Part Two
Sunday morning was dark, dreary and Rapid City was thoroughly drenched in rain. Great for the flowers, not so good for an outside holiday like the 4th of July.
When the weather forecast predicted rain for the day, I canceled my plans to watch fireworks. I thought to perhaps just quietly read for the day. Then the phone rang...
Though the previous day had been filled with some lovely scenes, it was also draining. JhonDuane apparently felt the same. So we agreed to meet in Hot Springs, and through the Black Hills for the day, letting the winds take us wherever. I packed whatever I could get my hands on for picnic items, and headed South on 79.
The whole way down it rained. I thought to myself, well, if worst comes to worst, we can picnic in the car anyway! By the time I pulled into Hot Springs the rain was intermittent. By the time Jhon arrived, the rain had stopped, and there were patches of blue in the sky... and then, we headed North.
We drove through Wind Cave National Park with the thought of taking a tour...WRONG! The cars were overflowing the parking lot- and the rest prowled around like sharks looking for prey.
And so we continued on, and came across a large herd of buffalo.
Though it was a warm rain, some of the buffalo calves didn't look too happy with it all!
Luckily, comfort isn't far away!
A magnificent bull crossed our path, talking to his ladies...
We left him to his interests...
As we drove on the sun came out, and blue skies made for a brilliant late afternoon.
The little car waited patiently while we got out to take some photos.
I got a shot of the flax flowers...
... and someone got a shot of me!
Which was reciprocated!
Touche!
It was so remote in this part of the park, I couldn't help but feel this is exactly as it must have looked to the Lakota People, pre-contact.
A few residents obligingly posed...
The beauty of the road lured us further and further along...
... and eventually into the achingly beautiful area of Buffalo Gap. It was through here that the buffalo wandered after they had emerged from Wind Cave, the Lakota People following...
So we began our drive back to Hot Springs, to the little roadside park, to grill some chicken, and enjoy the small picnic delicacies we had brought...
But first- one last stop-
our little friend serenaded us as we paused to view the breathless scene of blood-red earth!
The sun set over a long and leisurely meal, with plenty of good conversation.
Then, at dusk- we meandered slowly back to the car, and drove reluctantly back to town... just in time, as it turned out- to join the crowd- young children and old ones alike- for the Grande Finale!
Fireworks over Hot Springs- what a treat!
Sunday morning was dark, dreary and Rapid City was thoroughly drenched in rain. Great for the flowers, not so good for an outside holiday like the 4th of July.When the weather forecast predicted rain for the day, I canceled my plans to watch fireworks. I thought to perhaps just quietly read for the day. Then the phone rang...
Though the previous day had been filled with some lovely scenes, it was also draining. JhonDuane apparently felt the same. So we agreed to meet in Hot Springs, and through the Black Hills for the day, letting the winds take us wherever. I packed whatever I could get my hands on for picnic items, and headed South on 79.
The whole way down it rained. I thought to myself, well, if worst comes to worst, we can picnic in the car anyway! By the time I pulled into Hot Springs the rain was intermittent. By the time Jhon arrived, the rain had stopped, and there were patches of blue in the sky... and then, we headed North.
We drove through Wind Cave National Park with the thought of taking a tour...WRONG! The cars were overflowing the parking lot- and the rest prowled around like sharks looking for prey.
And so we continued on, and came across a large herd of buffalo.Though it was a warm rain, some of the buffalo calves didn't look too happy with it all!
Luckily, comfort isn't far away!
A magnificent bull crossed our path, talking to his ladies...
We left him to his interests...
As we drove on the sun came out, and blue skies made for a brilliant late afternoon.
The little car waited patiently while we got out to take some photos.
I got a shot of the flax flowers...
... and someone got a shot of me!
Which was reciprocated!
Touche!
It was so remote in this part of the park, I couldn't help but feel this is exactly as it must have looked to the Lakota People, pre-contact.
A few residents obligingly posed...
The beauty of the road lured us further and further along...
... and eventually into the achingly beautiful area of Buffalo Gap. It was through here that the buffalo wandered after they had emerged from Wind Cave, the Lakota People following...
So we began our drive back to Hot Springs, to the little roadside park, to grill some chicken, and enjoy the small picnic delicacies we had brought...
But first- one last stop-
our little friend serenaded us as we paused to view the breathless scene of blood-red earth!
The sun set over a long and leisurely meal, with plenty of good conversation.
Then, at dusk- we meandered slowly back to the car, and drove reluctantly back to town... just in time, as it turned out- to join the crowd- young children and old ones alike- for the Grande Finale!
Fireworks over Hot Springs- what a treat!
... not bad for a dark and dreary day!
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