Chrysanthemum Petals: 5.31.13 Black Hills Vacation, Day 3 Palmer Gulch

On the third day, we moved from Custer, to the Palmer Gulch Resort. Dan found them on the internet. The resort is a combination of old traditional cabins, new cabins, and a KOA campground for RV and other campers. I have to say, everything about it was great. It was clean, well staffed, and there are a variety of things to do. When dan looked online, most everything was booked, so he chose a new cabin. Truly, we don't think anyone had stayed in it prior to us. Everything was clean and new. The deck wasn't even sealed yet, and no grass was planted. The cabin had 2 bedrooms, one that was basically a cubby with 2 bunk beds and a ladder built into it. It had a shower, and kitchenette. It had air conditioning and cable tv. Without kids you wouldn't need the tv, but after lots of physical activity, or when rising early, it's nice to be able to turn on nick jr! Each cabin had a deck with a patio table and grill. Good work on the accomdations Dan. Nice!

The wonderful thing about Palmer Gulch was the resort concept. There is a lot to do right there. For several years, Joe has wanted to do a trail ride. Every day Joey walked to the stables to pet the horses and look at them. Palmer Gulch has nearly 100 horses, rotated through their trail ride duties, and they are set free in the pasture each day as well. We learned that the trail guides are mostly college students, who come from all over the country. We also learned that when Palmer Gulch closes for the season, these horses go to Montana and are pack horses for hunting excursions.

Joe's horse was named "Peanut Butter!" His horse wanted to stop and eat grass along the trail.

There's the trail guide, leading, Joe and Peanut Butter next, and you can just see Horace's ear and mane. Dan's horse was named Lawrence! The trail was nice. We went through whispering pines, up a mountain, and along a creek. When the ride was over, Joe asked, "Can we do this again tomorrow?" We told him it was expensive, and a "once every few years" activity. He said, "You don't have to come, you can just send me with the trail guides."