Six Weeks/14 Parks
2008
We don’t care what gas costs!
WInd Cave NP
The Needles Highway
Cathedral Spires
Mt. Coolidge Overlook
Crazy Horse Monument
CUSTER STATE PARK, SD
8/7/08
Wind Cave NP was only ten miles south of our campsite. We got up early and headed down there. Because it was so early in the day, we were treated to a herd of prong-horned antelope along the roadside.
WInd Cave has several different guided tours. I wouldn’t want to take an unguided one! We signed up for the Fairgrounds tour, which does not go in by the natural entrance. Instead, the group goes down in an elevator to a middle level and examines several examples of a geologic formation called boxwork. Wind Cave is unusual in that it was not formed by running water, but rather by changes in the level of the water table. The whole thing was really cool. And dark.
We found the old natural entrance where the wind moves in or out of the cave depending on the outside barometric pressure. Merry could have fit people were still allowed to go in that way!
Cathedral Spires is a series of rock formations which can be seen along the Needles Hwy. (SD Rt 87). Although the ride could be quite scenic, the number of motorcycles on the road made driving somewhat nerve-wracking, especially those single lane tunnels through the mountain.
On the way back to camp, we drove up to the Mt. Coolidge fire tower and overlook. We could see the Cathedral Spires from up there, as well as all the way into the Badlands!
That evening, we got another one of those unexpected treats when we visited the Crazy Horse Monument. we had stopped by on Wednesday afternoon, but it was so crowded with motorcycles we decided not to stay. We had heard that a laser light show was presented every evening after dark, so we gave it a try going over around 7:00 PM. Good plan! It was far less crowded, the light on the mountain was perfect and we got to see a demonstration of traditional Lakota song and dance given by two brothers (whose names unfortunately we don’t remember). They were excellent. A great time and a wonderful cause. I heartily recommend a visit here to everyone.
