Wind Cave

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Early this morning Tommy and I drove Kyle into Rapid City Airport and said good bye. We wont see him again until we get home. We had a really great week with him and I miss him already! It went so fast!!!

Yesterday we went to Wind Cave National Park. It is the first cave that is actually a National Park. There are three layers to this cave and is the 4th largest cave in the world. It has over 1300 miles of spelunking enjoyment. Kyle wanted to spelunk but it was a 4 hour tour and to be honest? I have no idea how you can fit in some of these holes. This was the first cave he was in and he was impressed.

We did the one hour tour, walking, and it was on the first level. 250 feet below the earths surface. It is called the Wind Cave because the opening hole that was discovered by Alvin McDonald, has wind blowing in and out of it constantly. Sometimes the winds can be as high as 70 mph. Yesterday they were 6 mph.

The Lakota Sioux Indians believe the buffalo came from this wind hole and still, to this day, celebrate certain ceremonies around the original hole.

In the park on the way out we came across some Buffalo crossing the street, and some Antelope. One of the Antelope had a collar on which meant it was being tracked and counted. They are really docile animals and come very very close to you. But the buffalo are not! They are mean and will charge without notice. The best part of seeing the animals roaming free were the Prairie Dogs. They looked so much like Flower. (Meerkat Manor). We pulled over and watched them pop in and out and visit each other for about 20 minutes. Too, too cute!

Last night we had another fire. We were told by several people, several times that you can take a piece of copper tubing and put a lawn hose inside  and to put in our fire. Drill a couple of  holes in the copper tubing.

Well, we finally tried it. Its is so cool. The colors are incredible. Go to True Value, or where ever, and get a 1 inch piece of copper and cut a hose to fit the length. You will love it!

In about an hour Tommy and I are heading back into Sturgis. We are taking the Polaris so we can get around alot easier. They have some kind of dirt bike climb up this mountain and its supposed to be alot of fun to watch. I am bringing the video with me.

Tomorrow  we pull out of here and I think head toward Colorado via Wyoming. Not sure, I'm just the passenger.

Have a good day, and thanks for reading.