South Dakota Day #4
Wednesday, October 21, 2021
Day #4 started with heavily overcast skies and an early fall snowstorm then ended with a bright sunny blue sky. Custer State Park with a dusting of snow.
Fujifilm X-Pro3 23mm, 1/250 sec, f/5.6, ISO 160
The park takes on an entirely new look with a dusting of snow.
Fujifilm X-Pro3 23mm, 1/210 sec, f/5.6, ISO 160
The fall colors and the dusting of snow make for a nice contrast.
Fujifilm X-Pro3 23mm, 1/160 sec, f/5.6, ISO 160
While walking the path along Highway 16A we came across this group of bighorn sheep.
Fujifilm X-Pro3 23mm, 1/500 sec, f/5.6, ISO 160
Somebody took the time to balance these rocks along the path. It made for an interesting photo with the fresh snow.
Fujifilm X-Pro3 23mm, 1/600 sec, f/2.8, ISO 160
The Game Lodge Campground has a cute little non-denominational chapel.
Fujifilm X-Pro3 23mm, 1/950 sec, f/3.6, ISO 160
Traveling south on Highway 87 toward Hot Springs, SD we came across a herd of bison. They were quite intent on licking the salt off the road and didn’t seem to care that they were holding up traffic.
Fujifilm X-Pro3 23mm, 1/110 sec, f/5.6, ISO 160
As we drove by, they started to approach our car and began licking the road salt off our vehicle. Our CR-V became a giant bison salt-lick. At first, it was a bit disconcerting, but once we realized what they wanted, we just sat back and enjoyed the show.
Fujifilm X-Pro3 23mm, 1/220 sec, f/5.6, ISO 160
While its mother enjoyed licking our car this little guy came over to say hi.
Fujifilm X-Pro3 23mm, 1/80 sec, f/5.6, ISO 2500
One final bison photo, just because they are that impressive up close.
Fujifilm X-Pro3 23mm, 1/80 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200
The Evans Hotel in Hot Springs, SD.
“The site of Hot Springs was occupied before white men ever came to the area by tribal people for the ‘curative’ benefits of the mineral springs. The constant 87-98 degree waters became the basis for the thriving resort town. Numerous bathhouses, sanitariums and luxurious hotels were built to host the thousands of people visiting to bathe in or drink from the warm springs. One of the men, a leading entrepreneur of the time who helped to build the town and ensure its growth was Fred T. Evans. In 1891-92 Mr. Evans built the Evans Hotel, the grand five-story structure that still stands as a centerpiece in town. The hotel had furnishings imported from Europe, electric lights, and warm water piped in for steam heat and baths. On the grounds were golf links, tennis courts and bathhouse connected to the hotel by an enclosed passageway.” From an interpretive plaque.
The architecture of Hot Springs includes many such sandstone buildings.
Fujifilm X-Pro3 23mm, 1/600 sec, f/5.6, ISO 160
Historic wood jail.
“This historical wooden jail was found within the walls of a frame house at 332 South Chicago Street here in Hot Springs by William L. ‘Bud’ Soper while he was demolishing the structure for salvage. The jail was donated to the city and it was moved to this site in April 1983. This jail is built of 2x4 lumber laid flat and nailed together with rows of #9 wire between the boards to discourage anyone from sawing through. Calamity Jane gave quite a drunken exhibition on November 10, 1895 in the Bodega Saloon just down the street and tried to ‘borrow’ a horse to take it for a ride. She was ‘offered’ a nights lodging in the city jail by Mayor C.W. Hargens. Local historian Helen Magee estimated the jail was built in 1885 or ‘86. It is the oldest wooden jail in existence in South Dakota.” From an interpretive plaque on site.
Fujifilm X-Pro3 23mm, 1/120 sec, f/5.6, ISO 160
This image really highlights the 2x4 lumber construction of the jail.
Fujifilm X-Pro3 23mm, 1/80 sec, f/5.6, ISO 160
The stairs leading up to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Hot Springs again features the sandstone construction that is so common throughout the town.
Fujifilm X-Pro3 23mm, 1/480 sec, f/5.6, ISO 160
The flood channel that contains the Fall River runs through Hot Springs.
“From 1894 to 1947 the City of Hot Springs experienced 7 great floods. The flood channel in this photo and two dams, Cold Brook (completed in 1953) and Cottonwood Springs (completed in 1969), were designed and constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reduce the risk of potentially deadly flooding in the historic Hot Springs downtown.” From an interpretive plaque on site.
This colorful psychedelic bison mural adorns the wall of a building immediately adjacent to the Hot Springs Police Department.
Fujifilm X-Pro3 23mm, 1/1400 sec, f/5.6, ISO 160
The Pioneer Museum was closed for the season but is still an impressive structure and example of the sandstone architecture seen widely throughout the city of Hot Springs. I find the surrounding landscape nearly as impressive as the building itself.
Fujifilm X-Pro3 23mm, 1/1000 sec, f/5.6, ISO 160
Sylvan Lake is just an amazing place. There is a walking path/hike around this small lake and the views are simply fantastic. We arrived here just as the sun was setting and there was absolutely no wind, so the lake was like glass and made for some really nice reflections.
Fujifilm X-Pro3 23mm, 1/150 sec, f/5.6, ISO 160
This is just such a unique place. It looks as though the rocks just grow out of the lake.
Fujifilm X-Pro3 23mm, 1/800 sec, f/2, ISO 160
More of the same, just because it is that beautiful here.
Fujifilm X-Pro3 23mm, 1/680 sec, f/2, ISO 160
Looking toward the eastern shore of Sylvan Lake, the setting sun made for some spectacular lighting.
Fujifilm X-Pro3 23mm, 1/1250 sec, f/2, ISO 160
One final image of one of our favorite places to visit. What started out as a snowy overcast day really turned into a lovely evening for a stroll at Sylvan Lake.
Fujifilm X-Pro3 23mm, 1/850 sec, f/2, ISO 160
