Not-Glacier, Day 8, Custer, SD, to Wall, SD

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

It was a foggy morning so instead of going straight for the Needles, we headed south on US385 through the misty mountains. The fog was lifting into low clouds when we cut back north on SD87 in Custer State Park—all of it scenic. We took the wildlife loop and found a whole herd of buffalo right by the road.

 

Also wild donkey’s. Maybe “wild” should be in quotes since we passed a family feeding and petting one by the road—not recommended practice, I believe.

When we hit US16A we cut east and then north again on Iron Mountain Road. Steve announced this was his favorite with it's tunnels and road spiraling under itself. Of course, later in the day when we drove the Needles Highway, that was his favorite. I’d be hard pressed to choose.

I don’t think we have ever been here before in high summer. The traffic was like Minneapolis rush hour. It was still semi-cloudy and I have taken a gazillion pictures on other trips so we didn’t stop except at the Norbeck Overlook at the top 

And at the Scovel Johnson Tunnel to get a picture of Mount Rushmore (that white rock just beyond where the road turns. Easier to recognize in real life.)

Traffic was heavy around Mount Rushmore as well, but if you aren’t the driver, you can still get a lot of glimpses of the giant carvings of the presidents high up on the cliff.

By then it was nearly lunch time and we headed for Sylvan Lake, back in the park. HA! Every parking space in every lot was taken as well as the road being lined with cars. We saw available picnic tables, but no place to park the car. We headed on up the road, but every pull out was full. We finally snagged a spot at the Needles Eye Tunnel.

  

No picnic table but the view was great!

We drove to the end of the road at US16A and turned around and drove the road again in the opposite direction. In my opinion, the SE-NW direction gives the best views of the mountains and rock formations. At least from the back seat. If you like looking from mountains into valleys, you might prefer the NW-SE route, but both are beautiful.

We spotted a DQ in Hill City and had to double back among the tourists to for our traditional summer holiday chocolate malts, but a sign on the door said, "Closed for the season." Sigh. The shop across the street reminded us that there was a major event at Mount Rushmore this week. I did not buy the T-shirt.

Our overnight destination was Wall, SD. (Skipping the drugstore in this time of Covid.) But we took the long way around and retraced our steps from yesterday back up US385 to Lead, then US14A back through Spearfish Canyon. Again, going the opposite direction gives a whole different view! Caught I-90 at Spearfish and whipped along to Wall, tired but well satisfied with the views.

Note to self: Next trip make time for a swim at the Devil's Bathtub. There was actually space in the parking lot, but returning swimmers said it is a mile hike.

Major electrical storm after supper. We have been standing in the doorway watching the amazing flashes. Tornado warning came through on our phones. Steve the Weather Nerd has been consulting the radar on his phone and says it is east of us. I can hear sirens as I write.