When here, you can go up, down, on top, or in. The Department of the Interior charges many entrance and parking fees, but none here. It's where Alvin McDonald once led spelunkers on tours.
Welcome to Wind Cave National Park. Situated in western South Dakota along US Route 385 between Custer and Hot Springs, Wind Cave has become a place for nature seekers to explore. Unlike most of the National Parks in the system, this is one of the few that is able to be visited without cost to the visitor, although several tours of the caves themselves, along with campground stays, are able to fund the park. Even if spelunking isn't your cup of tea, the prairie is accessible by several walking trails above the ground, along with a few driving roads where wildlife can be seen.
Wind Cave was first discovered by the McDonald family in the late 1800's, when the family moved from Iowa to start their exploration. Alvin McDonald was the main cartographer and guide, and although his life was cut very short by typhoid fever, his contribution has one that is still enjoyed today. The caves themselves seemed endless according to one of Alvin's final journal entries, but there are five designated cave trails today of varying difficulties are available for the public to explore.
While taking a look around the Prairie Vista, one point of interest is a small yet inaccessible cave entrance with an associated story known as Lakota Emergence. The Lakota people believed that they, along with bison, emerged from this point when each species was in its infancy. The spirits were told not to come forth until the Earth was ready, though some prematurely arrived after giving into temptation, and after suffering from the inability to survive the harsh conditions, were further punished by being transformed into bison. The people who obeyed were then instructed to follow the bison to survive, but the entrance was shrank to what it is today to prevent returning to the spirit world.
So the next time your Internal Compass takes you to Western South Dakota, make a stop at Wind Cave National Park.
One of its largest industries was outlawed for several decades. If you're holding aces and eights, watch your back. Allow Freedom Rolling to Lead you down to this twin city.
Welcome to Deadwood, South Dakota. Just off the northern terminus of US Route 385, Deadwood is a place for gamblers, gold seekers, and other enthusiasts of the wild west. Although Deadwood has quite the history of these activities, both before and after South Dakota officially became a state, public gaming of this sort was outlawed shortly after World War II. Although the pastime continued in secret, the town was even further declined as a result of a fire in 1987 that ravaged the city. Looking to save Deadwood from becoming just another ghost town, the "Deadwood You Bet!" campaign successfully lobbied the state to once again legalize gambling. Although many fuel stations will have the colloquially known "Video Lottery" machines in their so-aptly titled "casinos", Deadwood remains the place in the state to find full service gaming.
Deadwood has much more history to it than simple gambling. In the mid-1870's, the city of Deadwood was founded as a result of one of the primary industries in the west: Mining of gold. Once Frank Bryant found the metal, it was just a matter of time before the city was built to what is seen today. There was an additional fire that ravaged the area in the late 1800's, but Deadwood was re-built and is still preserved by today's historical society. Other notable names of Deadwood include James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok, a former deputy who had moved to Deadwood and was shot by a recent poker opponent, along with Martha "Calamity" Jane Cannary, who supposedly had once married and had children with Wild Bill and remained in Deadwood after his death.
Today, Deadwood remains a real-life replica of what life once was in the city. Take a stroll down Main Street, visiting Saloon No. 10 where Wild Bill was shot, or perhaps see a re-enactment of one of the several famous gunfights of the city. Take a drive up Mount Moriah to the final resting places of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, or slightly north to see the Tatanka Story of Bison. If the few streets of Deadwood have tickled your fancy, take a trip across the other side of the terminus of US Route 385 and up the mountain to the twin city of Lead. While there, experience the Black Hills Mining Museum, dedicated to an industry that still exists in the area today.
So the next time you want to experience the history of the Wild West, Follow your Internal Compass right to the city of Deadwood.
A unique city park is out there waiting for zoologically-minded visitors.
