More Custer State Park pics!

Good morning all.........

Here is a sample of "9 am morning rush hour" here at Custer State Park. We were going around a curve and there was the herd.....in no particular hurry, I might add. Bulls, cows, and babies......everywhere. The herd moves at random........where and when they want.
We just sat there for 15 min or so, with our motor turned off.....enjoying nature at it's best.
These animals are huge.......and it's just a wonder to get so close to them and observe them
doing what they do best.........pulling up grass, snorting, and wallowing in the dust. The
babies are skittish and stick close to Mom. But not a one was in a rush...and neither were
we!

Part of the park still shows signs of the terrible forest fires which raged thru the west in
1988. It's been 20 years since then, and still the land struggles to recover. Yet new
growth is apparent in the green underbrush and grass and small trees. Most fires out here are started from lightning. The undergrowth here is managed by the park; it is gathered in large bundles and burned when it's dried out.......thereby keeping fuel for a fire at bay.

We've seen many wonders today. Big horn sheep grazed on a rocky hillside.......four rams keeping close company. Their horns looked too heavy for their heads, but they didn't seem to mind. They can traverse a steep rocky mountainside like we would a road, with nary a misstep.

Many deer were out today..........keeping a close eye on their surroundings. They look so delicate as they step over a log or duck under branches. Yet with a flick of that white tail, they're gone.

We've talked with many full time RV'rs here who volunteer their time at the park. In exchange for a committed amount of time, such as 3 mos, they receive a free campsite with full hook-ups, 3 meals a day, free activities in the park such as horse back riding and jeep safaris, and a small wage. Many of them told us we should do it. We did look into it today, talking with the HR manager of the park. He would like us to start Thurs, the day we're slated to leave here! While it's certainly tempting, we still want to see some of the other great parks our country has to offer, such as Glacier, and Yellowstone, and the Tetons. We may do some work camping at some parks down south over the winter, we'll have to see what we can find out about that. For now though, we'll just travel, and file away what we know about this new way of camping. I can see though it would be a great way to help with finances, and make some great new friends, all doing the same things we're doing. To me, the best of both worlds.

Went on another 3 mile hike today to "Lover's Leap" lookout. It was a loop trail,
traversing the same creek a number of times.......challenging at times, but always fun to try and figure it out. The trail was labeled moderate/severe..........I think I'm a "moderate" type of gal after this one. It was so high going up, and rocky, I thought my legs had turned to jello. But what a view......all worth it. The trip down was just as slick as could be.....I only had one mishap which ended up in a scraped knee and elbow......and that was with walking sticks! A mountain goat I am not.

We have one area of the park yet to see tomorrow, and then we're off to Wyoming on Thursday. We'll see you on the road.

Love........Kathie