on to the "top of the world"

It was getting late in the afternoon. The good folks at Coyote Blues had recommended the Circle View Guest Ranch near Interior, SD. 

A few miles west of Interior, I found the driveway to the Ranch. This view is to the north looking back, half-way up a butte -- I couldn't even see the buildings but knew they must be near the top of the world. The view in all directions was breathtaking, but being tired & hungry I put off photography to the next morning when, hopefully, the sun would be shining.

posted on the fridge at Circle View

I wasn't about to make a 60mi. round trip to Wall to look for a restaurant. Phil, who owns Circle View with his wife, Amy, recommended the Wagon Wheel Bar & Grill in Interior. The review posted on the Wagon Wheel link is pretty accurate. I had pizza that was filling, if not of gourmet quality, and some Mexican beer that was surprisingly good. It was time to hit the sack and look forward to exploring the Badlands in the morning.

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more buffalo

Interesting article about buffalo and Custer State Park in today's Star Tribune.

Click on the below photos to enlarge them.

What's with the funny-shaped horn?

THIS is what proper horns should look like.

What do you suppose they're talking about?

I think it's time for me to move on!

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where the antelope play and the buffalo roam

double click on images to enlarge

my motto:  let sleeping buffalo lie

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You'll never guess what's next!

every turn disclosed something new

not deer, not antelope, not buffalo, then what?

Wild Burros! I had never seen any before. 

they didn't seem very wild

But why does he need to lick my car?

My favorite Burro shot -- iPhone -- through the windshield. Go figure!

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blue skies & sunshine

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We want ANIMALS!

We gotta do better than a Prairie Dog!

Deer are nice, but where are the Buffalo? Do I have to ask for my money back?

Finally!

movin' on

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rocks and hills, oh deer

Lichen! (this one's for you Nancy)

Who would have thought I'd see my first Spring Robin in Custer State Park?

going higher

and higher

I saw many deer -- the South Dakota deer seem smaller than ours in Minnesota

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movin' on to Custer State Park

sunrise at Coyote Blues Village -- my last morning there

I didn't see any coyotes at Coyote Blues -- he must have scared them away

the meadows & woods surrounding Coyote Blues

my hosts at Coyote Blues, Christine & Hanspeter Streich, had prepared a great breakfast & even packed sandwiches for lunch -- in Hill City I stopped for some take-out coffee

the main drag in Hill City -- the skies predicted a beautiful day

upon entering Custer State Park, I was surprised by the amount of snow

I was amazed to find trees growing out of rocks in "impossible" places

(more to follow)