Custer Prairie Sunflower Cookies

Cozy up with the mystery and intrigue of Murder in Custer State Park...enjoying this recipe for Prairie Sunflower Cookies:

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• ½ cup coconut oil
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups all-purpose flour (gluten free: mix flour with this base - 1/2 cup Rice Flour, 1/2 cup Brown Rice Flour, 1/2 cup sorghum flour, 1/2 cup Tapioca flour, 1/2 cup corn starch, pinch flaxseed); 1 teaspoon xanthan gum for gluten free
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup unsalted roasted sunflower seed kernels

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugars with an electric mixer until fluffy and pale in color, about 4-5 minutes.
3. Add the coconut oil, eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.
4. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
5. Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture and beat just until combined.
6. Stir in the oats, shredded coconut, and sunflower seeds.
7. Drop the cookie batter by the spoonful onto a prepared cookie sheet.
8. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are beginning to turn golden.

Notes

Sunflower seeds can go stale fairly quickly so be sure to use ones that are fresh

 

This recipe is courtesy of the Daring Gourmet - I made a few additions from my own baking experience

 

 

 

Sunflower Seed and Sunbutter Cookies are great options if you have a peanut allergy - plus sunflower seeds are a high source of zinc, selenium and vitamin e!

Wild Custer Adventure: Wildlife Loop

Murder in Custer State Park is available now on Kindle and in paperback

Step into the wild on Custer's Wildlife Loop...

Custer's Wildlife Loop winds eighteen miles through thick forests and granite bluffs to wild golden prairie.  The Loop garners its name from the vast Custer Wildlife population that lines the road, offering an insight to the intricate prairie and mountain ecosystems that converge in the park.  The change is scenery is jarringly, shocking the senses with windswept beauty that captures the heart to embrace nature in a new reverence.

The southern section of the loop has a visitor center offering insight on the grassland ecosystem. 

I recommend taking time to do the three mile Prairie Trail, which showcases the grassland habitat and wildflower meadows (bring plenty of water and use bug spray)

Here is a list of animals commonly found along the Wildlife Loop:

- Bison; 2000 pounds, shaggy with razor sharp horns, keep a distance of at least 25 yards; bison run 30+ miles per hour.  They are wild and dangerous.  Look at them with reverence from a distance.

-Whitetail Deer: white hair on the underside of tail, When the animal runs, the tail is flipped up and looks like a waving flag.

- Mule Deer: named for their large ears.  They have black-tipped tails, which are short and narrow and are carried down when the deer runs.  They bound with a stiff-legged gait.  You will not see a more powerful jump than the Mule Deer in 'flight.'

- Pronghorn: often incorrectly called antelope, live mainly on the open grasslands.  The name comes from the bucks' large pronged horns.  The females' horns are small and un-pronged.  Can run 40 mph or faster and are excellent jumpers!

- Prairie Dogs: The black-tailed prairie dog is found on dry, upland prairie.  They are a keystone species, meaning that other species depend on the prairie dog for survival including the Black Footed Ferret...Prairie Dogs live in large social groups called towns.  Prairie Dogs help to preserve the vitality of the prairie by conserving water.  They are misidentified as pests by ranchers, poisoned in mass, for fear their holes will break the legs of cattle, when actually there are no known examples of this happening.  Also ranchers have used the common myth that prairie dogs eat the cattle's grass, in truth prairie dogs eat the less nutrient rich part of the grass and pull up the richer root, which is preferred by cattle and bison - I will post more about the adorable and critical species soon!

