Wind Cave National Park

Very purple, but the pie was good!

Friday, was spent mostly getting caught up on laundry and domestic goddess chores. We did take a few hours to visit the town of Custer, hike to the top of a overlook, and scope out the local eateries. We hit the Begging Burro for Mexican food and made note of the Purple Pie Place for a return visit. (The raspberry-rhubarb-jalapeno pie was excellent!)

On Saturday, 8/20, we visited Wind Cave National Park and took a look underneath the prairie, then did a 4.5-mile hike across the top (And yes, we still had to dodge some bison!) On the way into the park we spotted a coyote, he was young and inquisitive, so he was checking us out too.

The tour of the caves was fun. Wind Cave has about 90% of the known boxwork formations in the world. The cave is huge, so far about 147 miles have been mapped and they are still finding new areas. We went on an 1 ½ hour tour and saw several different kinds of formations that were just beautiful – I especially liked the “frostwork”. Unfortunately, my pictures don’t do them justice so you’ll have to take my word for it or come visit yourself! :)

He was curious about the paparazzi.

Aptly named Frostwork formation in Wind Cave.

 

Large formation of Boxwork. Think of it as the mortar that's left after the bricks dissolve.

Close-up of the Boxwork.

The hike, Lookout Point Loop Trail, was a nice ramble along a creek, across some prairie and then with the car literally in sight – we were stalled by another bison. We had to cross a small bridge across a creek and he was standing about 30 feet from the bridge. I am convinced that the problem is Rog’s wardrobe. For the last two Bison encounters, he had on his favorite red shirt and you Star Trek fans know what that means for the away team. Who knew the Dakota bison were Trekkies?! Lol. We debated just getting wet, but since he was facing the other way we decided to “sneak” across the bridge as quickly and quietly as possible. It worked and the “away team” all made it safely back to the trailhead. Lol.  

We followed the creek.

Cool and inviting on a hot day.

And crossed the prairie.

Make a wish...

The prairie is full of life ...

... if you look closely enough.

And of course, there is always a bison! :)