Mount Rushmore / Custer State Park 8/17/2009
In the last post I did not have a picture of where the Star Valley Ranch campground sits. The above picture shows the campground just at the base of the foothills. The field I am standing in is the field we were able to play ball with Nicky in.
This was the most unusual barn. Mixture of rocks and logs. It was really neat.
Nicky catching another good one. The morning we left at sunrise there was a balloon lift with 13 balloons. It was so cold that morning but the air was just right for take-off.
There were many beautiful vistas between Thayne, WY and Rapid City, SD. We stayed one night in a Walmart along the way. Too many miles for a one day trip.
As you can see, once we were out of the mountains the terrain became very flat. 
We arrived at Hart Valley Ranch (RPI) about 2:30 PM. Another very lovely park. They have a dog park that is incredible. All sites are on a concrete pad and the grass is gorgeous. There are 4 pickle ball courts, a heated pool and 5 hot tubs. Those of you who are RPI members should look into a week here sometime.
We took the first day to get settled in and then the next day we took off for Mount Rushmore.
Garrett, I have an assignment for you. Look up and tell Nana who the 4 presidents are in the picture above.
All of a sudden there were these rocks growing up out of the ground everywhere. The narrow tunnel of rock that we drove through is called the Needle. Can't guess why can you????
Enlarge the picture above by clicking on it twice. On the first rock you see a white spot. If you look closely you will find that it is a tarp set up to be a tent. Also there is a rope or line of some kind from the first rock to the second rock and some one is moving across that line. Now, look closely on the third rock and you will see someone standing on it. My question is WHY????
We saw these piles through out the forest in Custer State Park. These piles are a result of many hours of hand work. These piles, called slash or brush piles, are created as part of forest thinning in an effort to clean-up the forest floor. Removing excess tree branches and stems takes away potential fuel for wildfires. Thinning also helps remove dead plant life, which enhances the health and vigor of the forest. The piles are usually burned within a year, during the following winter, when the wood has dried out and snow can help contain the fire. Then the process begins again. I thought this was very interesting.
There were Buffalo, prong horned antelopes, wild burros, and prairie dogs every where in Custer State Park. 
Many Tatanka. Who knows what movie calls the Buffalo tatanka?
These prairie dogs continue to drive Nicky nuts with their continual chirping and popping up and down from their holes.
This guy was beautiful and there is Mr. prairie dog chirping away.
This is a herd of the wild burros I mentioned.
In the last post I did not have a picture of where the Star Valley Ranch campground sits. The above picture shows the campground just at the base of the foothills. The field I am standing in is the field we were able to play ball with Nicky in.
This was the most unusual barn. Mixture of rocks and logs. It was really neat.
Nicky catching another good one. The morning we left at sunrise there was a balloon lift with 13 balloons. It was so cold that morning but the air was just right for take-off.
There were many beautiful vistas between Thayne, WY and Rapid City, SD. We stayed one night in a Walmart along the way. Too many miles for a one day trip.
As you can see, once we were out of the mountains the terrain became very flat. 
We arrived at Hart Valley Ranch (RPI) about 2:30 PM. Another very lovely park. They have a dog park that is incredible. All sites are on a concrete pad and the grass is gorgeous. There are 4 pickle ball courts, a heated pool and 5 hot tubs. Those of you who are RPI members should look into a week here sometime.
We took the first day to get settled in and then the next day we took off for Mount Rushmore.
Garrett, I have an assignment for you. Look up and tell Nana who the 4 presidents are in the picture above.
All of a sudden there were these rocks growing up out of the ground everywhere. The narrow tunnel of rock that we drove through is called the Needle. Can't guess why can you????
Enlarge the picture above by clicking on it twice. On the first rock you see a white spot. If you look closely you will find that it is a tarp set up to be a tent. Also there is a rope or line of some kind from the first rock to the second rock and some one is moving across that line. Now, look closely on the third rock and you will see someone standing on it. My question is WHY????
We saw these piles through out the forest in Custer State Park. These piles are a result of many hours of hand work. These piles, called slash or brush piles, are created as part of forest thinning in an effort to clean-up the forest floor. Removing excess tree branches and stems takes away potential fuel for wildfires. Thinning also helps remove dead plant life, which enhances the health and vigor of the forest. The piles are usually burned within a year, during the following winter, when the wood has dried out and snow can help contain the fire. Then the process begins again. I thought this was very interesting.
There were Buffalo, prong horned antelopes, wild burros, and prairie dogs every where in Custer State Park. 
Many Tatanka. Who knows what movie calls the Buffalo tatanka?
These prairie dogs continue to drive Nicky nuts with their continual chirping and popping up and down from their holes.
This guy was beautiful and there is Mr. prairie dog chirping away.
This is a herd of the wild burros I mentioned.
The area surrounding Custer Park looks pretty much like this most of the time. You can see why the wild life enjoys grazing here.
There were times when the terrain changed to this red clay and rock mixture.
The above picture is of Linda and Jerry. They were are neighbors here and we really enjoyed them. They travel and have a home in Arizona. We all went to a great pizza place for dinner the night before they left. When we got back we played pickle ball under lights. Great fun was had by all. Hope we cross paths again.
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