- Begging Burros: The burros in CSP are not native to the Black Hills.  They are descendants from a herd that once hauled visitors to the top of Harney Peak.  When the rides were discontinued the burros were released into the park and they are a popular attraction.  They are used to people and put their heads in cars (use caution, but this is one exception of wildlife you can interact with - respect the animal and be aware of safety concerns)

- Elk: Elk are rarely seen in daytime hours, so dawn and dusk are the best viewing times

- Wild Turkey

- Bighorn Sheep: South Dakota's original bighorn sheep was the Audubon subspecies.  When it became extinct about 1920, a herd of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep was introduced to CSP.  They have a sturdy, yet gracious build and are able to move up and down the terrain with ease.  The males have curved large horns, the ewes have smaller horns.  Bighorn Sheep are at risk for pneumonia - DO NOT FEED THE SHEEP!   They are susceptible to getting sick and it is important to keep them healthy - when I was in the park in 2009, the population had dwindled to 19 because of pneumonia in sheep.

Murder in Custer State Park - Merritt and Josh spend their first 'date' together on The Wildlife Loop

Tatanka - Bison symbol of Custer State Park

Explore the Black Hills with costumer and amateur sleuth Merritt Andrews in Murder in State Park.

Custer State Park is renowned for being a refuge for wildlife, echoing the prairie song of these western plains, that were once filled with bison, pronghorn, bighorn sheep...Peter Norbeck first drew attention to conservation efforts to save South Dakota's Bison population and reintroduce other native forms of wildlife that were driven extinct in westward expansion (fur trade, trappers, game hunting.)

Bison are the mascot of Custer State Park.  'Buffalo' (scientifically known as 'Bison bison') roam the park, trekking from the Iron Mountain Road, to Game Lodge onwards to the prairies of the Wildlife Loop.  Custer's Buffalo herd is 1300 + strong.  This wasn't always the case, if it hadn't been for the efforts of conservationists, bison would be a mere ghost on the plains. 

150 years ago, Buffalo roamed this land by the millions, stampeding on the plains, as mighty warriors of Dakota.  30 years of market hunting and western settlement decimated the bison population.  Isn't it scary to think how quickly our lack of concern for our environment and surroundings can deteriorate.  This is a living history call to remind us to move forward as stewards of the earth, actively helping us to learn from the past.  By 1900 only 1,000 bison lived in all of America - millions to 1000?  That is staggering.  The Lakota see the bison as a sacred animal, The Great Spirits gift as a renewable resource that must be respected.  They used all part of the animal for food, clothing, teepees, and admired the bison, they hunted it as a management and resource, but not plundering the populations.  The Lakota mourned the loss of the bison and can give us an example when being conservationist - using our resources without plundering them. 

Pete Dupree and Scotty Philip were instrumental in saving the bison population.  They kept five bison calves to raise and started a bison heard to preserve the species.  In December 1914, Custer State Game Preserve (now Custer State Park) purchased thirty-six bison from Scotty Phillip.  The herd grew with more park purchases to 2,500.  In the 1960s a limited Bison hunt was held, although this seems counterintuitive, the park's 71,000 acres can only support around 1500 bison  (healthy population)...

The Buffalo Roundup: The park manages the bison population with the annual Buffalo Roundup - bison are rounded up to the Buffalo Corrals on the Wildlife Loop - an amazing sight, and vaccinated and given exams.  Bison over ten years old are auctioned off to bison ranches - this ensures that they receive a peaceful life in the park for the majority of their years...many are sold as studs to buffer other bison herds.  Custer State Park has one of the best eco-management of wildlife in the world.  They understand the perfect balance of protection. 

The Buffalo Roundup is held the third weekend in September and includes an arts festival and bison chili cook off.

Camping in Custer State Park

In August 2009, I spent three weeks camping at Center Lake in Custer State Park.  I fell in love with the park, its history, culture, recreation and natural splendor.  It was long days spent hiking in the Custer backcountry, picnicking at numerous day-use areas, dipping my toes in the area's many lakes, 'spelunking' in Jewel and Wind Caves that the idea for 'Murder in Custer State Park' was born.  I work the book in 2010 and have edited it the past few years and writing additional books (including Playhouse Mystery Series - soon be released).

My passion for camping came from Summer in Custer - as a seasoned National and State Park traveler and hiker, CSP is still my favorite place to camp.  Custer State Park offers top amenities and facilities (free showers - a big perk when roughing it), activities on site and boundless recreation.

