Day 3

  The bed was heavenly soft and we slept wonderfully.  The cabin had electric floor board heaters and we were worried as they didn't work and it was suppose to be in the 40's but it was cozy and warm in the cabin.  All that thick wood.  We both went to bed really early and got up at 6.  Sitting on the dock sipping our coffee we watched the sun come up.  Then breakfast.  Eggs, bacon, potatoes and OJ.  Then while Rick fixed things in the cabin I relaxed on the deck and smelled the wonderful fresh smells and views.



  A small squirrel made a big noise chattering at me.



    Later in the day we drove to the Custer bike trail head and then to Hill City to see where it came out.  We saw the road often along side the road and I could see what was in store for me.   Lots of uphill and lots of pedaling.  I wish I had trained more.  I can't talk Rick into starting on top and just enjoying a downhill trip.





   I had been wanted a new leather purse so we drove into KeyStone and shopped.  Very touristy town.  Since the big Sturgis bike thing was over everything was on sale and I got a great leather purse, a leather wallet, 2 silver necklaces and a necklace.  Oh and a really neat battery crystal spinning thing.  So pretty.



   After leaving Keystone we went up the scary mountains roads to see the views.  I have a terrible fear of heights but it seems to be worse these days.  I actually get sick to my stomach when I try to get close to the edge and dizzy.   I went way over to the edge to get this one picture and just froze in place.   My heart pounding and hyperventilating I was mad at myself for this reaction.   My feet were firmly planted on the ground.  What did I think was going to happen?  Rick helped me over the rail and broke the spell.










 We then drove through Custer State Park.  It is so pretty there.  No telephone lines, in fact no lines, no fences, no touristy stuff.   Just soft rolling hills reminding you of Dances with wolfs. Prairie dogs, red rock. 


   The prairie dogs have some sort of plaque in the black hills right now so we stayed away from them.  I found out some interesting facts about them.  Did you know they don't drink water.  They get all the moisture they need from what they eat.  So when tourists feed them food that isn't on their diets it can give them more salt then they need and they get dehydrated and can die.  There is a good reason they don't want you to feed them but it doesn't stop alot of the tourists.  Sad.

      Back to the cabin Rick grilled steaks and I made sweet potatoes and broccoli plus we heated some great bread.  We sat out on the deck and ate and shared wine.   We had a good jazz CD on.  Life was good.  We saw a mother deer and her 3 babies.  Some turkeys.  A good day.

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