Custer SD after Labor Day?

[motogoro]

South Dakota, the Badlands and Custer, post Sturgis, possible - surge...

We're trailering  out 9/10, or 9/11, to link up with an old, refound friend and his buddy.  The plan is a day in the Badlands, then a week in Custer as a home base for day rides. 

Helen is getting nervous about the - spike after Sturgis.  I'm more concerned about locals being unfriendly to travelers due to Sturgis/-.  Common sense tells me postpone this trip.  Some folks who know me, know I have very little common sense. 

Reservations can be cancelled.  However, reconnections 'delayed' may be regretted considering our advancing ages and health (heart and cancer issues). 

Anyone have a finger on the pulse of feelings towards tourists out west in these strange times?  And - spiking?

Steve M in SE WI

[Sasquatch Jim]

 Just give the finger to -.

[kballowe]

We're leaving for Yellowstone on Saturday and will tour the usual South Dakota tourist attractions on the way out.

There are a lot less people out there after Labor Day.  In fact, you may have issues finding restaurants. 
1).  Because of what is going on this year, and some even went out of business.
2).  Because much of that area simply shuts down after Labor Day.

[Ncdan]

South Dakota, the Badlands and Custer, post Sturgis, possible - surge...

We're trailering  out 9/10, or 9/11, to link up with an old, refound friend and his buddy.  The plan is a day in the Badlands, then a week in Custer as a home base for day rides. 

Helen is getting nervous about the - spike after Sturgis.  I'm more concerned about locals being unfriendly to travelers due to Sturgis/-.  Common sense tells me postpone this trip.  Some folks who know me, know I have very little common sense. 

Reservations can be cancelled.  However, reconnections 'delayed' may be regretted considering our advancing ages and health (heart and cancer issues). 

Anyone have a finger on the pulse of feelings towards tourists out west in these strange times?  And - spiking?

Steve M in SE WI

What we allow to control our lives is a personal decision, you and your wife must decide what you are comfortable with and react accordingly 👍
My wife and I went to SD a few years ago and went to the places you have mentioned. I wish I had spent a little more time at the battlefield site studying the Last Stand, a lot of mistakes were made by the General and the results were obvious in the end. Good luck and have fun if you decide to go👍

[Lannis]

"Locals" aren't going to be a problem anywhere around there.   They're just regular people; no one is going to harass or assault you while you're pumping gas, or eating in a restaurant, or checking into a motel, or touring a museum.

Unless you're part of a loud, threatening crowd, they'll be glad to have you ...

Lannis

[Tkelly]

We have been out there several times and had only positive experience with the locals.As for - ,I would try to avoid indoor gatherings but wear a mask indoors if going inside just like here.Have a great trip Steve.

[oldbike54]

 The surge is already happening .

 Since we can't seem to stay away from this topic , I have a question . Are you only worried that the locals might get mad , think about that for a moment .

 Dusty

[motogoro]

The surge is already happening .

 Since we can't seem to stay away from this topic , I have a question . Are you only worried that the locals might get mad , think about that for a moment .

 Dusty

Yes, I do have concerns about getting and spreading. 
We have been fairly careful to follow the WI "safer at home" and mask guidelines over the past 5 months. 
These travel plans were made several months ago.  Anticipation was the curve would have flattened and restrictions would ease. 
Currently, two of our preferred travel destinations are off the table due to quarantine restrictions (Chicago and Hawaii). 
By limiting contact with folks outside our group, I have hopes we can travel to outdoor sights (sites?) 

Steve M in SE WI

[Sykestone8886]

I found the locals in the black hills region to be very friendly, spent a lot of time out there riding there scenic roads.  I stayed in custer almost every trip at a place called the chief motel, nice people very clean and reasonable rates, i like there set up one level with a front porch. im itching to get back out there. if it were me id go for it. Lifes Short !!!

[Tkelly]

If you are coming this way you can both ride Deb’s bike.

