We left Sioux City, Iowa, yesterday morning at 9:20 and headed into South Dakota, another state I haven’t been to since 1983.
I remember driving to Rapid City with the “Great One,” Randy Lewis, on the way back from a wrestling camp we worked in Ashland, Oregon. Randy was an Olympic Gold Medalist in 1984, and one of the most exciting wrestlers I have ever had the privilege to watch.
Randy’s dad took us out on a lake where I waterskied for the first and only time. And no, I didn’t get hurt.
Our mission yesterday was to visit Custer State Park, just outside of Rapid City, and watch the buffalo roam.
As we headed toward Sioux Center, South Dakota, we had serious doubts about going to Custer as it appeared to be a dismal, dreary day. The clouds were almost on the ground, it appeared, as the fog was dense. It was also a freezing cold 62 degrees (hehe).
Well, whatdyaknow, as we got closer to Sioux Center, the fog lifted and it began to warm up. En route we saw a hundred Wall Drug signs, telling us we could get a famous 5 cent cup of coffee, as well as numerous souvenirs.
Before getting to Wall, we saw a sign for the Badlands, so we drove through them, stopping a few times for photo-ops I can use in my newsletters. The Badlands trailed looped around, taking us into Wall, where we stopped to examine the chain saw art, including a Sasquatch statue that I couldn’t resist posing alongside.
Then we walked into a restaurant and had ourselves some grass-fed ribeye steaks, before heading over to Custer.
Upon entering Custer we stopped at the Visitor’s Center to get the details on where the buffalo would be roaming, as well as which directions to Needles. We headed toward Needles first, but as it was getting dark, I turned around and took the wildlife scenic loop.
We drove that loop, thinking we would see buffalo immediately, but not a one was in sight. We figured we had missed out and were debating whether to stay the night, get up early and try again.
But I would not be deterred. I kept on driving, thinking they got to be here somewhere. A few minutes later I spotted a solo buffalo eating grass. I stopped to take a photo, thinking this bull might be IT. My wife was laughing at how we’d seen numerous deer and ONE buffalo.
A few minutes later she spotted several walking up a hill. We then assumed the buffalo were retiring for the night, heading for the space behind the hills.
And then, just when all hope appeared to have vanished, there those sumbitches were, on both sides of the road, as well as ON the road.
A number of cars were pulled over, and no one was a stupid as the people you can see in Yellowstone, who get out to take close-up selfies, only to get gored or impaled by these “cute” beasts. How anyone can think a buffalo won’t do you harm is beyond me. Yes, they are stunning to look at, but never forget, they are WILD and temperamental, and unpredictable.
Anyway, we got plenty of footage of the buffalo, roaming, eating grass, and loitering in the middle of the road. And thank goodness none of them went coo-coo as we SLOWLY, respectfully passed them by.
The drive back to Rapid City was beyond dark. No reflectors, no lights, no paint dividing the road. But we made it, found ourselves a hotel, and camped inside for the night.
We’re off to Wyoming soon, where I’ll have myself another ribeye, grass-fed.
In the interim, TODAY is Zhannie and my 30th Wedding Anniversary. How cool is that?
She’s done one whaleuva job looking out for me.
And to celebrate, we want to include YOU.
So we’re having a $30 discount on many of my products.
Be sure to click here and take advantage of this special offer.
I haven’t had a sale in a LONG time, so NOW is the TIME to jump on this.
All the best!
Matt Furey