A Morning Among Bison and Wild Hearts, Custer State Park, SD

Welcome to Nebraska, Google Maps announces. Crossing into a new state usually excites me, yet it also means leaving behind Colorado.

Yes, I will be back in Colorado by the beginning of November. Still, it feels different to drive away from a place that was “my place” for most of last year.

Oh, Colorado, I will miss your beauty. You gave me more than stunning mountains and breathtaking landscapes — you gave me friendships I hold close to my heart. You brought me to my knees in awe of your beauty and challenged me on mountain passes that tested my courage and trails that pushed my physical limits. You surprised me with a new passion, glass fusion, and opened horizons I never imagined.

Colorado, you left me speechless. I am forever grateful for your presence in my life.

Now, the flat open road carries me forward toward South Dakota to Custer State Park and the rugged wonder of Badlands National Park. Two places I first visited early in my travels, and am longing to experience again.

I appreciate that the mountain girl in me can find beauty in an endless flat landscape. I enjoy the quiet grace in the way the enormous skies stretch forever, offering a horizon that melts gently between my two favorite colors — green and blue.

I am excited to be back at Custer State Park. It was recommended to me by a local when I was heading in that direction two years ago. It is a magical place with a great opportunity to witness wildlife in their natural habitat, set against rolling hills painted in shades of gold and green.

The park offers much more than driving the long Wildlife Loop Road. You can read the post from two years ago about my visit to Custer State Park for more information.  Open link

I don’t have much time to explore the park this time, but all I wish is to be there early in the morning on the Wildlife Loop Road, as this is the best time to experience the wildlife magic.

I arrive at the park late in the afternoon and take a drive along Wildlife Loop Road, hoping to find where the bison are roaming so I can locate them early tomorrow morning. The road is packed with other visitors, so I head to my campsite. Finally, I can cook a delicious hot meal — something that feels like a small luxury.

But first, I stop at the shower building not far from the campground. As I come out of the building feeling refreshed and clean, a woman approaches and asks how the showers are. “Great,” I said, “use the last one, it's the biggest.” And yes, you guessed right — a light conversation starts between Betty and me.

As we part ways, I invite Betty to come and visit me at my campsite later. I park at site number 27, and Betty is at site number 13.

Later that evening, we sit together as the sun gently sets. I sit in silence as Betty shares herself with such open rawness. It is the first time that I am the receiver. Usually it is I who opens up to a stranger and creates a bridge of love. Now I can feel the power and the gift of someone else’s vulnerable story.

It strikes me how parallel our stories are, and how we share the same understanding of our trauma and the responsibility we carry in the healing process.

I know I have shared my future vision of the non-profit organization I have in my heart with you all, but I don’t often share it with the people I meet — unless I feel safe and comfortable in their presence.

My evening with Betty is magical. I am so grateful for her vulnerable heart and sense of humor. When I mention my vision of creating a place that supports women getting back on their feet in a campground setting through community building, she looks at me with a stunning expression.

“Gila,” she says, “you would not believe it — I have the same vision. I already have a drawing of the place and an outline.”

We both feel our connection is meant to be. To me, it felt as though the universe was encouraging me to stay on this path — a gentle whisper saying, “Keep dreaming, Gila. The time and the right people will come. Keep the fire in your heart alive.”

We hug goodbye, promising each other to stay in touch.

Good morning, new day! By 6:30, I am on the Wildlife Loop Road, welcoming the rising sun and the open landscape that belongs to me. The early light paints the hills in gold, and the silence feels sacred. I drive with my window open, letting the gentle cold breeze carry the scent of nature into my experience.

Just as I start my drive, a few pronghorns greet me good morning. They are only a few feet from me. I stop and just observe their unique color patterns. They watch me with calm curiosity before gliding away into the golden grass.

I drive slowly, no rush on my end, as my next destination is less than two hours away.

I keep a wide lens observing the hills, looking for the bison. I find them not far from where they were yesterday. This time, no other cars are around to block my view or my experience. I stay in my car, simply enjoying being one of the herd. It feels grounding to listen to their deep grunts and the steady sound of grass munching. They are big animals for sure.

I continue driving to the area where the burros and prairie dogs are usually present. Again, yesterday, with so many people around, it just didn’t feel natural to enjoy the wildlife in this park so beautifully.

Now the burros are gathered together on the grass instead of in the middle of the road, and the sound of the prairie dogs fills the air as they pop their heads from time to time from their holes in the ground.

It’s time to find a quiet pull-off and enjoy my morning cup of coffee. I was so eager to start early and have the road to myself that I skipped my morning routine. I sit and relax, letting the warmth of the sun and the scent of coffee become part of the moment.

Then I stop to fill up my gas tank and wash up in the bathroom of the gas station before heading to Badlands National Park.