Devil's Tower, Revisited.

Devil's Tower NM, WY 9.25.10

Today with our visiting family we tackled Devil's Tower. It's about 80 miles NE from Deadwood, just on the eastern side of the Wyoming Black Hills. The weather was amazing; 75°, blue skies and little wind. We made it there around 11:30 this morning. It's Public Lands Day and so there was no entrance fee. Ten dollars saved and everything keeps getting better!

First things first, we went into the Visitors Center and stamped out National Parks passports. We are slightly obsessed with collecting these cancellations. They're usually very pretty stamps and I like that the date you visited is usually included.

The Family! Devil's Tower NM, 9.25.10

Roughlock Falls, 9.25.10

Then the majority of the group took off on the loop that circles the base of the tower. It's just over a mile long, tarred and incredibly peaceful. The rocks that have fallen from the tower are called talus and the path follows just along the edge of the pile. On the other side is open forest with little underbrush and a few fallen trees. We walked taking a few photos along the way. We saw about 10 climbers. More than on any of our previous visits.  Over the course of the trail we spread out quite a bit. The youngest was the first all the way around and Josh and I nearly brought up the rear. It was just what I needed. Then we hit up the free cookies and water and headed back.

As a detour we went through Spearfish Canyon. The leaves here are in their peak colors and it was spectacular. Greens, yellows and oranges popped along the canyon. There was a lot of traffic but that didn't seem to take from the scenery. 26 miles of changing leaves, exposed peaks, occasional caves and a perfect stream to follow.

We stopped into Roughlock Falls where our wedding ceremony was going to take place. It was busting with people. So many people. The water was clear and the air was warm. It's a very beautiful place.We enjoyed every waterfall, each little bridge and overlook. There wasn't one overlook that wasn't already occupied but we managed alright. Some beautiful photos were taken. Everyone seemed to enjoy it despite the amount of people. So many Leaf Peepers.

Roughlock Falls, 9.25.10

We eventually made it home. The fresh mountain air is exhausting. It was great day and we are so happy that our family was here to enjoy it with us. And to see why we've been hanging out in South Dakota for so long!

Badlands NP, SD

Today was the beginning of a week long adventure! Josh's family flew up from Oklahoma and Texas for a few days exploring. When we postponed our wedding some of our families plans couldn't be changed so instead of the wasting plane tickets and a cabin they've up for a visit and mini-vacation. Since we don't live close to either of our families it's great to have this chance to get to know them better. Our visitors include;  his parents, both grandmothers, two aunts, one uncle and a cousin. To top it off- two friends from Oklahoma are also visiting. And I don't think that we'll be bored for one second this week.

Sage Creek Road, Badlands NP 9.23.10

We woke up this morning to rain. The sky was dreary and overcast and didn't look like it was likely to get better. As the day went on it began to slowly dry. The clouds didn't seem to clear but instead to divide and provide us with sunshine and blue skies. After picking up Josh's Uncle's family from the airport in Rapid City we headed east to Badlands National Park.

The Badlands at any point of the day are beautiful but today we saw them at sunset. We went into the park by dirt road from the south. It was 25 miles through grazing land. Buffalo and cattle dotted the fields. We drove up on a coyote. He was hunting a prairie dog town and didn't seem to be having much luck.

at Fossil Walk, Badlands NP 9.23.10

Just over an hour from Rapid we were seeing the formations. The badland formations have colorful stratigraphy that glows in the light. After a rain the reds, yellows and grays pop and having you wondering if you're even on earth. Tonight, the light gray soils reflected the colors of the sunset. Beautiful oranges and golds. Shadows moved every minute.  There were so many places where we got out of the car and took it all in. Everyone who had a camera was taking photos. It was awesome and more than a little windy.

After a few hours cruising we got to the end of the Badlands Loop Road just as the sun was setting. It was perfect timing. As we drove home it was complete darkness. It made all the colors that we had just seen even more spectacular. Maybe soon we can make it there for sunrise....

Southern Black Hills Tour

Mt. Rushmore National Memorial 9.16.10

This morning we hopped in the car and headed south on 385. It was a relaxing ride with our windows down with a warm breeze blowing around us.

We were on course for Custer State Park when we realized that we had taken a turn for Mt. Rushmore. The road winds, climbs and drops its way through the southern hills until you come up to Mount Rushmore. It was a perfect day for the faces. They glowed against the blue sky. From every perspective they are spectacular. Carved so precisely into the hills.

A burrow foal, Custer State Park 9.16.10

Custer is usually a hotspot for antelopes, bighorn sheep, elk, buffalos and burros but today we had little luck. The antelope were out in force. We saw several groupings of bulls, cows and calfs. The racks on the bulls are beautiful. Black and rigid. This past spring we saw two young bulls play fighting with their racks. It was awesome. There were a few calfs- each one cuter than the last.
      