Welcome to Garden City, Kansas and Finnup Park, home of the Lee Richardson Zoo. Owned and operated by the city's zoo department, this menagerie of several hundred species from around the world is a welcome destination for visitors of all ages throughout the entire year. Lee Richardson Zoo is unique in that it offers a choice of experiences, whether it be a traditional walk through the property at no cost to the visitor, or a safari-style drive for a small fee to help maintain the grounds.
Heading to this property was slightly unique in that, because it was done during the travel portion of this trip, we had the trailer in tow. After calling ahead, the staff was quite helpful in how we would be able to park to enjoy the zoo, although parking the "heart" elsewhere is recommended during peak times, as it is a small parking lot. Naturally the walking tour was experienced, and although we recommend taking a picture of the map as you walk in, all of the different sections of the zoo are well labeled, and both drivers and walkers are able to co-exist through the property quite harmoniously. To further help fund the zoo, various animal feeding opportunities are offered throughout the day while clearly publicly announced by loudspeaker and schedule.
At the end of the day, the experience at Lee Richardson Zoo is one that you would come to expect from an organization, whether private or public, that participates in this sort of activity. It may not necessarily be the sort of place that one would want to go out of their way to visit, especially when compared to some of the other major menageries across North America, but if you're crossing the country on either US routes 83, 50, or 400, it's not a bad spot to make a pit stop and enjoy the city, especially when the price cannot be beat for a large family.
So as you Follow Your Internal Compass to a particular destination, do take some time to see what's on the way. You may just find a hidden gem such as this.
Not your average two hundred acre wood. When in zone 2, don't let grandma get out to walk around. Too hot? Too cold? Just right.
Welcome to the outskirts of Rapid City, South Dakota, home of Bear Country USA. First opened in 1972 by the Casey family and still owned by them to the day this is written, Bear Country USA is a seasonal half driving safari, half walking zoo holding several dozen different species of animals, including a safe raising ground for the black bear, which naturally has difficulty surviving in the wild. All ages are able to experience this property, and the different opportunities give something for everyone.
As you first enter the property, you are immediately whisked to the driving portion of the zoo. Drive through several fenced and cattle guarded sections to see elk, reindeer, wolves, and many of the other species that are already living in the wild in the area. Keep the windows closed as you go through, lest you meet up with one of these creatures. As you go through, you'll see mountain lions and black bears. There are a few bison along the way, but other attractions in the area will have them more prevalent. Once you get to the end, don't head out the exit yet! Instead, park and go to the walking section, where staff members play with the young bear cubs as they frolic while on display. Several other species are also able to be seen.
Bear Country USA seems on par with the cost of the larger zoos in the country, but this one is well worth it. The grounds are maintained very well, and you can tell that the seasonal staff has a lot of fun playing with the cubs. They are only open from April to November, and good luck being able to get around during the Sturgis festival. This might be worth the trip if you're a bear enthusiast, but if you happen to be kicking around the area, it's not too bad of a stop on your way towards Mount Rushmore. Just don't try to back up when you leave, because they have one-way spike strips on the ground.
So as you Follow your Internal Compass, take some time for a trip on the wild side.
Time to hook it up and hit the road! Where we going? Stay tuned to find out.
After a brief recess, it's back to the park!
Welcome to Hot Springs, South Dakota, and the Angostura State Recreation Area for today's match. As Angostura is located within a state park, there is an entrance fee required, whether by one day or annual pass. This is a nine-hole hilly course with one tee/basket combination set and fairly noticeable elevation increases before returning to lake level. A map is available at the beginning of the course, which will certainly be needed because some of the holes are near each other, making the course slightly confusing. Before getting into the match, we have a bit of an equipment change.
Between this and the previous match, we picked up some additional discs for our arsenal; shout-out to Parked-It Disc Golf Emporium in Corpus Christi, Texas for offering an array of new and used discs for sale at a reasonable price. He has inherited the Innova Sidewinder 9/5/-3/1 distance driver, the Discraft Hawk 0^ mid-range, and Innova Colt 3/4/-1/1 putter, along with a Dynamic Discs commemorative 7/5/0/2 fairway driver from the KDGA Food Drive annual tournament. Her selection include a Latitude Rover 7/7/-1/1 fairway driver, a Dynamic Discs Evader 7/5/0/2 fairway driver, a Clash Berry 5/5/-1/1 mid-range, and a Latitude Royal Hope Prototype 2/3/0/1 putter.
