We had decided to go out to dinner in Rapid City which is about a half hour from us. The weather was nice partly cloudy but nice. After doing some running around and grabbing some dinner we decide that it is time to head back.
I get a weather alert on my phone it states thunderstorm watch I’m ok with that. It is funny how quickly a watch can turn it to a warning right before your eyes. My thought was maybe a chance for lightning photos. Oh wait. You should actually be where it is not raining to take the pictures.
We did however get some from the dash cam, along with hail and slush.
the watch
lightning in the distance
the warning
Keystone
The drive that we take home is kinda curvy this is also where we were stopped by the cows. My only thought was not tonight please NO COWS. Check out the weather and the turns.
They sure were and we were the end float in the parade. It was funny we try and do the wildlife loop in Custer State Park at least a couple times a week. I like being one directional when we do the loop in the same direction every time. Once in a while Roy will change directions. I am so glad he does, I also think he has a direct line to the head buffalo. This day we happened to be first in line behind the herd. Most of the action was in front of the car and was captured on the dash cam. (best $100 buy ever).
Don’t Argue
The first complete stop occurred when this little calf decided to come hang out in front of the car. Roy started to inch up to get it on its way. Mom was having nothing of the sorts as it was nursing time. I look over and this cow is snorting and huffing to get to her calf.
I do think the calf on the left was wondering if he could partake in a lunch break also.
drink up
It is amazing how a group that large moves with a single purpose and nothing else matters. I did try to get a few pictures of the action happening on the side of the road but it was more like where’s Waldo.
My efforts then turn to watching the road where we were treated to some more bonding of cow and calf. This video is titled ‘Enter stage right’
grand entrance
This little one was just brutal he was not giving up for anything.
mine
It was funny watching the head butts and the determination.
Heading down the road a little further we start getting crowded by the big guys. I am posting the video I took and then the dash cam and you can see why I was quite jerky. The buffalo was a tad close. I was thinking that might leave a mark.
close enough
With the action being active on the road I decided to add to my mirror pictures from a mirrorless camera, here are two of those.
After about a half hour we decided to move on down the road. As it seems the timing was perfect. We passed a mower that clips the weeds on the shoulder of the road going towards the buffalo.
I love this time of year because I can explore my dark side. At least for a couple days of each month I turn into a night person and become allergic to the sun. Milky Way season. This year we tried a completely different place in Custer State Park to capture the Milky Way. So earlier in the day we checked it out and I was lucky to capture this red winged blackbird. I never did get a clear shot of him in flight. (I think he knew I had a camera and wanted his picture.)
There were also geese in the lake they even made an appearance in the middle of milky way shooting. Roy turned the car lights on to leave and they froze like deer in the headlights. Shooting at night at least for me adds an unreal fear of being eaten by big foot or at least being nudged by a deer. The funny thing is I do become super aware of every noise, water drop, or breeze.
The first night as always was like a little refresher. The night was perfectly clear so clear in fact I was able to get milky way reflections. We started at the lake and I got some reflections and free light painting compliments of a campfire and some car lights. I also was using a higher ISO and shorter shutter speed.
You can see in some of the pictures a mist lifting off the lake. This sight was super freaky in my opinion and the picture below doesn’t do it justice. This is me trying to get some light from the car to paint the lake, not the effect I wanted, still a cool photo IMO.
We decided to leave the lake and head over to Legion Lake which is where we shot last time. We did however move parking lots to get a different perspective. It is interesting how just a slight change of position can change the whole focus of a photo. Here are some pictures from the second stop of the night.
On the way out to hunt the lights we had a fox cross the road in front of us.
tiny guy
Then we were greeted by deer on our return home. Off on the side of the road we did see some elk.
deer me
The second night started off not looking good at all. We went to the lake first and the milky way was socked in. So as always I’m like that sucks let’s head home. Roy in his wisdom that I am starting to listen to more. (only took 30 years). First wanted to head around wildlife loop in the dark, I said no. This is right after we left the lake and had already spotted two deer in a matter of thirty seconds.
get outta the road
So then he says let’s stop at Legion Lake. We did and something wonderful happened the sky started to clear. That red in the picture is someone me who forgot to turn off her headlamp. So, once we saw that it was clearing, we headed back to where we started the night before.
After learning from the night before I changed where my camera was set up and did a few more portrait style inside of landscape.
Tonight, seemed extra quiet and every little noise had me thinking I was going to be eaten. I am so glad I didn’t make Roy take me home.
No, I was not quiet for that long. What happened was we saw prairie dogs, burros, bison and big horn ship in that amount of time. I captured it all on dash-cam with a few photos to boot. It was one of those beautiful afternoons we went for a drive around wildlife loop, and I of course forgot the apples for the burros. This is only an 18-mile drive but each time we take it you see something different.
