Day 158, July 2, Custer State Park

 Custer State Park may be the nicest, most scenic state park I’ve ever visited. Today we hiked 6-hours over 8 miles deep into the backcountry of this gem of a park nestled in The Black Hills of South Dakota. Called The Black Hills due to the dark colored bark of the numerous ponderosa pine so as to appear black from a distance, this area is absolutely stunning. Our hike took us to three gorgeous areas, hence three amazing things:

#1- Cathedral Spires…

#2- Little Devil Peak, and

#3- Black Elk Peak with its Harney Fire Lookout. 

It’s difficult to express just how beautiful this country is. The forest is lush and filled with wildlife, and in the higher elevations is replete with colorful wildflowers, quaking aspens, birch, and gentle wee streams. The trails sparkle in the sun from a rock called Mica which resembles shards of thin glass, and the granite mountains are laced with glittering pink rose quartz. There is a nest with newly hatched chicks directly outside of Bambi’s door, so we hear them chirping all day and watch mama feed. 

#4- The evening was spent driving the Wildlife Scenic Loop where we visited a buffalo visitor center, came across the “begging burros,” and became blissfully entangled in a buffalo road crossing. From the safety of our truck, about 50 head came within a couple of feet, close enough to look them in the eye. Was a thrilling experience.

Many years ago, burros carried tourists from Sylvan Lodge to the various lakes. Later when the outfit shut down, they released the burros into the wild where they now hang out along the scenic loop begging tourists for food and have fondly been dubbed The Begging Burros. 

Good deeds: I clandestinely gave away another cute pink flamingo painted rock to an Airstream in the campground, but since we were the only other Airstream, it didn’t take rocket science to figure out who gave the gift. The guy thanked us and said his wife was so pleased that she’s going to get some rocks and do the same thing for others. Kinda cool!          Also, we’ve hiked enough to know that trail etiquette dictates those hiking downhill acquiesce to uphill hikers, but very few people know this unwritten rule. I’ve spent too much time being frustrated with others who don’t give way to me when they should. Today, I changed my paradigm. Instead, we decided to be gracious and generous and acquiesce to everybody, no matter which direction we both are traveling. I must confess it’s a whole lot better to feel generous than frustrated. I think we’ll make this a new habit.