Wind Cave National Park
May 25th, our third day in South Dakota, we headed to Wind Cave National Park. This was not on our original list of things we had planned, but I glad we added it.
Dirt Roads
We left early for Wind Cave National Park due to the fact we had not purchased tickets ahead of time. The park was an hour south of Rapid City. When we arrived, there was already a line outside the door waiting. I’m not sure which route Travis chose, but we hit a few dirt roads on the way. I wonder if the tire tracks in the picture below were created by someone trying to avoid bison in the road. The bison seemed to pop up around every turn.
Tickets Purchased
Upon arrival, there was already a line outside the door waiting. The doors opened at 8:00 and by the time we got to the front desk to purchase tickets, the next available tour was at 10:00. We chose the Natural Entrance Tour. The tour distance was 1/2 mile with about 300 stairs on the tour.
Prairie Vista Trail
The Prairie Vista Trail was as short loop trail that was on the surface of the Wind Cave National Park. Since it started and ended at the visitor center, we chose to do it before the cave tour. We had the trail to ourselves and the weather was still cool and beautiful.
We walked past the gravestone of Alvin McDonald. This young boy single – handedly explored and mapped a huge portion of the cave between the ages of 16 and 20. We learned later in our tour that he would spend as much as 12 hours a day in the cave exploring, using only a string and candle. McDonald died of typhoid fever at the age of 20.
Wind Cave Map
This map shows the cave below the surface. The caves are 3 dimensional and it was reported that on average, 2 miles are surveyed annually. It is estimated over 3,000 leads, or unexplored openings, remain to be checked. Studies of airflow through the entrances reveal that potentially only 10% of the cave has been found.
Natural Entrance
Today, more than 164 miles of explored passages make Wind Cave one of the world’s 10 longest caves. Because the cave is relatively dry, it contains few of the stalactites and stalagmites you see in other caves. We learned that it has many unusual mineral formations, including perhaps the world’s best collection of boxwork, a calcite formation resembling irregular honeycombs. It’s most distinctive feature may be the strong winds that alternately rush in and out of its mouth, equalizing air pressure between the passages inside and the atmosphere outside, and causing the noise the Binghams who first discovered the cave heard. This is the hole that was discovered and you can feel the wind direction change as the air pressure changes. It was pretty steady the day we were there.
Not Sure Becky is Ready for This
Becky’s facial expressions were hilarious as she walked through the cave and listened to the guide. I did get permission from her before using them.
654 Feet Underground
Walking down 654 feet underground, our guide did the whole ‘turn the lights off and show us how dark’ it was when they were first exploring. Can I just say, “NOT ME!”
Hotsprings
After we completed our cave tour we loaded back up and headed 7 miles south to Hot Springs. We arrived at noon in Hot Springs, but didn’t really have a lunch destination in mind. The area along the water was under construction and was not good for tourism. I just took “drive by” pictures. We learned through conversation with locals that the construction had been going on longer than they had anticipated. They did not have a reported end date in sight.
Springs Coffee
Lunch ended up being at an outside cafe called Springs Coffee. I chose a burrito bowl and added jalapenos. Kenny, Becky and Travis chose nachos. We were all pleased with our choices.
Kidney Springs Gazebo
While we were eating, we observed many people parking in the road by Springs Coffee and walking a short distance across the road with empty containers. They were filling them with water at the Kidney Springs. We each took our water bottles and filled them up as well. The water rushes out, so it takes no time to fill even large containers with clean refreshing water. I’m not real sure about the green stuff growing just down the way in the waterfall but it was pretty to look at.
Pioneer Museum
This turned out to be the BEST FIND in Hot Springs. Maybe I just thought so because I work in the educational field and I like old stuff, and it was BOTH. The Pioneer Museum was first a public school building built in 1893. It was used as a school until 1961. The picture below gives very interesting details about the cost to build and other cool facts.
Check out the cool spiral fire escapes on each side of the building.
Neat Old Stuff to Touch
As we entered the museum, we were encouraged to pick things up and touch them if we wanted to. Becky was going to check her mail and almost turned the mail boxes over. We were a little more careful with touching after that. I asked if I needed to leave my drink outside and was told, “No honey, we are not that tight around here. Just take it with you.”
Dress Up Time
I enjoyed playing around with them but it would take a bit to get used to it if I HAD to wear them all the time.
Playground Fun
The merry-go-round actually works. It made lots of noise and took lots of effort from Travis, but we gave it a whirl.
The Mammoth Site
The Mammoth Site was only about 5 minutes from the Museum. Another entry fee but it was worth it. There is so much to tell about this place. https://mammothsite.org/history/ Take a few minutes to just read a part of the history of this place.
Size Does Matter
Amazing Find
This building was built over the area that was discovered. Such tedious work in still ongoing as they study and continue to make discoveries. You could walk around the top rim and look into the excavation sight and watch them work.
I may still order this shirt!
The elements were just right for this animal to stay this way after it died until it was discovered.
Bison Flats
After we left Hot Springs and the Mammoth Site, we traveled back by Wind Cave and across the Bison Flats. We just drove through, but there are long trails that you can walk along the flat prairie. I am not sure I would want to be that far from my car with so many bison wandering the trails. I was able to take close up pictures from my car window.
Rankin Ridge Trail
The Rankin Ridge Trail is a nice scenic 1 mile loop trail that gaines 230 feet in elevation and takes you to the highest point in the Wind Cave National Park. It is said that on a clear day you can see as far as the Badlands as you look out over the prairie of Wind Cave NP. There is a fire tower at the highest point that is closed but made a great place to take a group picture.
Backcountry Roads and Wildlife Loop
They weren’t kidding about backroads. We only passed 2 cars the whole way. It is advised not to take this road if it is raining as it gets very slick. We were anticipating seeing more wildlife but only saw lots of prairie dogs. I think Becky talked to most of them when possible. This one little fellow was not moving out of the road.
At the visitor center, Travis and I changed seats so he could rest and I drove. So…there are no pictures until I stopped driving back in Rapid City.
Sickies AGAIN for the win!
We enjoyed Sickies Garage so much the first time and saw other foods we wanted to try. On the second trip Travis and I had wings and seasoned fries. Kenny and Becky shared that monster burger.
Our day ended with us back at the hotel by 8:00 p.m. It was a fun filled day and we saw and experienced so much. Now for some much needed rest before hitting the roads again tomorrow.
