Mount Rushmore - Day 2

We woke up to a beautiful, sunny morning.  I went out on the balcony, and this was my view:

We also had the yummy smell of breakfast.  Marilyn and Art, the owners had cooked up one of the best breakfasts ever.  They made baked eggs with peaches (I know, sounds weird, but it was so good!), potato pancakes, blueberry scones, fresh raspberries, and Art's famous bacon (thick sliced bacon, baked in the oven, but sprinkled with brown sugar and chili powder).  My!  I cannot wait until tomorrow's breakfast!

Marilyn gave us an itinerary.  We made a couple of changes and decided to go through Custer State Park instead of Bear Country.  It was so beautiful there.  Here is a little photo tour:

From a lookout near Custer State Park

Rolling green prairies covered in wild flowers

Buffalo everywhere, some so close you could almost touch them

They were even in the middle of the road

We saw so much wildlife

Antelope

So many kinds of birds (I loved these pretty, tiny ones)

White tailed deer

Prarie Dogs

We missed seeing the "Begging burros", which are wild burros that supposedly work as a team, with one blocking the road and the others surrounding the cars begging for food.  Apparently they won't leave either unless they get something.

After leaving the Wildlife loop, we went to the Wind Cave.  It was similar to our cave tour of Mount Timpanogas. (except we didn't have to walk a mile and a half up hill to get there!)

Inside the cave, it wasn't quite as colorful, and in my opinion, not as interesting as Kartchner or Timpanogas, but it was still nice in it's own way.  It's all amazing to me.

This is basically what you see in the Wind Cave.  It's called Boxwork and it's all over the ceiling.

After the Wind Cave, we went to the town of Custer for some lunch.  We found a nice sports bar and noticed that the TVs all had "Tornado Watch" flashing.  The waitress reassured us that it happens all the time and not to worry.  So we didn't.  Stan and Ethan ordered Buffalo burgers and loved them.  After eating, we walked around the town and went into shops.  Typical tourist traps, but it was fun, anyway.

Then we drove to Hill City and did some more tourist shopping, but by this time it was pouring rain and chilly.  It didn't stop us, though.  It was kind of fun to do something in cold rainy weather.

We headed back to the B and B to rest and to watch the storm pass while we wait to see what tonight's dessert will be.  I had a chance to finally catch up on my blog!