 |
| Dramatic outcropping that is part of the Needles |
 |
| The Black Hills are covered with deep green (almost black) trees - photo taken at historic Deadwood |
After trudging through the endless prairies, the Black Hills
of South Dakota must have looked both inviting and forbidding to early
pioneers. The dark pine trees on the
mountains look black from a distance, hence the name. The presence of trees indicate the
possibility of water and shade. But, the
Black Hills also are rugged mountains with tall, impassable, granite
escarpments.
 |
| From the Needles |
 |
| Monoliths of stone |
 |
| Threading the Needle - tiny tunnel |
The Needles is one such set of stone formations.
They are tall, eroded granite spires
sticking in the air.
A twisty road full
of hair pin turns takes you through the Needles.
Every turn is an extraordinary view and photo
op.
You go through several tunnels barely
wide enough for one car at a time.
Some
of them are only 8 or 9 feet tall.
[We
had borrowed our cousin’s car – the motor home would have never made it!]
 |
| Lovely Sylvan Lake |
 |
| Letting the horses out to pasture (across the road) - Custer State Park |
The Needles are part of an extraordinary park, Custer State
Park.
Also in Custer SP is the gorgeous
Sylvan Lake.
We stopped there for a
picnic lunch, and walked along the shoreline path.
It was a Saturday, and it seemed like all of
the residents in the Black Hills had decided to swim and picnic there.
No matter, it was lovely.
We did not take the Wildlife Loop in the park,
where you can view (among other things) a huge herd of bison.
We ran out of time.
 |
| These Pronghorn Antelope are taking a siesta (it was hot) - Wind Cave NP |
WOW!
ReplyDelete