Driving the loop to Rt 87 and back is at least a 30 mile round trip. The landscape is gorgeous rolling prairie grass hills and scattered forests. We had the road to ourselves. The rising sun was our constant companion, ever changing the color of the sky and landscape like a painter trying to entice us deeper and deeper into their fantasy. The sun threw out star bursts as it tried to climb above the earth while the opposing hills took on a radiance reflecting the golden grasses.
The beauty of the dawn was enough to please but the Wildlife Loop did not disappoint. We saw Buffalo, Pronghorns, Mule Deer and Turkeys.
We stopped for breakfast at the Blue Bell Lodge. They say the Blue Bell Lodge is as comfortable as an old pair of blue jeans ...and it was. It's a beautiful log lodge, western style with field stone fireplaces, smooth logs and finished woods, well taken care of and polished. The interior shone in the morning light. We're up so early Molly & I have the place to ourselves. The food is good. Sausage, eggs and coffee. I can't resist sitting at the bar before we leave because the bar stools are horse saddles. :) Giddy up.
As we round the last bend in Rt 16A to get back to the State Game Lodge we encounter a huge surprise. The Buffalo herd has migrated into the State Game Lodge area and they are everywhere!
Back at the lodge it's time to get the boys out of bed. Today we tour the Black Hills!
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