[fotoguzzi]

September is the perfect time,  you'll probably get to ride/drive through a big heard a bison in the park, take a cruise in the early evening.

[Huzo]

A Custer cluster..?

[Lannis]

September is the perfect time,  you'll probably get to ride/drive through a big heard a bison in the park, take a cruise in the early evening.

We cruised Custer last September ... there were a few buffalo, well off the road, close enough to be interesting, far enough to not be a threat.

I must say that on a motorcycle, I don't know what I look like to a bison.   Do I look to a male bison like a rival for the leadership of the herd?   Do I look to a female like a threat to her calf?   Who knows, except a bison?

If one of them gets after you while you're straddling your bike, you're hosed!

Lannis

[PJPR01]

A Custer cluster..?

 

That's what Crazy Horse said! 

[Huzo]

That's what Crazy Horse said!

Well the Alamo did end up as a cluster of sorts, I guess....

[fotoguzzi]

?

If one of them gets after you while you're straddling your bike, you're hosed!

Lannis

those were my thoughts as my GoPro took that shot, it's actually a freeze frame from the video.

See it at 6:00 here On my 2010 vacation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tvRKb2yS70
He thought I was on a Harley so gave me a pass.

[kballowe]

We went thru Custer State Park last July, took the "wildlife loop" and saw two deer, a turtle, and a squirrel.

Yellowstone was another matter.   Wildlife everywhere.  July 12-14




 

[Canuck750]

About ten years ago I was crossing through Yellowstone towards Jackson at dusk, came around a bend, thankfully slowly and alone and came across a herd on the highway. I rolled to a stop and the herd just passed by me splitting to the left and right, I will never forget the humidity coming from the Bison's nostrils and there eyes being about level with the top of my knees as they silently went past me. It all lasted less than a minute or two but it felt like an hour.

To be honest I was shook up a bit  but a couple years prior I led a Scout group hiking into Elk Island National Park east of my home town here in Edmonton, Alberta. Elk Island has large herds of both plains and woods buffalo and along with a park ranger we hiked into the bush to camp for a couple nights by a remote lake. The area was a grazing plain for the woods buffalo and the ranger told us all of them in the section were male and it was not breeding season so they would be docile and as long as we did not startle them there was little danger. We set up tents and late in the evening a couple wandered past our camp to reach the lake, one of them decided to lie down in the field near us and then started digging his horns into the earth to flip dirt onto his coat, the ease which that beast tore up the ground was something to see!

[Tom]

Y'ep....Coming to Hawaii right now is not a good idea. 

[john fish]

About ten years ago I was crossing through Yellowstone towards Jackson at dusk, came around a bend, thankfully slowly and alone and came across a herd on the highway. I rolled to a stop and the herd just passed by me splitting to the left and right,

Posts like that make me want a 'Like' button.  Thanks.  Good read.

[larrys]

A Custer cluster..?

There was a TV series a few years back that was called Unsolved History. They did an analysis of the Battle of Little Bighorn. Through forensic analysis of shell casings found on the battlefield they were able to track the movements of a number of rifles through the course of the battle. They were also able to identify an area on the battlefield where Custer and his men likely made their final stand. They noted that from the numbers and types of shell casings found that the Indians had way more repeating rifles than what was thought. Interesting stuff!
Larry

[SIR REAL ED]

A Custer cluster..?

no reason to get flustered.

Avoid the human herds, enjoy the animal herds.  timeless advice!

[jim_W]

A few years ago on my Honda. I made a u-turn and waited for the road to clear. This was my second encounter, no photos of the first but it was much closer and traffic from cars, motorhomes and buffalo had me trapped . Not a good feeling.

