With John due home in a couple of days from his job in South Carolina, Jim, Becky, and I are running out of days to do some sightseeing including Jewel Cave. Shh, don’t tell John. We don’t want him having a claustrophobia attack thinking about the three of us in a cave.
Obviously, without the right camera and lighting, taking good cave pictures is nearly impossible, and I am not the greatest photographer. However, I did get a great picture of the Jewel Cave sign. The people who first found the cave noticed a lot of colors from mineral deposits and thought the cave walls appeared to be covered with jewels.
Sadie, Jim and Becky’s Australian Shepherd is joining us for the tour of the towns. She is so beautiful.
The two oldest cities in South Dakota’s Black Hills area are Custer and Hill City. The building fronts even look like an old Western town.
Custer was established after Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer and his 7th Calvary discovered gold in the Black Hills. Now, Custer is the center point for accessing Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, and the Wind Cave National Monument. It boasts the oldest saloon in the Black Hills area, established during the gold rush. I love the saloon doors too!
Today, we are touring Custer and getting pictures of all the buffaloes or “fluffy cows.” The Art Council sponsored these. My favorite is the one with the sheep on it. Do you have a favorite?
Yes, there are signs just like this one everywhere in the Black Hills area warning people not to pet the buffalo. Sad but true, natural selection has failed the human race. Signs are needed to tell us not to touch dangerous animals.
A business owner is capitalizing on us silly humans and our lack of ability to recognize these beautiful and dangerous animals for what they are.
This store showcases the fun-loving nature of the South Dakota people and perhaps a bit of poking fun at the rest of the country.
We couldn’t leave Custer without grabbing some ice cream and pie at the Purple Pie Place. Even they have an appropriate mascot.
I got John some pie, but I’m not sure it will last in the fridge for two days until he gets home. I will probably break weak and eat it.
Hill City is the second oldest town in the Black Hills area and is significantly smaller, but it still has charm. After the gold rush died out, tin was the next big boom.
After tin mining went bust, Hill City depended on the railroad to bring tourists and goods.
We found some unique artwork here as well.
This close to Sturges, there had to be a motorcycle shop SOMEWHERE.
There is also the Firehouse Brewery and Winery where you are immersed in all things fire-fighting related.
We enjoyed delicious soft pretzels, wonderful staff, and cold beer. Cheers!
