Custer State Park

Tuesday, September 24th -- We were very anxious to experience the Eye of the Needle. But we had no desire for the white knuckle experience of driving the Needle HIghway. 

So we found a route that goes up to the park from the town of Custer, and that was a very nice drive! When we got to the Eye of the Needle, we found there is noone there directing traffic, so everyone is on their own to be courteous and take turns, since this is very obviously a one-way street. But it went very smoothly! As we drove thru, someone tried to come in on the other end, and they promptly backed up to let us pass. Ed drove thru the first time and Wow! That was an awesome experience! It's a tight fit!

On the other side of the Eye of the Needle, there is an overlook where you can pull off and/or turn around. What an awesome view!!

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Then Ed wanted me to drive back thru, so he could take pictures! Oh... O o o o ok.....  But it went fine, and we parked on the side of the road on the other side!

And there were more awesome views on that side!

On our way to the Eye of the Needle, we passed right by Sylvan Lake, which is just inside the gate for the State Park. So we decided to stop there for a bit and let General out so he could walk for a bit. This place is beautiful! There is a trail all the way around the lake (only about a mile), although part of the trail is uphill and rocky. We walked around about halfway.

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On our way back to the truck, we passed a couple who were sitting at a picnic table. They took an interest in General, and we just started chatting. They told us about the Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park where you can see Donkeys, and Big Horn Sheep and Bison! We hadn't heard anything about that yet, and got very excited! When we ended our chat, we headed off immediately in that direction! We got about half-way around the loop and hadn't seen any animals except one Bison who was laying down off in the distance. But then we came across a small herd of donkeys, and stopped to get pictures of them.

This brown donkey came right up to the driver door where I was. So I got out to pet him and scratch his face. and the whole time, Ed keeps saying "Honey, he's a wild animal, be careful" over and over. Yes, I guess I should have been more careful, but he was just too darn cute!

We were a little ways past the half-way point when we saw about 6-8 BIson standing in the road, with several cars stopped ahead of us. Before we got up to them, a Ranger had come by and chased them off the road with his truck. So when we went by the Bison, they were walking right on the side of the road next to us!!! This was the closest we had ever seen them! It was so awesome!!

The Wildlife Loop was awesome, and we highly recommend that as a must do!!

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Related Blog Entries - 
09/19/19 - Heading to Custer, SD!
09/20/19 - Sick Baby...Again!
09/21/19 - Exploring Custer SD!
09/22/19 - Baby all Better!
09/23/19 - Crazy Horse Monument!
09/25/19 - Deadwood!
09/26/19 - More Deadwood!
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