Sunday, May 19, 2013-

This has been a super 3 days at Custer State Park.  We were dreading this busy Open House weekend once we found out about it.  With free entry and Free fishing  - no license needed weekend we thought it would be way to busy to enjoy.  I must say we were pleasantly surprised to find out that wasn’t the case.  Yes, all the campgrounds were full, but they offered so many free activities to kick off the season it was all fun.  Everything from Canoeing Basic taught to kids, a Fishing Derby for everyone, Lots of entertaining shows, Gold panning demonstrations, Ice cream social, and much more

We went to the Pancake feed this morning, not knowing what to expect. It was in the Game Lodge. It was advertised as free, but donations were accepted with the money used to support the Kids fair in town on the 4^th of July. We gave a donation and the breakfast was awesome. Everything was hot as they fixed it as people came in. It came with Pancakes and Bacon with Coffee and O.J. The volunteers served it and everyone was so nice. Since we were new to the area they told us not to miss the “Infamous Buffalo Chip Flip!” It was taking place this afternoon.

 

 The Volunteers taking a break at the end of the breakfast.

 



 

After breakfast we went to computer lounge to post the blog.

It rained all day today, so we decided to hang around the park and took a drive on the Iron Man Highway.  It’s another scenic tour through the park with lots of tunnels and bridges and when coming out of one of the tunnels you could see Mount Rushmore in the distance.  Even in the rain it was a nice trip.

Beautiful wild flowers and trees are just beginning to bud

 

 

One of many narrow tunnels

 

The Prairie and the Mountains

 

One of about 10 Antique cars were coming down the mountain

The seem to handle the mountains pretty well.

 Another lookout point

You can see Mount Rushmore as you drive out of this tunnel

 

 

 In the rain and from this view it looks like

President Washington is crying for our country.

As we arrived back, we noticed they were starting the Chip Flip and lots of people were there even in the rain, so we decided to stop and watch it.  It was quite interesting with a lot of contestants of all ages.  I took a picture of the truck that had all the Buffalo Chips that had been gathered.  It was from that truck that the contestants picked their chips.  Not something we have ever seen before. 

Before we knew it, the ranger convinced us we should be part of the contest in the over 50 group.  We both did quite well and ended up in 4^th place in both of the male and female category.  I won a trip to Big Thunder Gold Mine.  We will be going there tomorrow.  Ton won a Bull Deer Whistle to be used when hunting.  HA HA :)

As you can see, it is never boring here.  We miss our buffalo since the rangers kicked them out of our campground, but we saw some on the road and had some white tail deer in our backyard this evening.  

 

Another great day.