With equipment out of the way, along with the pup that remained at home, how did this match go?
Course Result:
His Holes: 3
Halved: 5
Her Holes: 1
Course Record: Him 4 - 2 - 3 Her
Holes Record: Him 25 - 20 Her
Needless to say, the terrain showed its face early and often on this course. After a halved hole 1, hole 2 being perched on a steep incline, combined with a couple of missed putts, gave him an awful 9-11 edge. After a couple of halves, he made up for the previous mistake with a Larry Mize-like long chip into the hole on the 5th green to take it. This was short lived, as his tee-off on the 6th green went down into the valley, adding a couple strokes as we play as it lies. She was unable to capitalize on this mistake, though, as this and the next hole were halved. She was able to bring it back to within one on the 8th, but the hole win was traded back on the 9th. The shots were more than difficult on this Par 36, with him having a 58-62 edge.
He may have been able to take the lead with the new equipment, but will she bring it back? Until the next course, remember to Follow Your Internal Compass.
On this walk on the wild side, come add a little danger into the mix.
Welcome to Rapid City, South Dakota, home of the Black Hills Reptile Gardens. First founded in 1937 by Earl Brock as a sort of "freak show" involving snakes, this place has since grown to one of the largest menageries of reptiles in the world. Reptile Gardens is a walking zoo, ranging from indoor displays found in the central Sky Dome, to outdoor arenas and walkthroughs that are intriguing for all ages that are daring enough to visit.
On June 25th, 1961, a young gentleman named Tom Kinsella appeared on the television show "What's My Line?", stumping the panel with his seasonal occupation of an "Alligator Wrestler". Today, Reptile Gardens continues this tradition with several daily shows throughout the season where a young entertainer feeds and "wrestles" at least a dozen alligators in front of a captivated audience. The snake show still exists to this day, as well. If you want to get up close and personal, perhaps head over to the Giant Tortoises where these lovable creatures await you. There may also be a bald eagle hampered by a debilitating injury on display.
At the end of the day, Reptile Gardens is certainly a fun place to stop by if you're looking for a fun few hours. If you're going to spend a good chunk of time in the Black Hills, take a selfie near one of the "free admission" displays so you only pay once for the entire season. Although you can get through the entirety of the zoo in a day, be sure to visit during or near the height of the season to be able to see all the exhibits, as they stop wrestling alligators towards the end of the season.
So as you Follow your Internal Compass, take a stop on your way through the Black Hills for a few reptiles.
Calling all bikers: There's a trail just for you!
Welcome to the Mickelson Trail, over 100 miles of urban and rural excursion through the Black Hills of South Dakota. First named the Black Hills Burlington Northern Heritage Trail, this bike path follows an old railroad line that was abandoned in the late 20th century, and is one of many to be included in the national conservancy known as "Rails to Trails". This has since been named after George S. Mickelson, a second generation governor of South Dakota who tragically died in a plane crash in 1993 while flying over Iowa. The trail began conversion under his tutelage, and was finished by the end of the decade.
The George Mickelson Trail is a trail designed for bikers to take them from the city of Edgemont all the way to the city of Deadwood. A short spur exists near the city of Custer to allow travelers to access Stockade Lake on the way to Custer State Park, as well as one at the north end to give users access to the city of Lead. Except for within the urban centers through which the trail passes, this is a tolled trail only available during daylight hours, though like the state park system, annual passes are available at a fairly low price. Although it was designed for bikers, the trail is available for many other outdoor activity uses throughout the entire year, with a short northern portion also available for snowmobiling. A number of trailheads and shelters exist along the trail to be able to hop off at the user's pleasure, though watch out for livestock jams that may happen.