Not one buffalo was seen. This was the first time that this has ever happened. We did the whole Wildlife Loop Road and a few offshoots but still didn't see anything. Both Josh and myself were incredibly disappointed but are still hopeful that we can make it there for the Annual Buffalo Round-up on the 27th of September (also Josh's Birthday)!

Heddy Draw Lookout Point, Custer State Park 9.16.10

Though there was a distinct shortage of buffalo we encountered plenty of burros. Fairly aggressive burros at that. There were three burro "encampments" that we had to travel through and in each one both of us had to guard ourselves. They stuck their heads in the windows and poked around for food. Sniffing everything with great intent and lipping most of the surfaces. We were able to scratch there faces and love on them a bit but they were nothing short of demanding.

I was hoping to see a mountain goat or elk but even though it didn't happen it felt incredible just to be on another adventure with Josh.

Devil's Bathtub, Spearfish Canyon

It's been awhile since we've had a chance to really get out and explore. We've been here and there but no where that really stuck out. We had plans to get back out to Jenney Gulch but when the time came to head out it was voted down for a more private area. We headed to Devil's Bathtub.

Now, when we first moved here the locals were always encouraging us to get out and see it. We drove south Cheyenne Crossing and came into Spearfish Canyon that way. About 18 miles or so in there's a road named Cleopatra. Who can forget that? We parked here and started down the trail.

It was pretty easy going for awhile. The trail winds back and forth across the stream several times. It was awesome to get my feet wet. At times it was easier just to walk up the creek instead of fighting through the trail. There was a lot of silliness. I must have lost my flip flops half a dozen times. The trail meandered through a series of small pools. Some I would have been content on sitting at all day but the allure of Devil's Bathtub was ahead.

It took up the better park of an hour to get up to the spot. Some places were a little tricky and required some concentration. We had brought Wu with us and were a little worried but he was all about it. He treated it like an agility course and was a total show-off.

We spent most of our day at the pool just beyond the actual Devil's Bathtub. To get up to it was a little tricky and Wu (this is me blaming it all on the dog) was a little freaked out about it. Josh and Nate cruised up past a water luge and explored beyond it. Some people were gold panning up past where the boys had been and told us that the creek lead to the old Cleopatra Mine. I spent most of the time in a little waterfall getting my back massaged.

I found myself a walking stick to navigate the rocks with. It was a little to tall for me but perfect for Josh. He quickly snatched it up and I was lucky enough to find another stick for myself. We spent a little time playing in the rapids. It was such a great spot, very private and pristine. Even though Nate was there it was still romantic.

After finding ourselves water logged and exhausted we hiked back towards the car. Wu was excited to be on the move again and whoever was in the water had a companion. It didn't take us long at all. The walking sticks had proved incredibly useful. It had been another amazing day in the hills.

We are so lucky. A beautiful hike and warm water to swim in. We can't wait to go back!

Jenny Gulch, Pactola Lake, SD

One of the most beautiful lakes in the area is Pactola. It's man made and stunning. The pine hills fall into the crisp blue waters. It's truely a gem of the Black Hills. Jenny Gulch is a popular swimming spot for the young adventurous types.

We had been hearing about the Gulch for about a year now and had invites before but nothing ever seemed to pan out. So, we finally got our friends together and headed out there. Tyler led the way, he and Amanda are locals and had been hundreds of times. Josh, Nate, Wu and myself followed.

We parked and began the hike up. There was a little stream to cross and of course the dogs ran right through. Wu wasn't sure about it but went ahead and did it. The path winds up a ricky crest and then down a pine needle covered rocky hillside. It's not an easy trail in flip flops.

The actual spot is a outcropping of rocks. There are a few

different heights that one could jump off into the depths. Not once did I touch the bottom of the lake. Once you were off the rocks you were over your head. It was a little scary but amazing. The water was warm and everyone was in a great mood.

Our friends had brought their dogs and they were giving Wu a lesson in fetch. He wanted to play but is still too much puppy. He swam his little heart out though. It was the first time he had actually been in a large body of water. Josh and I could swim out and Wu would swim at us. He would actually try to climb on us which turned out to be dangerous. By the end of the day I looked like I'd been beat up by alley cats.

We swam for hours. It was amazing. Amanda and I swam to the other side and jumped off the rocks there. The dogs played fetch until Wu, at least, was exhausted. He laid on the rocks watching everyone else for hours.

In the afternoon it started to get really crowded and we packed up. It was the perfect day to get in the water and relax.

