Wind Cave National Park

This morning we awoke unexpectedly to light rain, fog, and cool weather.  After attending the 9 AM services at Fountain Springs Community Church we drove South toward Wind Cave National Park in the Southern Black Hills.

We signed up for the 2 PM tour, had a picnic lunch outside and went into the cave for the tour conducted by a Park Ranger.  Teddy Roosevelt established Wind Cave Park in 1902.  It is the third longest cave in the world, measured out at this point at 140 miles in total length.  The passageways are small and quite monochromatic but the wind moves through the cave as a result of barometric pressure changes on the surface.  I’m told winds up the 43 MPH have been recorded at the entrance to the cave.  After we exited the elevator at the bottom you pass thorough a airlock to keep wind pressure equalized in the cave.

Joy and I then enjoyed another drive through the southern-most parts of the park stopping at Jewel Cave National Monument.  We could see the results of the Jasper fire of August, 2000 caused by lightning that destroyed 83,000 acres.  Then traveling briefly into Wyoming before reentering South Dakota passing through historic Deadwood where Wild Bill Hickok lost his life in a gunfight in the 1880’s.  He once broke his tradition of playing cards with his back to a wall and it cost him dearly.

Tomorrow we plan our last day in the Black Hills going out to Devil’s Tower National Monument.  I have passed over it on my way flying to Seattle many time and look forward to seeing from the ground.