Random Turkish proverb:


South Dakota: Custer State Park

Linda, the boys and I took a much needed vacation, and had a very difficult time finding a domestic destination that none of us had ever been to. I can count the number of states I have never been to on one hand, and the boys had seen about all the beeches anyone could ever want (though admittedly I could stand to see some more of Linda at the beach). A friend and colleague gave me the idea of South Dakota, and to date it is possibly the best vacation we have ever had.

Our first stop was Custer State Park, where you can observe the buffalo, and then, if you're so inclined, eat them in a fantastic restaurant. We found the people to be as friendly as Midwesterners, and the scenery just breathtaking. In this part one of a four part post, I am sharing some of the many photos we took at the park. I truly hope you get a chance to visit someday - I know you will enjoy it.

Ethan overlooking park
Ethan overlooking park
Devin overlooking park
Devin overlooking park
Some kind of cactus?
Some kind of cactus?
Devin feeds the donkeys
Devin feeds the donkeys
Ethan petting the donkey
Ethan petting the donkey
A spot of shade
A spot of shade
What’s in your pocket?
What’s in your pocket?
Boys with donkey
Boys with donkey
Ethan with donkey
Ethan with donkey
Devin with donkey
Devin with donkey
Ethan’s favorite
Ethan’s favorite
Ethan’s favorite
Ethan’s favorite
Lone donkey
Lone donkey
Devin with Shaggy
Devin with Shaggy
Devin feeding donkey
Devin feeding donkey
Baby donkey
Baby donkey
Scratchy
Scratchy
Scratchy
Scratchy
Scratchy
Scratchy
Scratchy
Scratchy
Scratchy
Scratchy
Scratchy
Scratchy
Scratchy
Scratchy
Jenny wonders off
Jenny wonders off
First buffalo in South Dakota
First buffalo in South Dakota
Pronghorn antelopes
Pronghorn antelopes
Pronghorn antelopes
Pronghorn antelopes
Pronghorn antelopes
Pronghorn antelopes
Pronghorn antelopes
Pronghorn antelopes
Thunderhead forming
Thunderhead forming
Storm forming
Storm forming
Thunderhead forming
Thunderhead forming
Thunderhead forming behind buffalo
Thunderhead forming behind buffalo
Buffalo escorting calves
Buffalo escorting calves
Buffalo escorting calves
Buffalo escorting calves
Buffalo escorting calves
Buffalo escorting calves
Buffalo calf
Buffalo calf
Buffalo at watering hole
Buffalo at watering hole
So many buffalo burgers...
So many buffalo burgers...
Risky buffalo shot
Risky buffalo shot
So many...
So many...
Coming right at us
Coming right at us
Buffalo
Buffalo
Wild horses
Wild horses


During the trip, Ethan became fascinated with the pioneers, and we all learned quite a bit about our Nation's early settlers, and the Native Americans for which the states we traveled in were named. Some of it is tragic, for example I was unaware that the Lakota Indians were originally from my neck of the woods, but were forced west by European settlers. If you have kids of your own, I encourage you to read to them or get them some books on early America's pioneers and Native Americans. You may learn a thing or two yourself.

Continue to Part 2, Mount Rushmore»



Click on the "See the photos" links to see the different albums, then click on a photo. You can use the arrow keys or mouse over the photo to navigate in an album once you have any photo open.

You can also find more photos of the family and our escapades in the Photography Category of the primary blog as well.