Wild West Trip - Minnesota and South Dakota

Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

 My wild west trip started early on May 6th.  When I arrived at my car, their was a fox waiting for me.  It watched me from about 10-feet from the car, and jumped back when I started the engine and backed out.

My first day's drive ended in the Twin Cities after a 300-mile drive.  I spent a nice night with my parents before heading off early the next morning for the Badlands National Park.

Storm over the Prairies Near Wall, S.D.

 Most of South Dakota is quite flat, which makes it easier to see the storms coming.  Near Wall, South Dakota, I saw several amazing storms crossing the prairie.  After a brief stop at the famous Wall Drug Store, I entered the Badlands National Park, and found my way to the Sage Creek Wilderness Campground.

Since there were storms visible all around the campground, I decided to spend that night inside my car.  When the storms blew through in the middle of the night, I was glad I had made that decision.

Wall Drug Store, S.D.

Badlands National Park, S.D.

Then next morning, I was awoken by the serenade of the western meadowlark.  I got out of my car to enjoy the beautiful music, identify the bird, and get some pictures before climbing back into the car to get a little more sleep. The campground was beautiful around sunrise.

Western Meadowlark at the Sage Creek Wilderness Campground, Badlands National Park, S.D.

Sage Creek Wilderness, Badlands National Park, S.D. at Sunrise

When I got up again, people were moving around the campground.  Much to my delight, prairie dogs were within the campground, and bison were roaming on the outskirts.  I enjoyed a quick breakfast and went exploring on foot to see the fascinating geology and wildlife of that beautiful Sage Creek Wilderness campground.

After breaking camp, I took the road tour of the Badlands National Park.  The geological formations, and wildlife were spectacular.  Some of the wildlife highlights were the prairie dogs, bison, pronghorn, and many great birds.

Prairie Dog

Prairie Dogs

Sage Creek Wilderness, Badlands National Park, S.D.

Bison in the Badlands National Park, S.D.

Pronghorn in Badlands National Park, S.D.

Badlands National Park, S.D.

Badlands National Park, S.D.

Badlands National Park, S.D.

Badlands National Park, S.D.

Mt. Rushmore, S.D.

After touring the Badlands National Park for several hours, I drove to Mt. Rushmore.  It was fun to see these famous carvings as well as all the state and territorial flags, and read about the history in their visitor's center.  On the way out, I stopped at a wayside to get a side view of the presidents, and also caught a distant glimpse of the Crazy Horse Memorial.

Mt. Rushmore, S.D.

Mt. Rushmore, S.D.

Wind Cave National Park, S.D.

The next leg of my journey brought me through Custer State Park to the Wind Cave National Park in time to get on the last cave tour of the day. Wind Cave is the fifth biggest cave in the world, and the third biggest cave in the United States.  It is famous for the winds that come out of the natural entrance, the sheer size, and the world's largest collection of boxwork formations.  I highly recommend a tour through this unique cave system.

Please note that they are taking good steps to prevent the spread of white-nose syndrome in bats, you cannot enter the cave with any clothing that has been in another cave outside the Black Hills in the last five years.  I found this to be true in other National Parks and Monuments out west as well.

Boxwork Formations in the Wind Cave, S.D.

Wind Cave, S.D.

Wind Cave, S.D.

Custer State Park, S.D.

After the tour, I took a quick drive around the very scenic Custer State Park, and spent the night in the Elk Mountain Campground of the Wind Cave National Park.

Bison with Calves in Custer State Park, S.D.

Bison Herd in Custer State Park, S.D.

Thin Ice

Last night, we had temperatures at Gunflint Lake down to - 11 degrees Fahrenheit.  It was a calm night, and Gunflint Lake was frozen by morning.  If we are lucky, it will be safe for travel close to the end of December.

Gunflint Lake is 275 feet deep at the deepest hole.  With that volume of water, it takes a long time to change temperature enough to freeze.  Every year, Gunflint Lake ices over after the lakes in Southern Minnesota (including the Twin Cities).  Remember to check on the ice before going on it.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recommends at least 4 inches of new, clear ice for walking, 5 - 7 inches for snowmobiling, 8 - 12 inches for a small car, and 12 - 15 inches for a medium truck.  Double those amounts for white ice.  Remember, ice is never 100% safe!  For more information, see the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Website.

Many people are killed every year by traveling on unsafe ice.  Over the years, many more people have been killed trying to rescue the people stupid enough to go out on thin ice.  Remember, that travel on thin ice not only risks your own life, but the lives of rescuers as well.

When the ice is thick enough to travel, I recommend bringing some ice picks. They can be put on a rope and easily carried with you.  I've tested these (when I was wearing an ice rescue suit during fire training), and they work well.

If you drive on the ice (which I don't), leave your windows down while in the car.  Your best chance of survival is to get out of the car before it sinks.  When a car goes down, it will go engine first, and most likely flip over on the bottom of the lake.  Unless you have something to break the window, you have to wait for the car to fill with water before attempting to swim through water colder than you can image to the surface, and hope you can find the hole you came through and pull yourself out onto the ice.  I personally recommend driving only on land.

Another thing to remember, just because someone else has gone on the ice does not mean you should go on the ice.  We are humans, not lemmings.  Pay attention to the "Thin Ice" signs, talk to people who live on the lake, and test the ice before walking on it.

Stay safe out there!