Custer and Needles

Wednesday, August 20th

After taking in Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse, we continued on with the splendor of the Black Hills by driving through Custer State Park along the Wildlife Loop in search of, you got it, wildlife.  Of course, one might say that I need not look for wildlife given that I had an animal already within sight, namely, The BF.

The drive was nothing short of spectacular, prompting The Boyfriend to exclaim, "We must return and ride through the park on our road bikes."  We were exposed to grasslands, to greenery, to forests of pines, to rolling hills, or as the website says:  Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the park is home to a variety of wildlife and magnificent scenery spanning 71,000 acres.

We did in fact see a few buffalo and as the photo above shows, I was able to get out of the car and snap a pic of some wildlife.  The park was breathtaking and I simply couldn't capture it on film. 

As Miss P will attest and as The BF knows so well, I like to research (being a librarian it comes naturally) all that one might do when going somewhere not been before.  So, I knew that we simply must experience Needles Highway.  Here is a lovely video from Carol to give you an idea of our drive.


Deemed “impossible” to construct by its critics, the Needles highway—a National Scenic Byway—was completed in 1922 and includes 14 miles of sharp turns, low tunnels, and impressive granite spires. The road lies within the 73,000 acre Custer State Park, just 30 miles south of Rapid City.  Credit to Rapid City webpage.

One tunnel we went through.  Fabulous.

And another tunnel.  Glad The BF was driving....

But we're not done yet with our day, more to come....