Wildlife Loop Sunset Ride

I became aware of a new term on this trip. 

"Touron" is a derogatory term used to describe tourists who act foolishly while on vacation.

Tourists in Custer want to see the buffalo.  And there are signs everywhere. "Do Not Approach."

One of the attractions at Custer State Park is the Wildlife Loop Road.  A 17-mile loop (with interior roads) where you are likely to see buffalo, deer, antelope, big horn sheep, etc, in a natural setting.  People drive the loop in hopes of seeing the wildlife.  The herd moves and the rangers track them.  At the visitors center, they actually have a map showing where the buffalo herd will likely be found. But "Do Not Approach."

We wanted to do the Wildlife Loop, but on our bikes.  If we found the buffalo, we'd just keep our distance.

We were still feeling our hike up Black Elk Peak yesterday, so we rested in the afternoon and went for our Wildlife Loop bike ride in the evening. 

The buffalo were not where they were supposed to be.  At least not according to the map at the visitors center. But we saw some antelope and a few deer.

We kept riding, and we saw 1 buffalo in the distance.  We were looking for the herd - about 350 of them.  Then we saw a group of about 40.  Again, far in the distance.

We had gone out just before sunset, expecting that our chances might be good to find them as they moved at sunset.

As we rode further, we got to a turnaround point.  The sun was setting... but....Just one more hill, one more turn, we said. 

Then the payoff. After that last hill and that last turn,  just as we had hoped, we found the herd migrating from one field to another, crossing the road in the process.  Crossing between 2 trucks stopped on the side of the road about 40 feet between them.

Yes, we kept our distance and yet got a fabulous view.

But there was one Touron.  He got out his truck and stood in the road.  Not just in the road, but in the path of a herd of buffalo.  In the path between the 2 trucks 40' apart. I guess maybe there needed to be 1 more sign.

A jeep tour guide passed by us and paused to mention that we had done it right.

It was fun to watch the buffalo, but then we headed back.  We got more great views of the antelope.  There were a few that were feeding just on the edge of the road.  Truly enjoyable.

The best view of the day was not the buffalo but of the antelope.  One in specific. 

There was a group of the antelope near the road, and another smaller group up on a ridge.  Suddenly, a fawn comes running down the ridge to his momma.   It was feeding time.  She nursed him.  It was an awesome view.

We never know what we are going to see.  We find fun in whatever comes our way.Baca lagi