Wildlife loop

Trip Start Jul 17, 2008
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Trip End Aug 17, 2008


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Flag of United States  , South Dakota,
Monday, July 21, 2008

     Every day is a new adventure in the Black Hills! We were really wondering if we'd see any buffalo on this trip and then there was today!! There is a 14 mile road in the park called the Wildlife Loop where the herds of buffalo roam in a protected area. There are over 1600 buffalo roaming within the Custer State Park boundaries.  We were told it was best to go early am or later in the evening for the best chance to see wildlife. We got up early and departed by 7:30. Jenn's hair looked great-Erin went for the ponytail and shower later!!!  We got onto the loop road and within 10 minutes we came around a corner and there was a herd of at least 200 buffalo. How cool!!!!  It took quite a while for them all to cross the road and we got some great shots.  We saw many deer and some more buffalo along our way.  We traveled up to the Mt. Coolidge overlook. Great views-elevation over 6000 ft. The forest around Mt. Coolidge is primarily rejuvenated growth from a major forest fire in 1998. Got a text from Phil while we were on the mountain!  The road brought us into the town of Custer-commercialized, Western style stress free town Buffalo
Buffalo
 . We had an awesome breakfast at the Baker's café.  The next adventure was taking the scenic route on the Needles Highway which is north of Custer. This route brought us through narrow tunnels, rock faces and pine forests.  We passed through a really neat area where we watched some rock climbers scaling some incredibly high walls.  Well the girls couldn't take it anymore. They needed to go to a mall! The closest mall is in Rapid City-40 miles from the campground but the route did get us out of 3rd gear for the first time today!!  Keep sending us news from home. Julie told us about the big storm you had in Ottawa-must have been the same system we drove through in London. We got tired of Mandy's voice on the GPS so we have switched to Richard!! He's ok but pretty serious. Have a good night!
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