So pick up your copy of 'Murder in Custer State Park,' curl up by the fire and delve into camping fun and mystery.

Here is a list of the camping options in Custer and some tips for making your camping trip a success.

Custer Campgrounds:

Blue Bell Campground: Great location - you can walk to the General Store, restaurant and horseback riding!

Center Lake Campground: I highly recommend Center Lake Campground.  It is half a mile from The Black Hills Playhouse, and adjacent to Center Lake.  This campground is well sited with electric and non electric, RV to Tent only sites. 

Game Lodge: A hub of activity - this campground is well sited, albeit packed with Bison.  Bison weigh 2,000 + pounds, have razor sharp horns and can gore you, running at speeds of 30 mph.  They are peaceful animals, but need their space, so I personally don't feel comfortable sleeping in their prime lounging ground - (this comes from summers working and living in Yellowstone National Park as well)

Stockade Lake: I love Stockade Lake.  It is so peaceful.  I spent days on end lost in the serenity of the lake, watching the ducks quack in chorus, hiking in the Stockade Lake area...the advantage of Stockade Lake is that it very close to the gateway town of Custer City, where you buy your groceries.  This is very convenient if you are staying in the area more than a night or two.  You can boat on Stockade Lake, making this a good option if you are attracted to water sports.

Sylvan Lake Campground: Sylvan Lake is a recreation paradise, with swimming, kayaking and ample hiking opportunities.

French Creek Horse Camp - horseback ride?  This might be the spot for you.

The campgrounds have a variety of sites and also include some camper cabins for all the latest info:
http://www.CampSD.com 1 800 710 CAMP

Camping Essentials:
- Lantern - we use battery powered, but Kerosene is preferred by most.  If you do use battery powered I recommend LED Coleman works the best in my experience.
- Chairs: fold out chairs by Kelty to Coleman help make your camping trip comfortable.  I loved journaling in my waterproof fold out chair.
- Kindling, Firewood: Both are sold in General Stores.  I recommend taking a class at REI or going on YouTube to learn about building a fire.  It is critical that you use top safety precautions with fire to protect the forests of Custer from wildfire.
- Tarps - bring lots of tarps - you'll need one for under the tent, and more for covering/protection - Custer has no bears, so it is one of the few places you can store your food outside.
-Cooler (Ice is sold at General Stores)
- Tent: REI and Coleman are my suggestions for tents.  I actually used the Coleman 4-person instant tent when I camped in YNP this past September - it held up better than my other tent - withstanding four days of heavy rain and snow without one leak.  It cost $100.  I also used the Ozark Brand (Wal-Mart) for a back-up tent and it worked great as well... though I recommend Coleman.
-Sleeping Bag: In the Black Hills, nights are chilly but not frigid; 30+ is okay, though 0+ sleeping bags are preferred.
-Utensils, plates...we used eco-friendly paper and compostable utensils for our camping the last few times, but camping utensils are affordable at most Outdoor stores and re-usable
- Trash bags - Seventh Generation work great and are good for the environment
- Cooking gear: I won't go into too much detail about this, Coleman stoves are ideal and run $50-$200, using propane or kerosene.  When we camped at Custer we made a lot of Gluten Free Wraps (Like Merritt, I'm gluten intolerant) and ate twice a week at area restaurants.  In YNP we typically camp with salads and sandwiches, because it is easy to pack and clean up.  However if you are up for going all the way with cooking a culinary feast at your campsite - the fire rings at Custer work great - or you can plug into the electricity...

