I have been to nearly all 50 states. I have wanted to go to a few northern states on a long car ride for several years now to visit the states I had never been to. Since I had a conference in Colorado, hubby and I decided to visit his brother (in Illinois), drive on to my conference, and then take a week’s vacation traveling through SD, ND (quick in an out), MT and WY.
Our first stop was Rapid City, South Dakota. We spent several days in the Rapid City area, and do not have enough good things to say about it! It was beautiful, inexpensive and the people were very, very nice.
Of course the main draw is Mt Rushmore.
Now even though I knew that you could not get very close, I still have to say it: What a bust.
Everything is framed for an optimal view, but because of how far away you are it is difficult to get a good perspective on how difficult an endeavor this was. Hubby took that pic above with a zoom lense, but we could have just as easily bought a postcard.
On the way down the hill, you saw George Washington in profile and THAT was when you were impressed. It was closer and you were better able to see just how massive and detailed the carvings are. Too bad I did not have my camera out at that time.
So, seeing how “eh” we were about Mt Rushmore, we decided not to go to Crazy Horse. Instead we went to Custer State Park.
As we were driving to the park (had not yet entered or paid), we were greeted by this fellow coming down from a cliff.
There were two motorcyclists ahead of us that got a tad, er, skittish, and the buffalo gave hubby “a look” as he passed by the car, but I have to say that was probably the highlight of the trip! It was so cool to have a buffalo within arms length!
We drove through Custer State Park for a while, and I swore that that one escapee was the extent of the 1300 buffalo in the park. And as for other wild life? Pffft was what I was thinking, when what should happen, but we rounded a curve and saw 20 cars pulled over for the “mooches”. Even though the signs say “DO NOT FEED THE WILDLIFE” the burros never got the memo and were mooching crackers and vegetables off of the people in the parked cars.
And this guy was serious – he saw hubby chewing so came over to investigate!
Our next wildlife encounter was this buffalo taking a drink of water. We scrambled back to the car when he started stomping the ground.
So why did the buffalo cross the road?
To get to the other side of course!
And he was just the start of the herd of buffalo that was waiting for us:
We did quite a bit of shopping at the Christmas Tree Store, wineries (not grape wine), Sioux Indian store, and several other establishments.
We truly enjoyed our time in Rapid City, and found the state to be very lovely indeed.
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh wow, how nice! I would have loved that!! There is an animal park a few hours from here and if we are taking a road trip anywhere near the area we detour. You get to feed all the animals in the park, I have the coolest pic of a buffalo nose all the way in my truck snotting all over the leather seats to get a bite of food.
Nice pics! Thanks for sharing.
It’s no surprise you were smitten with the Buffalo given where you live!
Ann, just admit it you squeezed that first buffalo out of a penny while hubby was not looking!
My hubby loves buffalo and he would have been thrilled!! I will have to mention this to him next time we look into a vacation. On the other hand…good to know that Mt. Rushmore isn’t all that…
Lovely pictures, thanks for sharing. We’ve been thinking to visit Mt Rushmore for years.
That is too cool to be that close to the Buffalo. My little one is looking over my shoulder and he is saying I want to pet him. LOL.
WOW!!! That’s AMAZING! I would LOVE to travel to South Dakota and travel out west. Thank God for cameras LOL. By the way I love the Buffalo joke.
It’s on my ‘someday list’ – take my daughter to see the national treasures. While you were non-plussed by Mt. Rushmore it’s one of those places that holds so much history it doesn’t matter if the only way to see it is with binoculars I’d probably still go.
Thank you for sharing the gorgeous photos.
When we went thru there, my Grandma tried to pet a buffalo! It was fun! She was a great lady! I’ve made that trip a few times but all when I was a lot younger. I’d love to make this trip as an adult! You are spurring me to plan a road trip! (I have family in Minnesota and I would drive thru the Dakota’s…)
Thanks for sharing these beautiful pictures. I can never get enough of Mt. Rushmore. You are just a few states ahead of me.
Very cool
Beautiful pictures!
How awesome! I LOVE the first picture of the Buffalo! I would have been nervous while in awe
we have several that live down the street and I grew up with buffalo and beefalo in the next pasture…always a shock when you woke up and a Buffalo, Beefalo and Longhorns were standing in your front yard or on your front porch..and your trying to catch the school bus…(country living)
How beautiful Ann!! The Buffalo are amazing, my girls would of so gotten a thrill out of that, heck so would I!! The donkey’s are totally cool… I’ll just feed them because!!
Thank you for letting us live vicariously thru you!!
Ann,
You are always having one adventure or another.
Wonder what you will be up to next!
Wow- I haven’t been there before so it’s a thrill to hear about your trip.
We have been to all the major national parks except Yellowstone so I’m hoping we can make the trip sometime. and also get to see other states in the upper North midwest region like SD.
Sounds like you guys had a lot of fun!
Wait – does the title say “Douth Dakota” instead of “South Dakota”?
Hehe… 
I just noticed that.
I just love looking at the animals. I’ve never seen anything like that in person. I saw a sign on a pasture one time that read “You better be able to make it across the pasture in 8 seconds because the bull can do it in 8.1″.
Great pics Ann, it looks awesome. Thank goodness for zoom lenses.
Wow. These pictures are so funny – I’ve never seen that much wildlife in my life just roaming about cars. Usually they run the other way! Mt Rushmore is definitely a sight I’d like to see firsthand one day..this post just helped me see how awesome and wondrous it is!
That sounded like it was a fun trip!
My sister just went to see Crazy Horse this month. It requires hike, but worth it. She had some very up close pictures. I have to agree, that seeing Mt. Rushmore was a disappointment to me as well.
sounds absolutely wonderful, ann! thank you so much for sharing! i would love to take a road trip out west as well someday. how beautiful!
Fun fun… My grandfather raised donkeys & mules and my uncle used to raise buffalo.. so no new experience for me vicariously.. however I would love to travel with you guys I was born to travel but my honey has absolutely no interest in it… sigh.. Owell I’ve been known to make my own way..
Nice pictures & Im enjoying your descriptions of your adventures.
Ann I wish I would have know you were coming! We could have shown you a good time! I agree that Mt Rushmore is kinda :p However there are some very beautiful spots up in the Hills!