Day 10--Recollections

No driving today (yea!), so I thought I would post a few more of Smoky's photos from Custer State Park and tell you what I learned about Peter Norbeck, born in 1870 of Swedish Norwegian immigrants in eastern South Dakota, which was then called the Dakota Territory. Norbeck grew up in South Dakota, where he attended college for a while and made his fortune drilling water wells. He was urged to enter politics and moved up to Governor of the state in 1917.

Known as a down-to-earth man, he was known for his honesty and enthusiasm. As I read about his advocacy for resource conservation, I marveled at all he accomplished during his career. This information was posted in Custer State Park, which his efforts were responsible for creating. Other accomplishments included the Migratory Bird Act of 1929, design and construction of  the scenic Iron Mountain Road and Needles Highway near Custer SP, helping establish Grand Teton National Park, and establishing Badlands National Monument.

We were enjoying some of the fruits of this man's tireless efforts, as have countless other people through the years, and I had never heard of him. One of the posters in Custer had this quote from Norbeck:

"...from long experience it is more important to get results than to get credit for results."

Thanks, Mr. Norbeck, for that advice. It sounds like something we need to remember.

Here are a few more photos from the area of South Dakota that he loved so much.

American Bison grazing in Custer State Park

Bison calf, Custer State Park

Shedding the winter coat

Badlands scenic view, South Dakota

The moon was rising as we traveled back to Sundance after visiting Devils Tower late afternoon after our time in Custer. This view of the moon was a very fitting ending to a really inspiring visit to these amazing locations.

Moonrise near Devils Tower, Wyoming

--Shann