Mammoths and Hot Springs and Caves, Oh My!

Roadside View

Our Roadtrek looks very “vintage” next to this cool theatre in Hot Springs, SD:

Day 12: October 13

Eeks, someone left the water on next door last night:

Time for more tourist treats: off to Hot Springs (maybe we’re searching for a little heat!). On our way, we passed Pringle, “The Elk Capital of South Dakota”, and we’re hoping for the best.

We also saw the evidence of a devastating forest fire along with a sign amidst the charred trees: “Permits Required for Outdoor Burning”. we learned later that this was an UNprescribed burn in 2012, still recovering.

We passed through Hot Springs on our way to the Mammoth Site. A land developer found some “elephant bones” which were analyzed and the skeletal remains of 61 Columbian and Woolly mammoths have since been dug. Good little film, guided tour of the site, and time to walk around and take pictures. Amazing:

Next stop, Hot Springs downtown. Since the 1890’s, this town has attracted visitors to springs located around the town and area. Today, the sandstone architecture is beautiful:

Our last stop of the day was our home for the night, Wind Cave National Park. We’d heard Elk here seven years ago, so, fingers crossed.

We got settled and I took a hike through the campground (no Elk, but Prickly Pear Cactus was in bloom!):

Oh, and here’s our Elk sightings after all:

The evening ended with a campfire (!) for my view from my chair (Site 18, $9.00, Unserviced):

Day 13: October 14

Woke to thunder, lightening then the sounds and sights of HAIL:

That passed quickly, but to be safe, we decided to take the 10:00 Cave Tour to avoid any more!

It was okay, more a walk than a tour. These formations are very different from others we have seen underground, mostly web-like Boxwork:

One more swing through the Wildlife Loop at Custer was in order. We saw nothing on the road and decided to take our first sideroad (Lynda Harries Road):

…and met up with these guys at the end of the road:

Why did the Buffalo cross the road?

Too bad we didn’t bring our rollerskates:

With that good luck in mind, we went off-road again:

Oh, give me a home, where the:

roam, and the:

and the:

play!

Again, we were smiling (and singing) and headed back to the French Creek RV Park for one more night (16, $23.98 Full Hookup, Passport America-much cheaper at $17 if you stay two nights), and got another “deer” view from my chair: