Saturday, May 28, 2022

Temperature 66 Degrees, Overcast, Waiting for the Rain

The Mammoth Site

We discovered this museum by accident. Yet, we are so glad we not only discovered it but took the time to visit it. It is all about a time long, long ago in a land nothing like what we know today. It is about that time in our earth’s history when Mammoth’s roamed the earth. Let me take you on a brief tour.

As your enter the lobby Napoleon is there to greet you.

Now, before we enter the Bonebed some history about what we are to witness.

This is the story of an ancient sinkhole that formed during the Ice Age some 140,000 years ago and its fatal attraction for the mammoth’s and other animals of the day.

With lush vegetation growing around the rim of the sinkhole and the promise of a cool drink of water the Mammoth’s were naturally drawn to this location.

Only one problem. Once the mammoths were enticed into the pond they soon discovered that the combination of the slippery shale that made up the sides of the pond; and, the steep angle of the pond edge fatally entrapped them. Eventually they would die and their bodies would sink to the bottom of the pond. In time the pond went dry and

So, now we have a filled in sinkhole from the ice ages with who knows what captured in it just waiting to be discovered.

We jump now to 1974.

Discovered in 1974 today the site is still a working paleontological dig site. Scientists at The Mammoth Site have already discovered more than 61 mammoths. What is yet to be discovered? Well, since they still have not gotten to the bottom

of the sinkhole there is a lot yet to be discovered. Usually, teams spend one month a year in the bonebed and then the following 11 months cleaning, cataloging and preserving what they find.

Let’s go into the bonebed.

You are now looking into the deeper end of the sinkhole. Note the steep sides of the sinkhole. Standing here at the overlook you get the best view of the overall breath and depth of the sinkhole deposit.

Here in the deep end we find

This is thought to be the most complete Columbian mammoth skeleton found so far. It is believed that he was 47 when he died.

These are believed to be two of the most preserved skulls found to date. Both of these skulls are the only two that still have their tusks attached.

Flag one here at the deep end marks the actual center of the spring conduit where warm water slowly emerged into the sinkhole to create an inviting pond. If you were here in the Ice Age where these bones were just settling to the bottom of the pond you would be in the middle of a warm water pond 50 to 60 feet deep treading water, looking for a way out. Alas, the steep slippery sides at this end would prevent your exit.

Continuing,

We’re going to skip over much of what is in the middle of the sinkhole and move to the other end of it.

This is the far western end of the sinkhole. Note the notice of the angle of the sediment beds – they are first horizontal and then dip steeply toward the middle of the sinkhole, creating a sharp drop. This area they believe could have been where the mammoths entered the sinkhole, only to find they could not get out again. This sinkhole was truly a mammoth-selective trap.

Staying down at this end

Take a look at the isolated tusks in this area. Tusks are constantly growing and are only loosely connected into the socket of a skull. Because of this, they can easily slide out of the socket while the carcass is decomposing.

Still down at the deep end.

We’re looking at the lower half of a mammoth skeleton. We can see the fan shaped hip bones. Below each is the upper leg bone.

OK, the above is just a really small selection of all that is to be discovered here at this museum. We enjoyed our time here and found it to be fascinating and a great learning experience. We both came away with a new appreciation of what life was like on our planet so many, many years ago. This is definitely a bucket list item, especially if you enjoy history or are just curious about life during the Ice Age. Hope your enjoyed our time here.

Thanks again for spending some time with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest.

Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

Friday, May 27, 2022

Temperature 81 Degrees, Mix of Clouds and Sun, Possible Thunderstorm

Yup, We’re Alive. . .

We are still very much Alive and kicking. Or should I say Alive and running the roads.

John Cash used to sing a song that had words that went like this – I’ve been everywhere man. . .of travel I’ve had my share.

The same definitely goes for us. We’ve been traveling, exploring, sightseeing, learning, and taking in as much as we can these last few days. It’s been one big whirlwind that we have absolutely enjoyed. Proton, well he wishes we would stay home more often. Tomorrow and Sunday he will get his wish. We need to catch our breath!

So where have we been?

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Crazy Horse Memorial;

Black Hills Institute

The Mammoth Site

The CCC Museum.

Hopefully, I’ll have some blogs about each in the coming days.

But now for some local color from Hill City. We noticed this business in our past travels thru Hill City and had always wanted to stop and take a closer look. So today we did.

