Black Hills - Lover's Leap Trail & Wildlife Loop - Rose's viewpoint

May 31^st – Lover’s Leap – makes you wonder about today’s plans???  Noel wants to do a hike so off we go to what the hiking book says is a beautiful hike. Okay- the good parts of the hike—awesome views almost the entire way,  I was so busy looking all around that I developed stump toe  (think about it—all those tree roots and me not paying any attention.)  Then at the top- here is a giant rock face you can scramble up and look down onto this picturesque valley- so serene and covered with shots of sunlight. Of course with every good there must be some bad—here goes.  I asked “is the trail dry”- the brochure says there are 10 stream crossings (remember all the rain.)  Park ranger volunteer’s response  “oh yes, they even put in new bridges”.  Let’s define bridges—these are two pieces of wood laid across the stream- albeit fairly think wood- but bridge—no way!!  Okay now let’s define dry- sure the new “bridges” were in place but the streams were so swollen that the water literally ran down the hiking trail in numerous (oh- at least a dozen) places.  So we sloshed through mud and water on a nice little 3 ½ mile hike.  Oh—now for the best part- the stream banks are full of poison ivy—oh yea  poison ivy.  You’d think smart people would know what this looked like (ya think) but of course no idea. We were walking along and met another couple who informed us of this wonderful plant.  Of course this was at the very last bit of the trail. Can’t wait to see how bad I break out – just give me the required few days. Going to Walmart  Friday to buy all the poison ivy stuff they have!!!!

May 31^st- Continued- Wildlife Loop.  After the hike headed for Wildlife Loop,  an 18 mile drive through Custer State Park that is noted for its wildlife.  We hadn’t  gone a mile and up on the hill directly in front are at least 50 bison along with at least 20 babies (what do they call baby bison?? .)  Towards the end of the drive there was another herd of bison,  again at least 50 with babies—now the good part- right next to the road—oh yea—they were everywhere and real close.  I am somewhat getting over my fear that one of these massive animals is going to attack the jeep and of course occupants.  In between the start and finish—we saw smaller bison herds, deer, pronghorn, prairie dogs and burros.  OMG- the burros were cute with some standing in the road blocking traffic.  Did I say these burros were cute??  Let me explain,  Noel had taken the windows out of the jeep- so we could enjoy the views more however (you’ve got it)  there was nothing between us and the burros.  So here I am with an apple  (soon to be past tense)  and these two burros come up and stick their heads  (along with 12 inch ears)  inside the jeep to try and get the apple.  Okay as if that’s not bad enough here Noel is emphatically stating—feed the baby it’s so cute—feed the baby—yea like I could even see the baby with two burro heads and ears in my face.  Perhaps this is where that saying started—in your face???  Whew- made it- all my fingers in tact but yuck I am covered in burro slobbers- hard to avoid them when the animals are practically in the vehicle with you.  Thank goodness for Purell  sanitizer and lots of napkins.