You can see from the page for Lauren's 60th birthday that I was in South Dakota. Here is the rest of the story.
Friday, May 21, 2021
Matthew and I drove up in his car while Leslie took my car. After South Dakota Leslie and I will be going to Dubois, Wyoming, so Matthew will drive back to Colorado in his car. I joined Matthew on the way up to South Dakota so we could have some quality father & son time - and it was.
Leslie in my car in front of us and in the fog.
The first thing we discovered was that it was very foggy in Custer South Dakota.
The plan was to check into our hotel, join Lauren, Derek and others for dinner, and then go checkout Mount Rushmore in the dark.
Matthew, Lauren and me
Lauren and Derek met us at Mount Rushmore, but it was so foggy and rainy that they took off. Matthew, Leslie and I decided to hang out and explore the Presidential Trail, and see if the evening gets any better.
There were times of clearing, and it was pretty cool so see the presidents faces lit up and close up.
While on the Presidents Trail I looked back to see where the lights were coming from. Pretty cool view in that direction.
The next morning several of us planned to meet and hike the Cathedral Spires Trail
Saturday, May 22, 2021
Lauren, Me, Sandy at the Trailhead.
The fog was still with us.
Lauren, Derek, Sandy, Chris, Matthew, Terry, Leslie
The second half of the trail is spectacular.
The group went back the way we came. Matthew, Leslie and I decided to take a detour - from Cathedral Spires to Little Devils Tower and down to Sylvan Lake to get Matthew's car and go pick up my car at the original trailhead.
We encountered Bob the Gatekeeper near the Peak of Little Devil's Tower.
It was really cool at the top, though it was a very foggy day, so I am sure we didn't see as much as we would on a clear day.
At Little Devil's Tower Peak
We had a beautiful hike down to Sylvan Lake
Little Devil's Tower from a distance.
Sylvan Lake
That evening we had a campfire dinner - a burrito bar and hobo cakes for dessert. Before dinner we played some horseshoes, and after dinner we took turns offering reflection on those we lost recently, and in the past.
Sunday, May 23, 2021 (Lauren's Birthday)
On Sunday we went to check out the Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park. Matthew, Leslie and I drove around exploring. When we got to Fisherman's Flat we got a quick glimpse of some buffalo, and we took a beautiful hike down to French Creek.
And that evening we celebrated Lauren's Birthday.
Monday, May 24, 2021
We packed up in the morning. Matthew drove back to Colorado, and Leslie and I went to Dubois, Wyoming