Hands down my favorite. If I could only find a way to haul him around the country with us in Elvira. I would love to put him out at our various sites when we stop. I’ll bet he would be a sure fire conversation starter.

And that’s all there is from Hill City!

Thanks again for spending some time with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest.

Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Temperature 62 Degrees, Sunshine and Clouds

Custer State Park, Needles Highway

This is the second scenic highway within the park that we have driven. Let me just say this is a highway like no other.

Yes, many said it was impossible to build because of the many rocky “needles” of solid granite studding the landscape. All it took was 150,000 pounds of dynamite and the road was done.

Per their literature The Needles Highway is more that a 14 mile road – it’s a spectacular drive through pine and spruce forests, meadows surrounded by birch and aspen, and rugged granite mountains.

Let’s go for a ride.

You definitely need to take your time while driving this highway. There are cliffs, tunnels, hairpin turns, and so many twists and turns that it reminds one of a snake slithering along a mountain side.

Granite abounds all along the drive.

Definitely not an RV friendly road!

You begin to get an idea why dynamite was needed!

This is what the road’s name comes from, the needle-like granite formations which are throughout this region of the park. Look hard at those spires and then think about this – people come from around the world to climb them. Not a sport for me.

For some reason when I saw these spires I thought of organ pipes. Don’t ask me why.

I wonder how long that rock will remain balanced up there.

Absolutely breathtaking.

First time through Ms. Barbara drove so that I could take pictures. However, a day later I decided I just had to drive through this tunnel so back we went for round two.

It boggles the mind to think that some of the these rocks are over two billion years old.

Like I said, some people actually come to climb these granite peaks.

A few more miles and the highway comes to an end. This is a drive that I will long remember. For the road itself. For the scenic views. Believe me I know that a few pictures can never do justice to this scenic drive. It’s a drive that you have to make for yourself. I encourage you to put it on your bucket list of must experience first hand attractions.

Thanks again for spending some time with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest.

Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Temperature 52 Degrees, Overcast, Some Small Hail

Custer State Park, Bison Center

After we left the Visitor Center the other day as you know we decided to drive the Wildlife Loop Road. Well, when you reach the halfway point you come to a new addition to the park.

This is the Custer State Park Bison Center which opened just a week ago. The brand new center is 1,400 square feet. It cost around $5 million dollars to build. The purpose of the center is straightforward: to tell the whole story of the bison herd in the park.

It is, indeed, about the bison. So, I invite you to come and learn with us about this majestic animal.

Enquiring minds want to know – which is it? Scientists prefer to call them bison because they are closely related to European bison but only distant cousins to other animals that we call buffalo, like the water buffalo. However, both names are used interchangeably at Custer State Park.

Some other interesting facts:

Males usually stand upwards of 6 feet, while females are a little shorter at 5 feet

They can run at speeds of up to 45 mph, meaning they can cover the distance of a football field in less than 5 seconds

They can turn quickly, jump over six feet, and are strong swimmers

At Custer State Park they usually live an average of 10 to 20 years. As the male ages you will often find him off by himself apart from the herd.

Even more interesting facts about bison in general.

Bison have always lived in South Dakota but were extinct in the wild by the time the Custer Game Sanctuary was formed in 1912.

So were did the Custer State Park herd come from? That’s our next topic.

Realizing that the bison was becoming extinct a few ranchers, like the Dupree Family, in the 1800’s rounded up seven bison calves and brought them back to their ranch to raise as a protected herd.

After Dupree’s death in 1898 Scotty Phillip purchased the Dupree herd saving them from slaughter. By the time Scotty Phillip died in 1911 the herd had grown to hundreds. Thirty six of this herd would become the start of the Custer State Park herd. Staff constructed 40 miles of fence to keep the bison contained with the park boundaries.

The bison thrived within the confines of the park and quickly grew to 2,400 animals. But the size of the herd continued to grow to an unmanageable size.

Each year the herd is culled during the

annual bison roundup. The goal is to maintain the herd at a level that the range can sustain. In addition at this time health checks are done on each animal.

Part of the corral complex into which the bison are herded. The roundups began in the 1920’s and at first the staff harvested animals for meat processing.

The first annual roundup with the intent to auction took place in 1965/66

Today

There you have it, a glimpse at bison in general and the management of the bison herd at Custer State Park. I found the Bison Center with its wealth of information very educational. I came away with a whole new understanding of the bison and the bison management program at Custer State Park. Again another great day since I came away able to say I definitely learned something new.

Thanks again for spending some time with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest.

Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before