The official geographic center point of America.

Oh My!  It is amazing to me how vast the western part of this country is.  In Custer, I visited a rock shop, and the owner asked me where we were from.  I told him, and then said that this was our first visit to South Dakota.  He told me that he had only been back east a few times and that mostly he travels west.

Now, why would people in the center of the nation want to travel mostly west?! By the way, about 20 miles north of Belle Fourche, South Dakota is the official geographic center point of America, so declared in 1959 by the US Coast and Geodetic Survey.  If you don't believe me, check out the follow source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographic_center_of_the_United_States


We drove through an interesting park called Bear Country.  It is a strictly a 'drive-through with your windows rolled up' adventure.  Bears are just a part of the experience.  All of the animals roam freely within defined areas.

I really like this pic.

Big Horn sheep.

Bears roam freely in the park.

Just outside of Hill City is the Circle B Chuckwagon.  It is much like the Bar J Chuckwagon in Jackson, Wyoming, in that they entertain you with cowboy music, while they feed you cowboy grub.

Across the meadow from the Circle B is an amphitheater; so we wondered over and found a seat.  Soon an Indian group began to play.  It was interesting the way they mixed native rhythm with modern harmony.  We stayed for only a few numbers, then left for Crazy Horse to see the laser light show, one of the highlights of the trip.  

While driving through Keystone, we found the remains of a once-active mine, shown below.  This town, once a mining mecca, is now loaded with tourists and motorcyclists.    

On the fence just outside the mine is a friendly reminder, to all that pass by, that you have to be born again.

Getting hungry, we stopped at the Keystone House for dinner.  Inside we found it to be a little old, but clean.  We were served by a nice, polite young man - a foreign exchange student.  We ordered the pork dinner and were delighted with the quality of food served.

The day before we left, we drove the Wind Cave Loop.  The buffalo were truly free to roam here.

The burros were free to roam also, and they were very friendly.  At one point people were actually getting out of their cars and petting and feeding these gracious animals.

We saw plenty of Antelope.

Saturday night, back in Custer, we found this place called Pizza Works.  Believe me, their pizza is one of the best I have ever tasted, and it is reasonably priced.  I totally recommend stopping here for lunch or dinner.  You won't be disappointed; and oh! the rock shop is only two doors away.  

This is where we camped.

I don't think these wolves are dangerous, but we kept our windows rolled up anyway.

We arrived home Sunday evening, tired but happy with all that we were able to see and do in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  I guess that I can now cross Mt. Rushmore from my list of places to visit before I pass on;  but believe me, I would go back for another visit if given another opportunity. 

Black Hills Central Railroad

 The Black Hills of South Dakota is famous for scenic view of rock sculpture, but not so much for it's 1880's line - the Black Hills Central Railroad.  The train is authentic, but many of the cars are remodeled.  It runs round trip between Hill City and Keystone; however you can take it only one way if you want.

There is a water tank in each town, and the engine has to fill up every trip.  As we slowly rolled along through the countryside, we were subject to the smell of smoky burnt oil.  The conductors told us that instead of coal, they used spent motor oil, the kind that is drained from cars, for fuel.

We bought our round-trip tickets in Hill City, in the above building, which is also a gift shop.  Grandma Zucc waits patiently for the train to arrive.  To the right Debbie, our friend, waits to board the train car.

The next couple pics show what the inside of the cars look like.  As we rolled along, I thought of Grandfather traveling in something like this as he made his way from Louisiana to California.  

I got a 'kick' out of these two kids.  The little girl is trying to kiss the boy on the cheek, but he won't have anything to do with it.  Ha ha.

The train crossed the paved road many times.  This country is known for it's motorcyclists.  An 'ol hippie' rode his fancy bike to each crossing, and waited for the train to pass by.  He would enthusiastically wave at the passengers each time.  I guess we all 'get our kicks' in different ways!

In Keystone, the engine gets a drink from the water tank.

I quickly ran to the Keystone ticket office/gift store, to see a man about a horse (you know what I mean, right?) while Bev and the others waited on the train for the return trip.

I stepped onto the main street and got a pic of the town sheriff.  He shot off his pistol a couple of times to get everybody's attention, then announced that there would be a gunfight in the building behind.  I didn't have time to stay.

Back on the train the girls talked a lot.  I think they really enjoyed it.  The trip back to Hill City was blessed by not having so many people aboard.  we each got our own seat.

The return ride seemed shorter, even though I knew it wasn't.  We didn't see much wildlife except for a few scrawny deer.  

But we did see a lot of old houses.  This canyon was home to many gold mines in the old days.  I don't think there are any active ones now.

A lot of homes are located alongside the tracks.  It has to be a little annoying for the residents to hear the whistle blow as the noisy train slowly passes many times daily.  However some of them waived at us, and we happily returned the friendly gesture.

Once again in Hill City, we roll to a stop.  Outside is Engine #7.  It is on display in front of the yard.

Next to #7 is an upgraded car placed next to the road for the purpose of advertising.  

Engine #7

She sits proudly now, displaying her wares to all who pass by.  She is fully operational and is ready to once again roll down the canyon if called upon.

A Close Encounter!

We had a close encounter with this magnificent rock, but not of the third kind!  I kept looking for strange lights to appear in the sky, and for the car to start shaking uncontrollably; but alas, only the still quietness of Devil's Tower prevailed.

Actually there are eight classifications of close encounters.  You really ought to check out the following link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Close_encounter

My, Wyoming is a large state.  The Yellowstone area is just a small part of it.  On this trip we saw lots of wilderness, extending all the way from Evanston, up through the Muddy Gap area, clear up to the Northeastern corner, just below the Montana state line.  

My friend Mike, and I walked right up to the base of this volcanic structure.  There is a paved trail leading right into the talus slope.  It continues around the entire tower, with geological signs conveniently placed along the way. 

At one point there was a sign telling us not to disturb the religious items along the pathway.  I guess people come here to commune spiritually somehow with a higher power.  The natural grandeur of this tower is awesome.   

As we drove away, the sun was just setting in the west, leaving us with a picturesque setting.  UFO's or not, we were treated to a beautiful sky.    

We had to dawn our jackets.  It gets cold in the late afternoon way up here.  Why they call this Devil's tower, I don't know.  To me it could have been named God's Throne!