Needles Highway and Custer Wildlife Loop

Cathedral Spires

Coming into the tunnel! 

20 minutes later still in the tunnel.. back and forth

On our way towards Mount Rushmore we went on the Peter Norbic scenic highway. The first Northern most 14 miles are also known as the Needles Highway.  The original monumental sculptures were going to be there and be of western figures but the rock was found to be too soft.   That's good news for us as the drive is positively amazing.  Lots of scenery and then you get to THE tunnel.  The Needle's Eye it's called. We were fortunate enough to get there when a tour bus was going through.  One of the spectators was a regular and told us that these tour buses were older.  They were only 8 feet across while the others were 8.5 feet across.  The newer buses can't go through.  I have to admit watching the older bus go through had me catching my breath.  Mom and Tommy are tired I think.   Neither wanted to get out of the car.  They both were glad when I made them do it though. The driver had to get out and fold in the mirrors it was so tight.  I don't want to think about what those poor people would do if the bus got stuck in there.  Ai yi yi.   

Then we went through the tunnel ourselves.  It wasn't that bad.. Turns out a car has a lot more clearance than a bus!

On the other side we stopped and I maintain that porta potties are a necessity because that was a little nerve wracking! I am also claiming another pseudo Barf Vader sighting.  A chipmunk is a rodent.  A squirrel is a rodent!  Coincidence?  I think not!

Custer Wildlife Loop was great!  We did part of the loop and then headed further west.  On our way we saw LOTS of wildlife.  A couple of hawks, buffalo, antelope.  I think if we had started out later we would have seen even more! As we toodled along we noticed a rest area complete with the required and as it turns out necessary restroom.  I thought the name was fun so took a picture of it .  Then I noticed that there was in fact a hole in the wall.  It was a short cave.  Nothing exciting but it was much cooler in there than outside.  I went in even as I wondered why a bear or snake or something was not living there.  It only went about 5 feet in so I guess I had my answer.  Still it was a fun little side adventure.

The infamous hole!

 

My friend the burro.

I posted some pictures of the wildlife we saw.  Forgot to mention the begging burros below.  No - I did not feed them but I did pet them and get my picture taken with one.  Mom and Tommy wouldn't get out of the car!  They were beautiful and friendly until they realized you didn't have anything for them.  Then they were like cats.. eh... I'm ignoring you!

Isn't he beautiful?

 Mom and Tommy were a little tired and I guess I was too because we saw a turtle crossing sign and I started hopping up and down yelling, "Bump! Bump! Bump!".  Yes it's morbid but you have to admit -- funny!
  Later on we passed a deer crossing sign and I just yelled, "BUMP!".  Mom and Tommy were ready to get out of the car and away from me.  Hee! hee!



Here is a line of buffalo that we saw.  There were more than five but seeing them stand in line was a unique shot.
It was really pretty! 

Then we went on an antelope hunt.  Guess what?  We found them taking a snooze in a pretty little meadow. 

We went to the hotel after this and crashed.  It was a busy day!