Bear Butte State Park — Attraction in Sturgis

17 Sep 2017 1300 Hrs

Bear Butte State Park, South Dakota

Sorry I can not give it Zero Stars... I traveled literally thousands of miles to come here, but due to my medical condition, i was not allowed to, either enter the "Gift Shop" nor the Mountain itself.

Now my medical condition is unquestionably a fact you can not discriminate against. So where lies the problem? It was with my Service Animal. Now I will say that there are a lot of people posing "service animals" but a trained Seizure Alert Animal is not a poser. The Kid at the counter said it was because they had Sacred items inside. Ok, if they are Sacred then why are they Not behind glass as in any other Museum. If they are incased, as those that you can see from the front door, then why is it different than any other museum? Are those item less Sacred?

Now the Kid behind the counter... He was a "smart ass" to myself and my wife. Very curt and rude. When I got upset and walk out, he came running after me. Stopped another Seeker very rudely and asked them if they had noticed the signs or if they could read. She got quite upset as well. This Kid needs lessons on how to and not to speak to Elders, from my Elders. He then stood outside and watched us sit in the truck for the 10 minutes it took to get pulled out and continued to watch the entire time we drove out, all the way down.

Now as far as the mountain goes. It is a Sacred Site to me as well, or I would not have traveled so far to come here. And as such, as the Kid said, it is a church in a manner of speaking. How many times do you go to your Church see a Service Dog among the people? Many times I have, Including mine. A medical necessity is a necessity anywhere.

Now the mountain is out of doors, open to the wild, right. Hell they are even displaying Bison out front to show how things might have looked eons ago before the settlers killed them off. These Bison are on the mountain. Do they have Do Not Enter signs for the Wolf, Fox, Coyote, Bear, Deer, Elk, or any of our Four Legged Brothers and Sisters. How about our Winged Brothers and Sisters, can they drop in? Maybe the Mountain is Only for Man now. Who said a Mountain, Put here by Creator is only for Man to use. Oh yeah, White Man. The Mountain as well as the rest of the Mother and All of GOD'S Creatures, Me ta que ah sa, were put here for All to Share. But that is the Key word... Share, a novel idea that was lost with our past. What a shame.

So take heed. If you have a Service Dog or any other Service Animal you will not be allowed to have them on the mountain. Oh but they can be on the mountain, in the parking lot.

Guess what SDSPS the parking lot is on the mountain, your Bison are on the mountain.

Oh, and let me say right here... NO other State or National, Park, Forest, Monument, Museum, or any other Historic Site, we have visited in this year long Expedition has denied a Service Animal except for Risky Rides, like in Huston's Aquarium, or like in Chaco Canyon where ladder climbing was involved. Like Duh, no right minded person would consider it. Not once "because the trail is to narrow." If that were the case then two people could not pass. If there are steps and a walk way then it is wide enough.

Maybe this should be turned over to the lawyers that this country has grown to love so much.

DISCRIMINATION is DISCRIMINATION, it matters not in what form it comes.

"The Earth Does NOT Belong to US, We belong to the Earth."

A'ho'

I have...

This place is pure magic! you can feel the sacredness on the land and with the people who are doing ceremony in this location. I didn't really know what to expect when walking up the mountain but I did so with a sense of reverence and humility as so many thousands have done before me. If you close your eyes and open your heart and your mind you can feel the energy in this park.

Also the staff and the education center and gift shop are incredibly helpful and kind and welcoming. I learned a lot from speaking with Georgia and Mike who helped me select items will treasure for the rest of my life.

They also shared some of the sacred guidelines for walking up the mountain and how to respect all the prayer ties by not taking close-up photos of them since they are sacred to the people who left them on the trees and along the path.

When I went there there were some people who were doing a Vision Quest ceremony and so I was conscious to avoid disturbing them.

I felt like bringing in my Native American flute with me so I sat down at one point and played and noticed an eagle fly overhead. That's the kind of things that can happen when you visit such a...

Amazing, check in at Visitor Center. Free. Lots of great information about the Native Americans and historical significance. Real washroom at the back. The trail begins through the gazebo. Good grip hiking shoes, hat, water, snacks, sunscreen, and strong knees. Perfect day, bits of breeze and sun. I made it to the first 3 rock pillars. Once on the other side, the wind became super Gusty, and it started drizzling. I turned around. It was only 1/2 way up. There was the taller summit to climb. 2 young men made it so it is doable. Perhaps earlier and on a clear, less windy day. Towards the bottom, there is not much wind or drizzle. I took it as a sign. Prayer ribbons lining the lower path. Beautiful. Saw 5 quiet feeding deer. Well worth the hike. There seems to be 2 trials: one is steeper with steps, and the other is longer with less...