Custer State Park & Beyond

This past Monday we visited Custer State Park which lays in the Southern Black Hills. It's about 50 minutes South of Deadwood. We started our day out thinking that we were going to finish up some stuff at work and then head home but before I knew it we were on our way to Custer. The road South is a favorite of ours. It's a scenic highway that runs North to South through the hills. Each curve reveals a new meadow and sloping pine covered ridged. Granite boulders shape the skyline. Deer are the decoration, gathering in mass throughout the fields.

We made it as far as Hill City before we realized that Nate, our roommate, had never been to Prairie Berry, our favorite winery in the Hills. Well, that would never do so we swung in and did a tasting. Five tastes are complementary so I did all the wines that had just come out like, Buffaloberry and the older wines that I had been wanting to try like, Calamity Jane. It turns out that they were all delicious. Josh & I selected wines for the wedding and were given a few extra tasting of the ones we were curious about. We walked out with a bottle of Blue Suede Shoes & Calamity Jane.

We were back on the road in no time and heading for the park. The entrance fee for the day was $14 and year long only $28. We bought a year pass. We eventually found our way to Wildlife Loop Road. They aren't kidding. Before long we came across a herd of Buffalo crossing the road. They have become accustomed to traffic and are perfectly happy to make you wait for them. There were a few babies with the herd. One crossed just in front of us.

Josh, Nate and myself were all excited. Before too long we came up on a group of Burros. Several cars were stopped in the road and we waited in line behind them. Burros were grazing throughout the meadow but a few of them were harassing the cars. We had one come up to the window, stick his head in and check things out. Then another and then they tried to eat my camcorder. I did get a few good shots of the inside their mouths.

We started exploring off from the main road and saw our first Elk. Actually, in total, we proabaly say 20-25 Elk. It was the first time any of us had seen them in the wild. Beautiful creatures. Unfortunately we didn't get to see them very close and at first we thought they

were deer with the exception of their size. On one of the offshoots we saw Pronghorn. They seem to travel in pairs. I don't think that we've ever seen them running. Their either grazing or bedded down. We took the offshoot until we realized that we had entered Wind Cave National Park. There really wasn't much of a difference between the two parks but Wind Cave has less trees and a bit more meadow. Wind Cave is the third largest known cave in the world. It's amazing to think that as you look across the prairie there are miles of tunnels that have yet to be discovered.

We meandered back to the Loop and continued our wildlife exploration. It wasn't long before we came across more Buffalo. They are the most amazing creatures. Right now, they are going through a spring shed. It looks like they have a huge sweater across their shoulders but their rear end is nearly hairless. It's not the prettiest time of year for them but their still awesome to see. There's one area towards the end of the road that has a campground and some private camps. This is where we saw, for the first time ever, mountain goats. I didn't think that they would be white! We were all surprised to see them eating their lunch on the campground lawn.

The sun began to get low and we started our adventure North taking Needles highway. It's probably the most scenic highway we've been on out West. There's hairpin turns and tunnels that are carved out of the mountains. The fog was settling and it began to feel eerie. The whitetails were out in hundreds on our ride home. It's funny how they are everywhere this spring but last fall you couldn't find one. The guys were so excited I thought that they were going to jump out the window and wrestle a deer down. We made it all the way home no accidents, no deer meat but thoroughly excited about going back to Custer again.

Hike Towards Mt. Roosevelt

After a week of snow and rain there is finally sun in the Hills again. Josh, our roommate; Nate and myself went for a hike behind our new house. Our place is located at the top of the steepest hill in town and has no neighbors. It feels like the country but we're just a few steps from downtown. Our lawn blends into the prairie grasses and gradually blends to evergreens. Each day so far we have seen deer (whitetail & mule) next to turkey's feeding on our lawn. The cat thinks it great and likes to stalk them. No luck so far.

The first twenty minutes of our adventure were spent walking up hill.

After about five I was seriously wondering where we were heading. We followed an old two-track up a ridge. Wild grasses had taken it over and just a remnant of a road remained. After several rest stops we made it to a landing point. We found ourselves in a little clearing between small mounds with rock outcroppings. The boys hiked up to the top and I realized that was the place to be for great views.

After a few minutes of meandering I noticed I was going a different direction than the guys. This is typical. I tend to wander. Crap. We grouped up and walked up to the top of the ridge. On the way we came across some unusual scat and then the scattered and bleached remains of an Elk. We tried to find the skull but we didn't have any luck. The wind was unbelievably gusty and consistent. I was happy I'd grabbed my beanie.

The three of us finished walking the ridge line and ended up sitting for a bit in a thicket of birches. As we were trying to find a place to rest three deer came upon us and then skidded away. Maybe those were the deer that would be finding their way down to our place for dinner. Their dinner not ours. Not today anyway.

As we headed back down the hill it was much easier going. My legs ached from the hike up but that didn't seem to matter as I chose the easiest way down. It was the perfect afternoon for a long hike.