Do not allow your tarp to extend this far, we cut it down to size - otherwise the rain will flood your tent.  Look for a hilly spot, that is flat enough for your tent, so if it does rain, the water will go down the hill, instead of flooding your tent.
You cannot camp without making S'mores:

Ingredients:
Chocolate squares (Hershey's is fine, but I prefer Green & Blacks or organic varieties without soy, as I'm allergic to soy)
Graham Crackers (If you are Gluten Intolerant like me, Kinnicknick has a Gluten Free S'More Cracker, you can also use gluten free crackers - rice crackers even, cookies, anything crunch that blends well with chocolate.  I have used Gingerbread Cookies before)
Marshmallows - roasted on the open fire

Wild Custer Adventure: Legion Lake

Costumer and amateur sleuth Merritt Andrews and her Custer Playhouse friends spent a lot of their free time at Legion Lake.  This family-friendly destination is the perfect mountain hideaway...Murder in Custer State Park

Legion Lake Area:
Relax in the Old West charm of Legion Lake.  Located along Galena Creek, Legion Lake Lodge dates to 1913, when Custer State Park was a game preserve in Custer State Forest.  The area was leased to the local American Legion post - hence the name 'Legion.'  Legion Lake is a laid back oasis, where you can swim on a lazy afternoon and go hiking on the rocky 'Legion Loop.' 

Accommodations include the Legion Lodge cabins, set back in a Ponderosa forest, overlooking the shimmering lake.  The Legion Lake campground is a perfect spot to pitch a tent and ignite a campfire.

Legion Lake Lodge's Dining Room has affordable home favorites, including hearty breakfasts, delectable lunches of sandwiches and burgers to scrumptious steak dinners with house wine.  Land O'Lakes ice cream and homemade pies placate any sweet tooth.

The Legion Lake General Store (attached to dining room) has lots of souvenirs and camping gear. 

Activities:
- Hiking: Legion Lake Loop and Centennial Trail
- Theatre: The Black Hills Playhouse is only a few miles from Legion Lake on Highway 87 North.
- Badger Clark's Badger's Hole Cabin...
- Swimming and Water Recreation

The Shadow of Harney Peak: Sylvan Lake

In Murder in Custer State Park, costumer and amateur sleuth Merritt Andrews solves a series of murders in the majesty and mystery of South Dakota's Black Hills.  Grab a copy of Murder in Custer State Park, and stay tuned to The Inkspot for Custer travel tips.

Sylvan Lake Escape
Looming high, conversing with the clouds, Harney Peak rises as a great mountain of granite.  It is the tallest peak east of the Rockies and west of the European Alps.  In the shadow of Harney Peak you'll discover the jewel of Custer State Park, the tranquil resplendence of Sylvan Lake. 

The lake was created in 1881 when Theodore Reder built a dam across Sunday Gulch. In 1885 the original Sylvan Lake Lodge was built as a Victorian style edifice, overlooking the sparkling shores of Sylvan Lake.  After the hotel burned to the ground in 1935, the current lodge was erected to mimic the natural landscape.  Architect suggested the location of the current hotel to highlight the scenic beauty, his style influence was woven by the architecture team, making this elegant hotel, inviting, peaceful and naturally inspiring. 

The Sylvan Lake Hotel takes you back to the days of Grand Lodges.  It has rustic splendor, offering excellent views of the mountains and lake.  It's dining room is known for locally inspired fine-cuisine.

Sylvan Lake is a headquarters for recreation.  In hot summer days, visitors fill the lake, cooling off in the clear waters.  Kayaking is a popular activity on the lake as well.  There are a plethora of hikes in the Sylvan Lake area, whether you desire to scale Harney Peak or amble along the otherworldly, supernatural-like granite cliffs lining the lake.  Scenes of 'National Treasure 2' was filmed at Sylvan Lake.

Sylvan Lake is at the northern end of The Needle's Highway, making the drive to Sylvan Lake from other areas of the park all the more magical.

To book your Custer Vacation:
http://www.custerresorts.com

Don't forget to purchase your copy of 'Murder in Custer State Park.'

 

State Game Lodge: Summer White House

Delve into the mystery and majesty of the Black Hills in Murder in Custer State Park.

Step back in time to the Roaring 1920s, the year is 1927 and Custer State Park is on the precipice of being thrust onto the national stage, laying a foundation for South Dakota's Tourism Industry today. 