If biking isn't something for you, or you just happen to prefer the open road, the Mickelson Trail is closed to vehicular traffic, but never fear, because there are a series of roads that will take you near the trail's right-of-way. Start off in Edgemont, using County Road 18S and State Route 89 through Pringle on the way to Custer. A quick trek along US 385 right by the Crazy Horse Memorial gets you to Hill City, but here is where the real fun begins. Take a scenic combination of paved and dirt county roads towards Mystic and Rochford through a number of ranches, before heading north to US Route 85. This highway will take you north to Lead before going down the steep hill into the city of Deadwood.
So if your Internal Compass wants to take you on a long trail, the Mickelson Trail may just be the way to go.
Looking for a driving adventure? Try this one on for size.
Welcome to the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, in the middle of the Black Hills of South Dakota. People familiar with the area will know the name of Peter Norbeck, who served as both a governor and senator for the state of South Dakota in the 20th century. During this tenure, he was able to secure funding for many of the state and national treasures in the area, including Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park, as well as the establishment of Grand Teton National Park in Western Wyoming.
What consists of the Norbeck Byway is not a continuous route, but rather a figure-eight style loop of roads throughout the Black Hills. The main highlights of the byway include US Highway 16A through Custer State Park and along Iron Mountain Road, State Highway 244 taking you along the profile of Mount Rushmore, and State Highway 87, the Needles Highway, along with the truck access to Sylvan Lake via State Highway 89. The Needles Highway will require an entrance pass to Custer State Park. Although your "America the Beautiful" national park pass will not work at this location, the annual price for state park entry is at such a steal of a price that they effectively beg you to visit as many of the parks as able.
Driving along the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway is generally limited to 25-35 miles per hour, and with the twists and turns on this road, it's not that bad of an idea. Definitely unhook the trailer, because there are one-lane tunnels that will make even the single-wheeled driver question whether they can pass without folding the side mirrors. When going along Iron Mountain Road, be sure to take it east from Custer State Park to Keystone, as you'll be able to experience a "portrait" of Mount Rushmore in at least one of the tunnels. Also bring along a paper map, as parts of the Needles Highway are above 6,000 feet in elevation and out of reach of cell phone towers pointing downward from below these points.
So the next time your Internal Compass takes you to the Black Hills, don't miss the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway during your journey.
No trip to the Black Hills is complete without a drive through this gem.
Welcome to Spearfish Canyon, found in the northwestern part of South Dakota's Black Hills. Nestled along US Route 14A, Spearfish Canyon provides year-round entertainment for travelers to the area, from fishing and waterfall viewing in the summer, to skiing and snowmobiling in the winter. Even if you're not one to leave the vehicle, the drive through this treasured area is certainly not one to miss. Whether heading south from Spearfish, or north from Lead, you'll be able to take in the views of the cliffs around this meandering highway.
While down near the city of Savoy, be sure to make a stop at one of the free public parking areas and check out one of the most popular destinations of the area, Roughlock Falls. While around the trails here, you'll see the remains of a hydroelectric power station at Old Spearfish Creek Dam, which now serves as a fishing opportunity for passers by. Going north, make a stop at Bridal Veil Falls, also seeing across the way an old train right-of-way. It's not just the non-living you might see around here; if that elusive mountain goat wasn't found in Custer State Park, you might just find it here.
There's more to US Highway 14A than simply Spearfish Canyon. Once at the southern end of that portion of the highway, take a drive into Lead and Deadwood. Continue east and you'll find yourself within Boulder Canyon, another scenic drive enjoyed by many through the Black Hills. Although not quite as breath-taking as Spearfish Canyon, this drive is certainly not one to miss. Once through, you'll pop out on the eastern end of this highway at the city of Sturgis, known for its population increasing a hundred fold for two weeks out of the year.
So the next time your Internal Compass tells you to take a drive around, try out Spearfish Canyon.
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