Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Lusk to Custer South Dakota

We had a busy day on Tuesday. First we moved from Lusk to a c.g. here just outside Custer SD (N 43.75043, W 103.64636,  elev 5572ft). It was only a 2 1/2 hr drive, so we were all set up by noon.

Then we went to see the Crazy Horse memorial that's been under construction for years (and will be for a lot more years). There's quite a building complex there now, lots of Indian artifacts and history displayed. It would take days to see and absorb it all.

This is what the statue looks like now, from about 3 miles away. It's just huge, way bigger than the Mt Rushmore presidential heads:


Here's a scale model of what it is supposed to look like someday:


Progress is slow. There's no govt money in the project at all. The original sculptor died in 1982, and 6 of his 10 children carry on the project today, funded by donations and private-money grants.

We did want to see some animals, so drove the Wildlife Loop road in Custer State Park. After a slow start, did we see buffalo! (bison to the purists). 



We saw 2 large herds of bison, likely over 300 each. The park managers are gathering them now for the official annual roundup event next week. They expect to collect some 1500 animals, and since the range can only over-winter about 750, the rest will be sold at a large auction.

 


 


We did see other animals too:





These were Pronghorn antelope (above), we also saw a few elk and mountain sheep, and lots of mule deer, all over the place especially near town.

Today we just toured the area a bit, and drove the Wildlife Loop again. We have to bison-watch while we can!




Tomorrow we'll be heading for home, may be coming through Waterloo this weekend if all goes well.

Route from Lusk:


Crazy Horse, Wildlife Loop Rd:




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