When I am in range of my hometown in Gillette, one of my favorite places to visit is the Black Hills National Forest, a small mountain range in Northwestern Wyoming and Eastern South Dakota. I made numerous trips to the Hills as a child, worked two summers in Custer at a camp when I was in college, and still really enjoy playing tourist in the area.
The area known also as Paha Sapa to by the Lakota seems like a special and sacred space to me. Its geological formation adds to its uniqueness -- created by a volcanic uplifting, the formation of the Hills is circular with rock formations jutting out and pointing to its most central point at Harney Peak (incidentally, one of my favorite hikes). From an areal view, you would see the center with several mountainous rings moving outward from it, like ripples moving from a disruption in a still pond. My summertime memories there are full of very dry and strong pine scents and sunrises watched from the top of rocks or other peaks. There are also the dozens of tacky tourist traps jutting out into the curvy roads promising a peak at the old west, its precious gems or gold, or other auspicious and out-of-place amusements such as the Flintstones village in Custer, SD.
I had a chance last weekend to revisit my favorite sights, and, in case you've never visited, I thought I would share the beauty with you.
The Days of '76 Parade and Rodeo in the historic downtown of Deadwood, South Dakota
A lone prairie dog stands watch over the whole prairie dog town in Custer State Park
Bison? Buffalo? Whatever you want to call them, we saw a whole herd on the wildlife loop in Custer, South Dakota
The Needles Highway still captures me with its spectacular shapes and heights
Silvan Lake is at the heart of the Hills
No trip to the Hills is complete without visiting the Faces at Mt. Rushmore
... and who can forget the cute little chipmunks scurrying underfoot!
1 comment:
Great to see where you are, Jenn!
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