On wildlife loop we first came upon prairie dogs with 3 bison mixed in. The bison were some of the good old boys who just as happy to lay around alone. This area of the loop is covered with 100s of prairie dog burrows. This is where I entertained myself for hours last time we were here, I plan on doing that again. These guys are so dang cute. Check it out!
he just watching the dogs play
While we were hanging watching the prairie dogs I took another shot out the side mirror. She was taking pictures of the dogs, and I caught her looking at them on her cell phone
We had not seen any burros the whole trip, so I lost hope. The herd has had some difficulty in recent years, low birth rates and a malfunctioning jack. Hopefully that will change this year they added another jack and two jennies to the herd. This is what a ranger told me. Here is what Wikipedia says about Custer State Park
found them
The animal that everyone wants to see on the loop is of course the buffalo. That was clearly the case with this little girl. I never saw her face, but you could just tell from the way she stretched out the back window of her car.
Side note it is so cool to see people standing up and out of their sunroofs to catch sight of the animals. I will not do this because I can picture me getting stuck, and Roy laughing his butt off. Back to the story
they are big I tell you.
The herd of buffalo were everywhere even taking over the road. I think one of them was willing to play chicken with Roy or at least that is what it looks like here. Or he was pulling a Clint Eastwood on us saying ‘Go ahead make my day”.
After we got passed the traffic jam Roy did a u-turn which was cool. I can never get enough buffalo. If he hadn’t I would have missed this picture. I also would have missed the big horn sheep we saw.
As for the big horn sheep we also had not seen any yet. There is a spot in the road where they lick the salt from the winter that is left down the middle of the road. Sometimes like today they get stubborn and nothing you do will get them to move. I was however surprised at the amount and small size of the babies in the group. Here are two videos just to show you what we saw. In the first video there was some head butting going on. The second video does show they will move for motorcycles.
The treat was to see so many animals in such a short amount of time. I leave you with this photo of two babies and their mom. The looks are priceless.
Here is another example of a shot you have planned out in your head that isn’t quite the reality of it. This is what happened the day we went to Keystone SD to photograph the train coming into the depot from Hill City. This train is run by Black Hills Central Railroad (interesting read) The 1880 train ride is 2 hours, and is a 20 mile round trip. There is also a 15 minute layover in Keystone. So, I had the plan to set up the tripod and get into position to snap away when it arrived. Roy, who always has a better eye for composition looked at my idea and said there has to be a better place. I am so glad I listened to him. We found a road that runs along side the railroad tracks and there was pullout right along a curve in the tracks, perfect.
So, I started to get my chair out and set up my camera by taking some pictures of just the curve and tracks to get exposure and composition. Right about then this car pulls up and I thought he might block my view. I think if he had done this I would have said something. He did just want to get a picture of his friend that was on the train. I am getting pretty good at waiting because that was the next step.
It wasn’t a long wait though as I heard the whisle and saw it coming round the bend. I did learn from looking at the photos I needed to switch from portrait to landscape when the train was getting closer. As I said we are here for 3 months, will be visiting this stop again. I was also proud of myself for not driving away when the train whistle blew. I think I was concentrating on just getting the shot.
I went back to the car for a rest before it was time to set up for the return shots. So I get my composition and exposure correct and wait again.
return trip
Once the train emerged and went over the bridge I started snapping away. That was until he blew his whistle over and over. I stopped shooting because I got scared. It was cute me trying to drive my chair as fast as I could away from the train. I did get a few good photos of the steam coming out of the train. After Roy saw the train he agreed to take a ride on it. So some of the next train pictures will be looking out of the train.
After my heart stopped racing we went back to Keystone for some shopping which resulted in a hot fudge sundae for Roy and mint chocolate ice cream for me. I think I’m getting to picky or I already have too many clothes. The funny thing about shopping in Keystone was the boardwalk and the fact that the one store I wanted to go in had a step I couldn’t get over. It saved us some money though. I also picked up a helicopter tour rate sheet I might be able to handle a 6 minute flight. We are here for 3 months. I do know if I did Roy would have to come with.
Our first stop for the day was at Dahl’s chainsaw art, so I could take pictures of big foot while the light was right. Then we went to the train pictures. The Dahl’s have two stores one in Keystone and the other in Hill City. Now the one in Hill City boasts the tallest smoky the bear. Keystone has the biggest big foot. I had to take a few pictures of this for my brother Dale. He is always searching for Big Foot. Well I found him. I was amazed at all the things that can be carved from a piece of wood. One of the carvers where kind enough to allow me to film him working.
hard at work
Keystone is more then just a train depot and shops. The town also is host to Big Thunder Gold Mine . It is also home to the Carrie Ingalls Collection the youngest Ingalls sister. I will check that out soon. Keystone is also where you can see every President of the US in one place, they are of course in wax at The National Presidental Wax Museum.
All in all Keystone is a great place to visit on the way to Mount Rushmore. I did forget to mention the best part of Keystone is that is where our favorite restraurant is the Powder House. We stopped there for lunch and had a small world experience. The waitress we had was the same waitress we had in 2021. It was funny when we got seated she looked at our table and said I know them from somewhere. Roy told her as we were leaving that ‘I’ll be back’ in the Terminator accent and she looked dumbfounded. Come to find out she wasn’t even born when Terminator was in the movie theater. Boy, do I feel old.
The last time through the Needles Eye Tunnel in 2021we encountered a Mountain Goat inside the tunnel. This trip through we encountered two rock climbers descending the actual Needle Eye.
