Badlands & Black Hills
We've just returned from a quick, (too quick really) visit to South Dakota, where we found the Black Hills area to be almost at its best.
The Badlands were spectacular & apart from the harrowing wind, were also seen at an advantageous time of year, when the days were long enough to provide late sunsets, & yet summer traffic had not yet built up. We were able to stop at virtually any vantage point without having to worry about parking space, and the same applied further west in the mountains. Here though we also were delighted to find the aspens in delicate fresh leaf, & the grasslands awash in yellow & blue wildflowers.
Custer State Park was the high spot, both literally & psychologically, & we were able to see great varieties of animals in their natural environment, including bison, antelope, pheasants, gophers & the occasional fleeting glimpse of a coyote.
Although we didn't have time to enter Mt Rushmore proper, we were treated to excellent views of the sculptures framed by granite tunnels, along our drives in the park. Overall, this is a wonderful spot to visit, & an excellent location for camping, especially for those with an interest in hiking or fishing.
The Badlands were spectacular & apart from the harrowing wind, were also seen at an advantageous time of year, when the days were long enough to provide late sunsets, & yet summer traffic had not yet built up. We were able to stop at virtually any vantage point without having to worry about parking space, and the same applied further west in the mountains. Here though we also were delighted to find the aspens in delicate fresh leaf, & the grasslands awash in yellow & blue wildflowers.
Custer State Park was the high spot, both literally & psychologically, & we were able to see great varieties of animals in their natural environment, including bison, antelope, pheasants, gophers & the occasional fleeting glimpse of a coyote.
Although we didn't have time to enter Mt Rushmore proper, we were treated to excellent views of the sculptures framed by granite tunnels, along our drives in the park. Overall, this is a wonderful spot to visit, & an excellent location for camping, especially for those with an interest in hiking or fishing.
Comments