Several months ago we decided on a family trip to South Dakota as Cathy and Joe R. wanted to once again visit Crazy Horse Memorial and they now offer bus tour rides to the top. Cathy, Joe R. and Joe A. had hiked to the top on the Volksmarch June 1, 2002. So, we thought it would be even better to ride up. Since we were also bringing our 8 year old grandson, Holt, we added a second objective of Bear Country U.S.A. a Drive Though Wildlife Park. Joe A. would drive the four of us on the 446 mile 7 3/4+ hour trip in his all electric 2025 Lucid Air Touring.

Being at the top of the Crazy Horse Mountain Sculpture was spectacular, especially with the ease of being driven up. While at the top, it was just our tour group of 11 people and our guide. When we got back down, we visited the sculpture's, Korczak Ziolkowski, home-studio and the Indian Museum and Native American Cultural Center, all part of the Crazy Horse memorial Complex.

The Bear Country U.S.A. a Drive Through Wildlife Park turned out to be much more exciting and elaborate than we thought, with many more animals in addition to bears in the drive through part: Rocky Mountain Elk, Reindeer, Arctic Wolves, Big Horn Sheep, Mountain Lions, Lynx, Pronghorn antelope and Buffalo. Plus, they have a Wildlife Walkway with Bear Cubs, Coyote, Red Fox, Bobcats, Porcupines, Badgers, Peccaries and, Holt's favorite, River Otters. It was great fun.

In addition to these main two objectives, we also had some unexpected adventures. We drove on Needles Highway to see some spectacular rock formations and drove through 5 tunnels blasted through the rocks. We drove through Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park and not only saw hundreds of Prairie Dogs and Big Horn Sheep, but a HUGE herd of Buffalo with their calves up close and personal. You MUST view the Videos Page in that section to get a sense of how exciting and scary it was to have these massive wild animals walk right up to and alongside our car. In addition we took a surprise trip up to the highest point in Custer State Park, the 6,013 ft. elevation Mount Coolidge and saw beautiful views and the Fire Lookout Tower.

Cathy & Joe R.

Click to enlarge Map Colorado Springs to Custer SD

Click to enlarge Map Custer, SD Area Annotated