Troutbirder II

Troutbirder II
Click on Mark Twain to jump to Troutbirders book review blog

Monday, October 7, 2013

The Black Hills (Part I)


Early September found the Troutbirders and their friends Gary and Rosie heading off to the Black Hills of South Dakota for camping. We drove west beside the soy bean and cornfields of southwestern Minnesota and eastern South Dakota.   Crossing the Missouri River at Chamberlain S.D. we usually see a more “western” perspective.
 It's rolling hills, grasslands with sagebrush and a few scattered ranches.  Often, even in July, the prairie has already turned brown.  Not this year. It was still green in September and there were even scattered fields of sunflowers, sorghum and corn. The Black Hills themselves were more spectacular than ever……    Come on along and take a look.
 
The Troutbirders at beautiful Sylvan Lake.
Checking out a local motel.
It was a little crowded for four. Just kidding. Actually, it was the first stockade settlement in the Black Hills. 
Y
This is our actual abode/  It is a Coyote Ultralite camper.  We stayed at Custer Mountain Campground near Custer, South Dakota. 
The view from the campground.
Bismarck Lake dam.
Bismarck Lake.    
The hills were alive
and the Ponderosa Pines gorgeous. We did some hiking and touring enjoying the vistas, the birds and the wildlife. That next in Part II.....
 
 
 

25 comments:

  1. Beautiful, TB. I have never been to the Black Hills, so this was a nice adventure for me. And thanks for the pictures of you and the missus. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've been to the Black Hills, but never to camp. You saw some wonderful scenery and views!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I was in The Black Hills as a child. Such a beautiful place!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Very pretty. I love the rocks around the lake. Glad you had a different "view" of it--all green and growing. It has been an odd year.....

    ReplyDelete
  5. That looks like an absolutely wonderful place to be !

    ReplyDelete
  6. Gorgeous! I would love to see it in person.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would like to see that sometime. It all looks entirely different from any area I've ever seen - the rock formations and the pine forest. Of course we have pines down here but there's always a huge amount of undergrowth and the limbs begin much closer to the ground.

    ReplyDelete
  8. "One of these days"...we've never been to the Black Hills. Looks like a terrific fall destination. I love camping, perhaps we will get to South Dakota (my husband has never been to either Dakota...being the last 2 states he has yet to visit).

    ReplyDelete
  9. Nice adventure, we have not been that way in many years. Sylvan Lake is a favorite stop..oh and Wall Drug:)

    ReplyDelete
  10. such gorgeous pics!! would love to wake up to scenery like that!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Beautiful photos. You guys sure know the places to go.

    ReplyDelete
  12. The Black Hill are a very much overlooked area for scenery and history. I'm glad you had a good trip.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I have never seen the Black Hills either. When I was a kid, my family just wasn't the vacationing kind, I guess. I love the huge rocks around the lake in one of your earlier pics and just might try to get their one day!

    Cheers,

    Jo and the Petz

    ReplyDelete
  14. Our family loved the Black Hills, the Badlands, and Custer St. Park.
    The Needles Highway & Spearfish Canyon were also memorable points in that trip for us.
    It's been over 7 years.. I think we're due for a return soon!
    Great Sylvan Lake shot of you & Mrs. T!

    ReplyDelete
  15. That's beautiful and still so green!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I too love that area and have enjoyed a few camping/birding trips there. It is always fun to travel, especially as a back-seat reader.

    All joys,

    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a nice view....would never tire of that. Love your camper; so cute!

    ReplyDelete
  18. You and your wife enjoy the natural world as I do. Your camper is wonderful for camping in nature. The advantage of retirement -- doing what you want to do!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Aren't you glad you weren't at the Black Hills recently --after all of that snow?????? ha ha

    We had our photos at Sylvan Lake also---almost in the same place. We love that area of the country and hope to go back sometime.

    Gorgeous photos.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  20. A dream vacation. That really nice camper is pretty nice too.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I've been to the Black Hills several times and love this area -- still so rugged and beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I had no idea that the Black Hills offered such interesting scenery! Thanks for the tour.

    ReplyDelete
  23. It is a beautiful area. I appreciate seeing the sights that you shared.

    ReplyDelete
  24. September and May are the best months to visit the Hills! The weather is usually decent but the crowds are thin so you can actually enjoy the place. May is great cause everything is fresh after a winter cleansing and not trampled by the tourist yet. I need to get back there before I'm too old to enjoy it.

    ReplyDelete