Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary (IRAM)We had a 7 am off-road tour of the 11,000-acre sanctuary and met horses up close and personal. Wild horses are rescued from government lands, for example in Wyoming and Nevada, where they run wild and where overpopulation sends some to slaughter. Say hi to Paris and Nicole.
“Don Juan,” is one of the stallions on the ranch. Through DNA testing, it has been determined that he is a direct descendant of the Spanish mustangs brought to North America in the 15th century by the Conquistadors.
Native Americans revere the land occupied by the sanctuary. Previously barred from accessing the land, Native Americans from all over the country now come as Dayton O. Hyde, founder of the sanctuary, allows the Sundance ceremony to take place there each year at the summer solstice. This spirit pole is at the center of their sacred circle and is guarded by poles honoring veterans of foreign wars. Eagle feathers adorn the tops of the poles.
Mr. Ed giving us the razzberry.
Wind Cave National Park is the fourth largest cave in the world. It is a 121-mile breathing cave made of limestone, only 5% of which has been mapped. Our guide demonstrated what total darkness is like by turning off all the lights for a few minutes. You could not see your hand in front of your face and we could only imagine what it would be like to be lost in that cave without any artificial light.
Wind Cave contains 95% of the world’s “box work.” Imagine a brick wall where over time all the bricks have eroded away, leaving only the mortar. This is box work.
Hey Lou! We checked out the “backside” of Mt. Rushmore and it was exactly as you said it would be.
Needles Highway in Custer State Park winds its way through granite cathedral-like spires. The Spider had no trouble threading the needle through the single lane rock tunnels.
Eye of the Needle
