Day 5

After four days on the road, we finally changed our clothes. G3 was very happy. He is by far more civilized than I.

This morning on our drive to the Black Hills, G3 started reading Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie, his favorite author. He is still reading The Martian. Unlike me, who gets completely confused if I read two books flip flopping between them, G3 often has two going at once. I am so glad he enjoys reading. While he has complained a great deal on this trip, he hasn’t once complained about the long car ride.

On the way to Elk Mountain Campground we stopped to watch a herd of bison cross the street. Kati and G3 were both excited to see them. It was kinda cool, certainly not something you’d see in New Jersey.

We were a bit concerned about finding a campsite on July 4 but there were plenty of vacant sites for us to choose from. We even got the best, most removed site. I think luck was finally on my side — or maybe Dad was looking out for us.

We ate lunch in Custer at Subway, one of G3’s favorite fast food places. In the twenty minute it took us to eat we were bombarded with patriotic music. The locals were dressed in red, white, and blue wearing shirts that said “Freedom is not Free.” While we ate, my son mumbled to me, “Don’t say anything. I don’t want to die.” It’s the 4th of July, a holiday that should unite us, but I felt more like it emphasized the fact that in some ways we are in hostile territory.

We went hiking in Custer State Park. It is beautiful, one of the prettier state parks I have been to. G3 and I hiked the Lover’s Leap trail, a four mile loop with a couple of pretty views. Kati started the hike with us but she turned back when she started to melt. I can’t blame her. It was 90 degrees.

G3 was disappointed we didn’t see any wildlife. However, he was very happy to see three pronghorns as we were leaving the park along with a bison taking a stroll on the road.

After our hike in 90 degree weather we headed over to Wind Cave National Park where the temperature in the cave was in the 50s. The cave is significant to the Lakota people because they believe the cave is where their people emerged from. The cave represents the inside of a bison and when the people first emerged they discovered the Black Hills which resemble a bison lying down. This is in part why the bison and the Black Hills are so important to them. So first the white people steal their land and now the government responsible for stealing their land charges people to see the cave so they can make money. The money should go to the Lakota people. But that’s just my cynical opinion.

The cave tour was fun. G3 really enjoy it. He especially liked learning the since behind the cave formation. He even compared being in the cave to Journey to the Center of the Earth and made several references about the characters and plot.

Recently, G3 noticed new freckles on his arm. When he looked closer he realized they resemble the constellation Cancer. This is significant and important to him because his grandfather’s birthday was in July making him a Cancer.