[Ncdan]

There was a TV series a few years back that was called Unsolved History. They did an analysis of the Battle of Little Bighorn. Through forensic analysis of shell casings found on the battlefield they were able to track the movements of a number of rifles through the course of the battle. They were also able to identify an area on the battlefield where Custer and his men likely made their final stand. They noted that from the numbers and types of shell casings found that the Indians had way more repeating rifles than what was thought. Interesting stuff!
Larry

Absolutely interesting if one likes battle history and I do. I only got to spend a couple hours studying the battlefield as I was the only one in our group that was interested. After reading your post I’ll have to revise the information as it was 4 years ago when I was at the battlefield. The thing which was the most ironic for me was the over confidence and down right incompetence Custer displayed. He had Gatling guns and repeating Henery rifles that he could have utilized but decided to act like a over confident prick.

[Jim Rich]

We have spent the summer out West, mainly Utah and Idaho.  The only difficulty we have encountered is finding a spot to park our RV.  A lot of people hit the road this summer and went camping.  That problem should go away as summer ends.  People have been very welcoming, especially in smaller towns.

[Canuck750]

Many years ago when my sons were in there early teens and my wife was on summer shift work I borrowed a camper van and took my sons to see Mount Rushmore, Devils Tower and Yellowstone. I really wanted to visit Custer's last stand and enjoyed the interpretive tour. I had previously visited Cyprus Hills National park in the southern tip of Saskatchewan / Alberta on the Montana border, this is where Sitting Bull surrendered to the 'Queen' on behalf of the North West Mounted Police. Sitting Bull and his band sought sanctuary in Canada and stayed for a number of years. I may be wrong but I think Sitting Bull and his tribe eventually returned to the USA.

On a similar note the day after we visited Custer's Last Stand we visited the native museum down the road and were give an interpretive talk of the battle beginning with the events of the previous days where Custer's army had attacked the native's encampment and the ensuing battle that followed. It was very interesting to hear the other side of the story.

[LowRyter]

A few years ago on my Honda. I made a u-turn and waited for the road to clear. This was my second encounter, no photos of the first but it was much closer and traffic from cars, motorhomes and buffalo had me trapped . Not a good feeling.

It's funny.  We have a huge heard here on Okla in the Wichita Mountains.  Just honk the horn and the buffalo run away.  When I was in Custer, honking the horn didn't make them blink.  They just kept about their business. 

Even stranger was an older couple on an Electra Glide.  The rider must've gotten impatient and he decided to ride through the heard.  They got about a block ahead of me up to the next group of stopped cars.  When the heard around me cleared away I caught up with them and the on the Harley wife was really annoyed about with her husband.  I can imagine, since it scared me to see them weave through all those buffaloes.

[LowRyter]

Absolutely interesting if one likes battle history and I do. I only got to spend a couple hours studying the battlefield as I was the only one in our group that was interested. After reading your post I’ll have to revise the information as it was 4 years ago when I was at the battlefield. The thing which was the most ironic for me was the over confidence and down right incompetence Custer displayed. He had Gatling guns and repeating Henery rifles that he could have utilized but decided to act like a over confident prick.

Custer is infamous here in Okla.  He massacred  a small village of Cheyenne and Chief Black Kettle at the "'Battle' of the Washita River". 

If you remember that movie, "Little Big Man", there was a lot of Custer in it, including Washita and Little Big Horn.  Of course it was a western, a very good one, but not a documentary. 

[John Ulrich]

Steve, "pack it and go".  Absolutely no public eating/drinking indoors. Get your takeouts and find a park/table outside.   Stay outdoors when visiting with friends at there homes. 

The issue in Sturgis was as predictable as it is any town gathering place right now.  Too close together, talking louder over the music/bar...spitting out bad breath/-.  The only places being forced to shut down again are those with groups of people together.

I've had to pickup my game when hoteling.  Big difference between the low dollar places and the higher dollar names.  Some have had buzzers on the front door.... no mask, no check-in.

[fotoguzzi]

. I may be wrong but I think Sitting Bull and his tribe eventually returned to the USA.

Yep, he returned and joined the Buffalo Bill show, went to England then came back to the res where he was shot dead by another Indian (a res policeman, Bull Head) while being arrested, They thought his influence would start an uprising. Lots of good books on the subject.