Day 7 - Custer State Park

On Day 7 we headed to Custer State Park.  On our way out of the RV park on the 4th of July, we ran into Custer himself.  Of course we had to get a photo.

Custer State Park is made up of 71,000 acres.  A herd of 1,300 bison roams freely throughout the park, often stopping traffic along the 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road (We were lucky enough to get to see the herd). The herd is one of the largest publically-owned herds in the world.

Our first stop in the park was at the Visitor's Center.  They had a nice display of the animals that are in the park.

They were just starting a program for the kids so they decided to stay.  They got to pick out a footprint of animal and make one out of plaster.

 Katie chose a beaver.

 Jack chose a badger (they're actually mean little buggers)

And of course Grace chose a jack rabbit.

Next we were off on a hike.  The Lover's Leap Hike.  It's listed as 3 miles and moderate to strenuous.  I'm never going to make it. 

Ready to Hike

Pooped already.  It was a lot of uphill. 

Sam and Grace (and John) made it to the top.  Katie, Jack and I stopped. 

Here's those herd of Buffalo.  Impressive.   There were lots of babies too.

 We saw wild Burros and Prong Horn Deer too.

 Looking at the buffalo

 He's a lone buffalo sitting all alone on the hill.  John decides to try and get closer.  I'm not fond of the idea but I lose out. 

As John gets closer, the buffalo stands and starts to move.  I yell, "John, he's moving".  John moves his but back to the RV.  They warn about people like John who try to get close to wild animals and get gored, or worse.  Why do men always think they can outrun/outwit wild animals?

 

Anyway, we move on to look for more animals.  Once we left the park, everyone was hungry so we headed to Hill City, SD for dinner.  Another cute little western town.

 

 

We decided to eat at the Bumpin Buffalo. It was nice to sit and eat in a restaurant. The RV is great and all, but it can be tiring.

 

Jack loves his soda.

Then it was back to Custer where we saw a pie place we wanted to hit for dessert.  It was so bright and colorful and everyone recommended it.  "The Purple Pie Place".  The entire restaurant was purple and pink.  So cute.  Plus, who doesn't love pie????  Well not all of my kids.  Jack, Sam and Katie all had ice cream.

 I had blackberry and it was definately homemade.  Crust and all.  Yum!

Jack's plain vanilla ice cream.

Grace had peanut butter pie.