We continued our drive through the Black Hills to Custer State Park, choosing the Wildlife Loop Road hoping to find views of South Dakota wildlife. For the first 5 miles along the Wildlife Loop Road we wondered why we were on this desolate road, as we didn't see any wildlife. However, the west is about wildlife and we were determined to spot some animals before we got to Wyoming.
The first wildlife we encountered was a small herd of wild burros. As you can see from the photo below, the burros are very friendly. Four burros have surrounded the car in front of us while the person sitting in the passenger seat is feeding the burros. One of the brochures that we had seen indicated we should bring along some crackers or cookies to feed the burros.
The first wildlife we encountered was a small herd of wild burros. As you can see from the photo below, the burros are very friendly. Four burros have surrounded the car in front of us while the person sitting in the passenger seat is feeding the burros. One of the brochures that we had seen indicated we should bring along some crackers or cookies to feed the burros.
Looking for more handouts, the burros then came to our car, but we didn't have any food for them. Despite the lack of a choice morsel, they wanted to show their affection by licking our windows.
Further along the drive, we came across a small herd of pronghorn antelope resting in a field.
The bird off to the right gives you some perspective of the size of these animals. They looked so content just resting in the tall grass.
We also saw some mule deer and bison, but these were too far from the road to photograph. We will have ample opportunities once we get to Grand Teton National Park for bison pictures.
We then drove about 40 miles further west to the town of Deadwood, a former lawless town run by infamous gamblers and gunslingers. We were too late for the Wild Bill Hickok shootout on Main Street. Hickok and Calamity Jane are both buried in Deadwood.
Paul spent some time in the evening visiting one of the 80 gaming establishments. Cadillac Jack's was one of the most advertised casinos yet it only had one blackjack table open on a weeknight. A disappointment in that Paul likes to visit various tables to test his luck. It has been a long time since there was a $2 blackjack table begging for some Florida money. The $100 maximum bet was not a factor! The only other tables open were a 3-card poker table and two tables for a Texas Hold 'em tournament. However, there were lots of slot machines for those folks who like the one-armed bandits. It was an enjoyable evening without putting a hole in my wallet.
We then drove about 40 miles further west to the town of Deadwood, a former lawless town run by infamous gamblers and gunslingers. We were too late for the Wild Bill Hickok shootout on Main Street. Hickok and Calamity Jane are both buried in Deadwood.
Paul spent some time in the evening visiting one of the 80 gaming establishments. Cadillac Jack's was one of the most advertised casinos yet it only had one blackjack table open on a weeknight. A disappointment in that Paul likes to visit various tables to test his luck. It has been a long time since there was a $2 blackjack table begging for some Florida money. The $100 maximum bet was not a factor! The only other tables open were a 3-card poker table and two tables for a Texas Hold 'em tournament. However, there were lots of slot machines for those folks who like the one-armed bandits. It was an enjoyable evening without putting a hole in my wallet.
The tongue marks left by the burro on the passenger window are priceless.
ReplyDeleteLove the first of your many wildlife posts. Can't wait for more!
sounds like the wild west!!!
ReplyDelete