Dances with Wolves Buffalo

Dear BCs,

So I'm not the only one traveling this break! Taj to Detroit and Tasha and Eshaya heading for DC! Quite a surprise, huh? I read your post [below] and I agree with everything you wrote. Like you, I didn't see this one coming. But what I have seen since I last wrote you is a lot of great stuff -- the Black Hills of South Dakota, Deadwood (the town, not the HBO series [though I did love that show]), antelope, wild burros, and coolest of all, buffalo . . . lots of buffalo!

I sure have seen some amazing wildlife on this vacation! Like the elk, buffalo (or, to be more accurate, bison) are very impressive animals. Large, independent, but also dangerous if you don't respect their space. The guides in Custer State Park warned us to stay in our vehicles and never, ever get close to the buffalo. They say if you come between a mother and her calf, Custer could be your last stand.

Of course, some tourists ignore the advice of the guides and get up close and personal with the wildlife despite the risk. I'm sure the BCs agree with me that park visitors should always behave responsibly while enjoying our country's wonderful parks.

Well, I have another busy day tomorrow, but before I sign off, I'd like to share with you something unexpected I spotted on my brief drive through Rapid City, SD this morning -- a piece of the Berlin Wall! Right here in South Dakota! At the time, I thought that would be the biggest surprise of the day, but that was before I learned about the Taj trade! You know, after seeing that piece of the Wall, it occurred to me that Rapid City's enshrinement of Communist Bloc memorabilia might explain why a famous daughter of that South Dakota community is now a Russian Olympian! (BTW, I shouldn't say this, but after seeing Rapid City, I'd seriously consider applying for Russian citizenship too, if it helped get me out of town!)

Best, Petey

Photo Credits: Traveling Panda Photos, Inc.