We are beyond happy with our decision to come all the way to Custer State Park in South Dakota! This place is awesome…and the work we are trading for our campsite isn’t too bad either.
We signed up as volunteers at Custer State Park. Russ has been assigned to the Ground Maintenance team and is doing more than he was originally told he would be doing. And has a work truck…and…HE GETS TO CUT GRASS TOO! Yes, he is that excited.
I survived my first week of visitor center training (there are four of them here), it was like standing in front of a fire hydrant. But I’ve already met people from all over the world, and it helps me get my two thousand plus words a day out!
One of four visitor centers, Badger Hole is by far my favorite places. Badger Clark was the first Poet Laureate of South Dakota and wrote the Cowboy Prayer. Custer State Park
We arrived later in the day on June 29th. Setting up was going uneventful when several of our neighbors started talking about an in-coming storm. Several moved their vehicles across the road under the trees. The sky darkened up. Hail was mentioned, and just as we buttoned up the last few things…it let loose. Welcome to South Dakota, home of the bi-weekly hail storm.
But the hail can be overlooked when the view is in your backyard. Here’s just a few of our initial greeters.
That’s a big boy. Buffalo in the campsite. Custer State Park
Little man, you still have fuzz on those antlers. Custer State Park
Little Buck. Custer State Park
“I’m sure there will be something good if I get closer.” Custer State Park
This is the view looking down into our camping area.
Home sweet home for the summer and fall!
Our fire pit has a view up the hill. Custer State Park
We have many birds, this little American Goldfinch stopped by to rest on a rock in the yard. Custer State Park
Just behind our camp site and up the hill, is one of the many hiking trails in Custer. Lover’s Leap is a 3 mile loop and if you don’t confuse the trail marking “ahem, Jennifer” its a fun trail which crosses over the creek about a dozen times and has a scenic view of the park and beyond, from the peak.
Early morning dew. Lover’s Leap Trail, Custer State Park
Lover’s Leap Trail, Custer State Park
Dragonfly. Lover’s Leap Trail, Custer State Park
Dragonfly fun. Lover’s Leap Trail, Custer State Park
Taking a break from the cold creek. Lover’s Leap Trail, Custer State Park
There was a fire in the park last December, about half the park was effected. But, everything is greener and making a come back.
Remnants of 2017 December fire. Lover’s Leap Trail, Custer State Park
Fire damage. Lover’s Leap Trail, Custer State Park
Everything is coming back strong. Lover’s Leap Trail, Custer State Park
Lover’s Leap Trail, Custer State Park
Lover’s Leap Trail, Custer State Park
Ruger is new to hiking. Not sure if he knew he was stepping in mud or not, but he sunk down pretty deep and needed a creek clean up. #muddydog. Lover’s Leap Trail, Custer State Park
You can lead a dog to water… Lover’s Leap Trail, Custer State Park
Almost a dozen creek crossings. Lover’s Leap Trail, Custer State Park
A little trail break. Lover’s Leap Trail, Custer State Park
The view from the top. Lover’s Leap Trail, Custer State Park
view from the top. Lover’s Leap Trail, Custer State Park
Afternoon storm approaching. Lover’s Leap Trail, Custer State Park
Lover’s Leap Trail, Custer State Park
Lover’s Leap Trail, Custer State Park
There is more to come from our Custer State Park, can’t wait to share all the baby animals we’ve seen so far. Thanks for sharing our adventure with us.
No Ka Oi Log 