South Dakota

Yellowstone NP left a big impression and we were tempted to go up to Glacier NP.  Twice we actually made some arrangements to go there, but then we heard that most of the roads in the park were closed and so we headed east. 

Our next touristy stops were in western South Dakota.  We visited Mount Rushmore and those presidents are still looking good up there.

One of the drillers who worked on the sculpting back in the 1930's was signing books and answering questions in the shop.  He was 17 when he got the job working there and is the last one left.

We camped down the road from the monument in a really nice campground.  We treated ourselves to a new tent recently and put it up.  It was too cold at night to sleep in it, but it looks good.

We got ahead of ourselves and missed a little stop in Wyoming.  We visited the Battlefield at Little Big Horn.  A very enthusiastic ranger gave a talk about the history of the battle and explained Custer's last stand.  There are white markers to identify where soldiers died on the battlefield.  Every year they have a re-enactment of the battle, and perhaps these horses take part.

Bears were not to be seen in Yellowstone, or anywhere else that we went, so to see bears we went to a place called Bear Country USA, near Mt Rushmore. Pretty touristy, but there were bears.

There were some elk also, with more antlers than we'd spotted up in the higher country.

 They had bighorn sheep too, which we hadn't seen yet either.

All the black bears ran together in a big pen which we drove through.  Black bears are not all black, they can be brown or even sort of blonde too.

Maybe it is like being at a spa for them... a bit of time on the logs, then maybe a swim.  Wonder what is for lunch?

The Grizzlies are in their own enclosure, not where we drive.  Look at that face!!! 

 Cuddly.

The cubs all had their own enclosure (nursery) where they play non-stop.  We're not sure if these cubs get together with their moms at the end of the day or what, but maybe we don't want to dwell on the happiness of these animals.

 It was good to see all the bears and I was pleased that Phil and Chris didn't leave me there.