Wow - getting a late a start tonight.  We just got back from putting our set up.  Well, let's be honest - Harrison mostly put up the set while I tried, unsuccessfully, to shoot some hoops with a stray basketball I found.

Anyway...
Let me finish telling you about the Hills.

We had the privilege of spending a few nights at Harrison's family's cabin.  It is located at the Blue Bell Resort in Custer State Park.  It belongs to Harrison's Great Aunt Barbara and Great Uncle Allen, who live in Hot Springs.  We had the pleasure of visiting them on Saturday.  Technically, they are relatives of Harrison's uncle "by marriage", but they have always treated us like family and it is always a joy to see them.   They are so generous to let us stay in their sweet, little cabin.

On our way back from Hot Springs, we ran into this little guy...

 

I sent Carson a postcard with a Buffalo on it, and then told him on the phone that we had seen them that close.  He said, "I thought someone else took that."  I explained that he was right, but that we DID see some that close and took some pictures.  Here you go, buddy! Of course, the only reason we got this shot is because of our intense zoom on our awesome camera.  We would never approach a buff this close. Buffalo are dangerous!!

 

We were there during the Annual Buffalo Round-up where they round up the entire Custer State Park herd - over 1,000 Buffalo - to vaccinate them and manage the herd.  Needless to say, we got to see a lot of Bison!

 

We drove through the Wildlife Loop and found a few more.  I love how this guy is just casually walking down the road.

And then he posed as we drove by.

We literally screamed when we drove away.  I literally could have reached out the window and touched him.

 

Just to clarify, I am not being sexist by referring to all these buffalo with masculine pronouns.  I have become very good at identifying gender in this species.  In case you ever wanted to know, the males horns' angle straight up like this so they could be used to ram in a fight.  But the females horns' round in toward each other so that when they bend their heads forward they can push and prod their young without stabbing them.  Now you know.

 

 

We also found a few burros.

They are soooooo cute. Unfortunately, they are becoming very domesticated because people feed them from their vehicles which is obviously harmful to wild animals.  Come on, people!

 

We took a few failed self-timer shots...

and then visited Sylvan Lake - the site of our wedding reception.

 



(I told you you'd see this pose again.)

 

OK.  Then, on Saturday, we got to do the coolest thing ever.  Seriously.  We got to climb the Crazy Horse Memorial. 

Here is Harrison at the starting line.

 

We had heard of the Volksmarch where people get to hike the Crazy Horse mountain, but we had never been there at the right time.  This year, for the first time, they had an Autumn Volksmarch, and we timed it out perfectly!!  So, for the whopping price of $3 and 3 cans of food each, we got to do one of the coolest things ever!

 

EVER!!

We started the 6.2 mile hike right when they opened the gates and booked it up there.  We were the 3rd and 4th person to the top.  It was so lovely to have this peaceful moment and an uncluttered shot.  It was so majestic.

Unreal.

 

All four heads of Mount Rushmore would fit inside Crazy Horse's face.  While our children's children's children will probably never see the completion of this monument, it is an impressive sight, especially up close.  

 

So, in the spirit of Korczak Ziolkowski, Crazy Horse's late designer and sculptor, we hope you

Never Forget Your Dreams.



 



 

We'll try not to either.

 

LOVE,

Carry and Harry