South Dakota. A short day of only 180 miles with stops at Wind Cave NP, Custer SP, and Mt. Rushmore.

At Wind Cave we took a cave tour and then went above ground to the largest opening for this immense cave – a hole no bigger than a cowboy’s hat, one through which wind blows at 30 MPH - in or out, depending on the barometric pressure, breathing for the cave. Though there are 100 miles of known passages in Wind Cave, it remains only 5% explored after 100 years. More pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/gypsyjudgefjr.

From the National Park, we headed toward Custer’s State Park just in time for a bison reunion. We saw several large herds with lots of babies at various (safe) distances from the highway. The babies are a light brown color. A mile down the road traffic was stopped by a herd crossing and clogging up the road. I was wishing for a safe, metal vehicle to wrap myself in. With legs and bodies fully exposed, we stopped and waited for the buffalo (mamas, babies, teenagers…) to file amongst the traffic as they dawdled to the other side. We closed the gap between our bikes and the car in front of us so the bison wouldn’t elbow their way between us. There was a ranger herding the buffalo off the road using his pickup; I asked if we should wait or go on. He said, “You’ll probably be OK. But don’t poke around.” Probably be OK. We eased forward, stopping for various brown heads and butts. But the pictures turned out. http://picasaweb.google.com/gypsyjudgefjr

After the buffalo parade, we had to wade through a herd of wild burrows. Again, good pictures but I was less than enthusiastic with nothing between me and them.

And though I’d argue it yesterday, today’s roads were even better. There were several cork screw turns with decreasing radius turns so tight you’d be reading your own license plate. 270 degree turns, sliced by tunnels, with the road bucking up or dropping out from under you. When they post a curve here at 15 MPH, it’s best to believe them. To top of the ride, we had a late lunch of BBQ pulled buffalo.

The “purpose” of this ride was to see Mt. Rushmore. The ride was more fun.

And then we found a campground in Custer, SD – clean showers with plenty of hot water, plus wifi, electricity and water at each site. Did my first laundry, so now the clothes I stuff in my helmet bag as a pillow are clean again. Life is good.