Unfortunately, I did not get the descents recorded due to operator error. I have since learned how to record with my camera. I tried to get them to do it again and they said nope. Oh well hopefully I might catch it again this season. The Needles are eroded granite pillars and rock climbers delight in being able to climb them.
The highway itself is 14 miles of twist and turns with beautiful scenery. I enjoy the trip up this road because depending on the clouds you can see something different at every turn.
The thing I noticed this trip is how resilient the trees are because they take root in just a small crack in the rocks. They are sturdy and strong. I am always impressed with how things adapt in nature.
Upon our arrival back at camp I was able to meet a lady and her parrot, great way to top off the afternoon.
I also tried to catch a few bird photos of my own. I am still trying to get used to the camera and that afternoon I think I captured the perfect motioned blur bird shot I’ve ever seen.
No, I did not find a place to go surfing in South Dakota. I did however find the Sanford Underground Research Facility better known as Surf. We had finished the Renaissance Festival and I told Roy why don’t we stop in Surf we are right here. The museum features the current work being done below ground many many feet below ground to be exact. Here’s a link to the Experiments and stuff. Roy did try to get an underground tour of the lab. You guessed it they said NO!
The most interesting research they are doing is involving Neutrinos Here is a link from energy.gov also explaining them. Before this place was home to SURF Sanford Underground Research Facility. It was the Homestake mine. The mine pit is a mile across and 8000 feet deep. This isn’t my picture but you can see how large the open pit is. The visitor center for SURF sits right on the edge of the pit. They also have one of the elevator cars that would take works down into the tunnels of the mine shaft.
I did have to buy one shirt and this is actually my first t-shirt of the journey. The back says “don’t trust an atom… They make up everything.
Taking some time to catch up with photos and blogs. Plus, dodging rain drops.
The mermaid wasn’t little, and Nemo was not in the ocean. The mermaid was at the Black Hills Renaissance Festival in Lead SD on June 11th.
Something to do after two full days of rain. When Roy and I got to Lead we almost turn around because there was no place to park. We were lucky enough to grab a handicapped spot close to where the Festival was happening. The park had venders and all sorts of people in various costumes.
I have to say the amount of work that went into the outfits and personas were amazing. I am not sure weather the elf or the bird woman is my favorite. They are both unique.
Roy missed having a turkey leg for lunch but that was all good. We saw some hand-to-hand combat between knights. It being held in a park I was able to take a few photos of kids actually playing. The park grass where the vendors were was a little soggy, so the chair and scooter had to work not to sink.
Catch the fighting in this slide show
Heading out we stopped at SURF Sanford Underground Research Facility which deserves it’s own post. So, keep your eyes peeled. Back on the road we went in search of Nemo SD. This is a town that if you blink once you will miss it. On the way to Nemo we came across the Boxelder Job corps. Interesting concept and great opportunity for people to better themselves.
It was a nice afternoon for stepping back in time literally and physically. Onto more adventures.
Hail drops. It is one step removed from snow. I am taking bets that as the snow magnet we will have snow before we leave here. Today was a needed break as we went through Spearfish Canyon scenic byway on Thursday.
This meant getting up early and heading about an hour and a half north of here. We started at the end of the drive Cheyenne Crossing and ended in Spearfish where the trail begins. This was the plan because the most strenuous and IMO the most beautiful falls is Roughlock Falls. There is a two-mile round-trip path to the bottom of the falls, and back again the path is paved and fairly level until you encounter three very steep inclines at least for a wheelchair. I will have to admitted why they give you the warning not to go down steep inclines because you have to get back up. After I made it down the second incline and saw the third incline I turned around and headed back up. Smart decision. ( I almost tipped over) So here is two of the pictures I snapped at these from the last viewpoint I could safely navigate.
looking down the fallsthe stream where it startsthe start of the fallslooking up the falls
Before we did the adventure at Roughlock Falls we pulled into a turnout that I don’t know the name of, or if it had a name. The water was amazingly still so I had to take my anytime there is a reflection picture. I also experimented with some Depth of Field zooming in on flowers with the river behind them. I pulled out my chair for this which helped my traverse the whole pullout. I found this yellow and black butterfly flying around my chair landing and taking off
Bridal Veil Falls
After Roughlock falls we drove to Bridal Veil Falls the pull off for this was on the other side of the road from the falls so, back in the chair and off I roll to take some photos and a short video.
Like I said earlier I’m glad this was at the end of the canyon byway.
On the way home we stopped by Sturgis which sure looks and sounds quiet. The Biker Rally isn’t until August, so Sturgis feels like a small town that it is. We did a quick run through Wildlife loop (buffalo were on the wrong side of road for photos). before heading to dinner and a show the play was at the Black Hills Playhouse which is in Custer State Park. The dress rehearsal performance is give a donation, and you can see the play.
Pulling in after dark we were treated to deer grazing in the campground, there was about 12-15 on both sides of the driveway.
We’ve been in one spot for over a week now, this feels good. I’m looking forward to some fun this summer.
On the Road with Buki-6 