The Wild Donkey of Iron Mountain, Black Hills

The Wild Donkey..?

Oh, let me tell you a story my friend. A story of the Wild Donkeys that roam these lands.

For generations, these wild beasts have sought after man to steal the food right from their hands. Wandering the Black hills in hopes of stumbling across the unsuspecting traveller in an attempt to pillage what they see fit.

The Donkey families are the legend in these hills. A legend we were about to find out about all too soon.

My Friends....

This is our encounter with the Wild Donkey of Iron Mountain...

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BUT FIRST...

Let me share of the time that led up to this peculiar encounter, for it is worth the story.

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'Twas a beautiful day, with radiant sun mixed with the aroma of mountain pines and subtle tones of natural life mingling around. We headed toward iron mountain, hoping we would have the chance to spin around the area's famous 'Pigtail Bridges' that remarkably was the choice for wrapping up these gentle mountain roads.

A series of these bridges were lined with tall pines and aspens and a variety of other types of trees and growth. The wood constructed bridges wove around itself exactly like it's name - a Pig Tail.

Snapping a few pictures we stopped and read a little history of the interesting structures and a few extra facts.

Driving around this spectacular road was about to get a little more interesting.

After driving throughs some pretty cool tunnels that fit barely more than your car, (honk before you enter), we cam upon a sight to behold.

"Through the tunnel...?"

"Are those faces...?

It was just George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson on the front Mount Rushmore - Phew!

We though it might be giants. So we moved on... Through the great hills that led us to a point a vantage. We could see for miles, and as you can see, Mount Rushmore stood proud in the distance. Standing prominently amongst the Black Hills, telling about our country's great history.

...and snapped a photo from another angle. Notice the Entrance and Park centers in the foreground. Millions of visitors tour Mount Rushmore every year, and they got a pretty good breakfast!

After a few moments of walking around the trees and sitting on the rocks that scattered the hills, a few pictures later we moved on. Around each bend was great scenery, new critters to watch scurry about, and a number of areas to stop and gaze at the beauty of the hills.

Passing by a couple of farm properties, small creeks and brooks create an elaborate ecosystem sustaining the cycle of life for the Black Hills. We started to notice a few Buffalo meandering about, with their own agenda, looking for an afternoon snack or some fresh dirt to wallow around in for a bath.

As we came around a turn that led gradually down out of the dense trees, we spotted some larger animals on the road. Unlike others, these creatures seemed undisturbed by passing traffic, even attempting a full body block on some family tourists' minivan just enjoying their drive.

There was nothing we could do...

There we were, stopped in on the road, face to face with the legendary donkey. He wasn't moving anywhere - at least not without seeing what we had in our picnic basket first...

Never, I tell you - Never have we seen this before!

And it wasn't just this silky brown coated burro, No, there were many!

Without care, these lazy donkeys bumped into one another for a closer look at the new visitors who seemed to excite the herd a little. They moved closer to the vehicle.

In the near field a Buffalo ducked his head, peering over the tall grasses, eagerly waits to see what would happen next. Did he know something...?

"Here they come!"

"Roll up the windows...!"

Too late - we ducked back and away as they rudely poked their donkey heads into the vehicle looking for whatever good donkey snack you may have brought. It's a good thing we heard about these legendary donkeys so we may offer a health, yet savory snack.

"Give 'em the Graham Cracker.." I pleaded. The lappidy tongue emerged, and like a hand itself, wrapped that cracker and smiled with a donkey smile as it nibbled up the new bounty.

After realizing that these donkeys may have a friendly side, we wanted to get out and have a little one on one time with a few of them. Y'know, ask those tough questions and really get inside the mind of a donkey.... Right :)

I opened my door, stepped out slowly, separating the large burro with the car door. He stared at me through my open window, checking me out, like I was checking him out.

So after making sure all was good to go, and seeing a few families with little kids petting the donkeys outside the car, I stepped into the middle of things.

Feeling the weight of the donkeys push up against you positioning themselves for the snack was unique and a few times, questionable. I tried to make sure I stayed on the outside perimeter because they seemed to have a knack of surrounding you.

It was great, they had character. We petted and spent a few minutes just being a part of the experience. White ones, brown ones, spotted ones. About a dozen showed up on this day, but we hear there are more, and we plan on meeting them in the future...

As first timers - we didn't know that their mood would change when you ran out of what they wanted. They should be called more like the 'Pirates of the Black Hills'.

After my supply ran low and I wanted take a few more pictures, a few of them teamed up on me and gave me a little nibbling chase down looking for more of those yummy graham crackers, which I had none to spare.

And although they seemed harmless enough and caused us no harm, I was unwilling to find out how a couple of competitive, hungry, wild donkeys would act trying to get another bite.

So we hopped back in the car and moved on...

Really couldn't have asked for a better day traveling through the Black Hills of South Dakota in our car because a few more miles down the road, we were treated with another delight.

A herd of Buffalo were grazing right next to the road. And, Yes, while you could reach out and touch them, I highly recommend against it. These large, unpredictable animals, although rare, are strong and ferocious. Today, they were beautiful.

Families, with baby buffalo looked us on as we slowly drove by. Cars staggered along the roadway were snapping what I'm sure are proud photos to show their friends and families.

But let's face it, it's hard to miss a great photo opportunity in the Black Hills!

Chance Buell is a Travel Photographer and Producer: Denver, Colorado

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