For years, Peter Norbeck has fastidiously worked to raise awareness about the natural splendor and wonder of the Black Hills.  On his agenda, to gain federal funding for the construction of Mount Rushmore. 

Norbeck believes that if President Coolidge can witness the majesty of Custer State Park and the Black Hills in person, his doubts about Federal Funding for the region will be alleviated.  Norbeck invites his good friend, President 'Cool' Cal Coolidge to spend a three week summer vacation in Custer State Park at the gracious State Game Lodge. 

Designed by architect Cecil C. Gideon, and constructed from 1919-1922, The State Game Lodge is an immaculately built lodge of stone and Black Hills wood. The lodge is set in a pristine valley, surrounded by thick ponderosa pine and 'Grace Coolidge' Creek.  It is a popular hotspot for the park's bison population. 

Senator Norbeck pulled all stops to ensure that The Coolidge family was enchanted by Custer and The Black Hills.  He even stocked 'Grace Coolidge' Creek with fish every night to ensure, the angling President would reel in dozens of fish.  The Coolidges' quickly fell under Custer's spell.  The President extended his three month vacation from three weeks to three months.  He ordered his staff to come to Custer State Park, while the Press Corps stationed themselves in the current Grace Coolidge General Store. 

It was during President Coolidge's stay that the penny-pinching leader was wooed to order sponsor the creation of America's monument: Mount Rushmore.  Coolidge's visit garnered national attention, which propelled increased tourism to South Dakota. 

In 1953, President Dwight Eisenhower vacationed for several days at the State Game Lodge, making it a true lodge for Presidents. 

The State Game Lodge is the ideal place to stay in Custer.  It offers a variety of stately rooms with rustic Dakota touches.  It's partner hotel, the modern Creekside Lodge, is open year-round and offers 30 luxurious lodge rooms, lobby and meeting rooms. Merritt and Josh (Murder in Custer State Park) use the Creekside Lodge's Wi-Fi when solving the Custer murders.

If you prefer to rough it, The Game Lodge area is home to a well-sited campground with electric and non-electric sites.  My only tip is if you camp at Game Lodge, be wary of the bison.  They often meander through camp and are deadly if you get too close.  For this reason I recommend the nearby Grace Coolidge Campground or Center Lake, Blue Bell, Legion or Stockade Lake campgrounds.

The State Game Lodge restaurant is fine dining and homegrown Dakota food that appeals to a variety of palettes.  All bison served in the restaurant comes from Custer's Bison population.  They also have artist in residence in the hotel gift shop.

The Grace Coolidge General Store is your first stop for all gifts, merchandise and camping supplies for your Custer State Park Adventure.

Things to do in Game Lodge Area:
- Peter Norbeck Visitor Center: Josh Ford worked at this VC - it is your go-to source for all things Custer, from the ecology, Junior Naturalist program, Gold Panning demonstrations, park history...A must stop in Custer.
- Picnic areas - there are numerous picnic areas in the Game Lodge area where you can take in the scenery, breathing in the fresh mountain air.
- Buffalo Safari Jeep Rides and Chuck Wagon Cookout: takes you from State Game Lodge to the park's backcountry, an exciting open air adventure to see park wildlife, with educational and historic commentary.
-Mountain Bike Rentals
-Nightly Programs in the Barn
-Hiking: Get into the backcountry - hike The Lover's Leap Trail, Creekside Path...
Book your vacation to Custer State Park for 2014.  The State Game Lodge is booked up months to years in advance, so plan accordingly. 
-The Wildlife Loop - start the wildlife loop (18 miles) from State Game Lodge, through prairie wild land up to Blue Bell then back again. You'll be treated to Begging Burros, Pronghorn, Mule Deer and Prairie Dogs

For more information about planning your Custer vacation:
http://www.custerresorts.com

And don't forget to pick up your copy of 'Murder in Custer State Park.'