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Heading East

  • cherylmccutcheon19
  • Jun 12
  • 2 min read

6/8/25 - After talking with somebody in Idaho, we decided to take a north-then-east route versus reversing our path through Wyoming. We loved this decision!! We drove north from Rexburg, Idaho, along the western boundary of Yellowstone NP in Montana, and then east in Montana. We saw beautiful mountains, rivers, and two moose, instead of boring plains (sorry WY!).

The Gallatin River in Montana.  We saw several kayakers/rafters.
The Gallatin River in Montana. We saw several kayakers/rafters.
When we stopped to look at the river, Pat found a skeleton
When we stopped to look at the river, Pat found a skeleton

We spent the night in Billings, Montana.


6/9/25 - When we drove out of Billings, we saw two huge oil refineries and another one as we drove southeast through northeast Wyoming.

Pretty rolling hills and Cloud Peak in the distance (on the edge of Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming)
Pretty rolling hills and Cloud Peak in the distance (on the edge of Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming)

We finished another season of Deep Cover. We are very grateful for interesting podcasts like this to reduce driving boredom!!

Shortly after crossing into South Dakota, we returned to one of our favorite areas from last summer...the town of Custer and Big Pine Campground.

The view from our spot, right on the edge of Black Hills National Forest
The view from our spot, right on the edge of Black Hills National Forest

Pat made us steaks and then we went for a walk around the campground...periodically dodging falling pinecones!


6/10/25 - We repeated a favorite hike from last summer: an 8 mile, 1700 ft elevation hike in Custer State Park to visit the Black Elk Peak Lookout.

We hiked to this structure
We hiked to this structure
We made it!!  This fire lookout was built by the CCC in 1939 and at 7242 ft, is the highest point between the Rockies and the Pyrenees in Europe.
We made it!! This fire lookout was built by the CCC in 1939 and at 7242 ft, is the highest point between the Rockies and the Pyrenees in Europe.
Great view for our picnic lunch!
Great view for our picnic lunch!
This chipmunk stopped by as soon as I opened my bag of almonds!
This chipmunk stopped by as soon as I opened my bag of almonds!

After our hike, we left Custer State Park via the Needles Highway.

Needles Highway is named after the needle-like granite formations.  This picture shows the 8'4" wide Needles Eye Tunnel.
Needles Highway is named after the needle-like granite formations. This picture shows the 8'4" wide Needles Eye Tunnel.

6/11/25 - We drove about 30 minutes south to Wind Cave National Park.

We did the Fairgrounds Tour, which is a TINY portion of the 168 miles of explored cave passageways.  Wind Cave is the 6th longest cave in the world.
We did the Fairgrounds Tour, which is a TINY portion of the 168 miles of explored cave passageways. Wind Cave is the 6th longest cave in the world.
Pat and I have done several cave tours but Wind Cave is the first one where we've seen "boxwork" all over the place.  It is a honeycomb pattern made of thin blades of calcite.
Pat and I have done several cave tours but Wind Cave is the first one where we've seen "boxwork" all over the place. It is a honeycomb pattern made of thin blades of calcite.
On the way out, we stopped by the Prairie Dog Town
On the way out, we stopped by the Prairie Dog Town

In the afternoon, we mountain-biked in the National Forest next to our campground. It was very peaceful and we saw some white-tailed deer at the end.

Smiling despite the hills!!
Smiling despite the hills!!

After a bit of relaxing outside, we got online to play euchre with Jerry and Lori Harmann in Green Bay, WI.


6/12/25 - We repeated our bike...but it was tough because our legs were TIRED between the recent hike and bike! The rest of the day was chores and a bit of relaxing. We have a 10-hour drive on 6/13/25 to visit Arizona friends in Grand Forks, North Dakota.


 
 
 

3 Comments


beckkole
6 days ago

Great pictures. Beautiful scenery. I didn't know you guys were stein holding athletes. Years of practice to develop that talent. 😀

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bobdelena
Jun 14

I just got caught up on all of your posts to date. What a great adventure - beautiful scenery, half marathons and fun activities. Looking forward to some more posts. Bob D

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jen
Jun 13

What KIND of skeleton did Pat find?! Haha! That cave was so cool! I’ve never seen that before! Hope you’re in Grand Forks by now! Thanks for sharing your adventures!

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