day two

we spent the fourth of july at mount rushmore. fitting, right? it was spectacular. i commented that they were smaller that i was expecting ... but now as i rethink that, i wonder if what i really expected was to be able to get closer to them. and, obviously, if we'd been closer they would have been larger. because i understand that they're flippin' huge. really, i do. i mean, that park ranger on lincoln's head looked pretty tiny in comparison (he's not in the photo, stop looking for him). but how cool would it be to be able to get close enough to realize how tiny you were in comparison? i'm just saying ...


we didn't drive up to crazy horse, but they're carving it close enough to the road it's not necessary. i have no doubt this will also be spectacular when they get it done. and then lynn tells me they have this thing each year where people walk out along his arm? see, that's the kind of up close & personal experience that will make you feel tiny in comparison.


so we're driving through custer state park ... and lynn says something along the lines of "it would great if you would get to see a buffalo". i, of course, agree - but we know there's a chance we won't see a single buffalo. we come around this curve and a motorcyclist coming the other direction is motioning off to the right side of the road. the people ahead of us have slowed and everyone has their cameras out. sure enough - there's a single buffalo. just hanging out. took a few photos of him lying down and made a comment like "i wish he'd stand up" ... and, of course, he did. i'm pretty sure he gave me a dirty look when he stood up though. something like "you'd better appreciate this, lady. i was really comfortable lying down, ya know." i did appreciate it, mr. buffalo. i did.


so we keep driving. and come across a second buffalo. this one did not stand up for us. but he did point out how easy it is to miss a buffalo if you're not looking for him. with the grass as tall as it is - he kinda looks like a big rock. but at this point, i'm pretty satisfied. i mean, i got to see two buffalo at pretty close range. we weren't more than 30 feet from either of these guys.


and then we came across the herd. kid you not, at least 200 buffalo ...


all crossing the street between the cars. it was amazing. lots of babies in the group - and we all know how cute things are in miniature. and if i'd felt like being ridiculously stupid, i could've easily touched them as they walked by the car. easily. seriously amazing.


one last view of mount rushmore through one of the tunnels leading to the pigtail bridges. i do love bridges. :)