Black Hills National Forest

on the Needles Highway

Sylvan Lake near Custer State Park

If you're staying in the Black Hills, leave time for a hike to Harney Peak in the Black Elk Wilderness. There's a lookout tower at the top with spectacular views. This shot was taken on the way up. Note: the trail can be a bit rugged.

Minuteman Missile

We stopped by this national historic site off I-90 on our way to the Black Hills. It brought to mind the 1988 film "Miracle Mile." If you've seen it, you know what I'm talking about.

From desertscape to prairie lands

Vista near the north entrance to the park.

Prairie lands on the Castle Trail. This trail is 6 miles one-way. It begins on either side with a rocky, desert landscape. I believe the temp was in the 70s during this hike. It felt like the high 80s. Bring plenty of water. No sign of rattlers, but we did see a lengthy bull snake.

I think this trail began across the road from the Castle Trail's southern point. Near the southeast entrance of the Bandlands.

The Badlands

It's going to be a while 'til we hit another national park. In the meantime, I'll recap our trip to South Dakota in June '08. Why South Dakota? It's one of those states with spectacularly diverse terrain. Badlands National Park is a good place to start. Anyone driving from Rapid City should stop by Wall Drug. Just because it's there.

South of the famed signage-crazed complex, Highway 240 winds through prairie dog towns, endless green prairies, and fantastic jagged orange and grey buttes. (see blog header) We stayed at Cedar Pass Lodge in one of the little cabins. Highly recommended. There's nothing like waking up to a sunrise over the Badlands. (caution: The food at the restaurant is, you got it, "bad.")

From Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary to Flamingo

Naturefreak on Tripadvisor recommended that we start our Everglades sojourn at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Operated by The Audobon Society, the swamp eased us into the varied ecosystem of the area. Trees included slash pines, sable palms, and bald cypress. We were fortunate, the first bird we spotted was the multi-hued painted bunting. Further down the boardwalk we spied a great egret hiding in the tall grasses. Red-shouldered hawks flew overhead and anhingas complained noisily. Also glimpsed a black-crowned night heron.

Stopped at the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge en route to Everglades City. We were somewhat relieved that we didn't actually run into a panther. One couple avoided the trail altogether, clearly spooked by the loneliness of the setting. The church pictured is from Everglades City. We took a nice little tour of the Ten Thousand Islands. Watched a trio of bottle-nose dolphins splashing in the bay. Spun by H.P. Williams Roadside Park for our first close encounter with American alligators. Took in some strangler figs on the Big Cypress Bend/Fakahatchee Strand nature trail, a bald eagle, and a hawk diving for prey.

Had a great Mediterranean-esque dinner at Camelia's after getting caught in a downpour. Dave sang along to Buck Owens and Patsy Cline tunes while a man played guitar accompanied by the fine songstress who owned the joint.

Everglades February 2009

When I told Vicki we were going to the Everglades she asked, "The ones in Alaska?" It's not the first spot that comes to mind for a winter getaway. But Dave seemed set on it. And I was eager to go toe-to-toe with some alligators after our jaunt to the wildlife refuge during the Mets spring training last year. The gators did not disappoint. The wood storks, great blue herons, and roseate spoonbills weren't too shabby either.