I often take a spring drive of several hundred miles across the prairies of western South Dakota. It’s a great way to shake off my annual case of cabin fever – caused by wintering in the dark corner of the valley I call home. Don’t get me wrong. I love my little piece of the [...]
{More»} Outdoor Adventure
The Crazy Horse Volksmarch held the first full weekend in June (June 1-2, 2013) is considered one of the most popular organized hikes in the United States with over 10,000 annually making the trek. There’s a start, and a finish line 10 kilometers away but when you arrive at either one isn’t the point of [...]
Being awestruck by the beautiful formations this time around. The kids were very excited to return to what they have deemed “Dinosaur land”, in part due to the animatronic T-Rex at Wall Drug in Wall, and partly due to the fossils they saw when we did a quick trip around Fossil Trail. Our first stop [...]
Weekend came around once again and it was time for a new adventure. In all the years we lived in South Dakota we have never explored the Badlands…and with a perfect 65 degrees afternoon in front of us, now it is time! Being familiar with the layout of the Badlands National Park loop we decided [...]
Chris “Tater Tot” Pelczarski, 30 — The climber, caver, storyteller, and Chicago transplant chimes in on rock climbing in the Black Hills and the importance of enjoying what you do. I had never seen a cattle guard. I was like, “what’s that metal thing on the road?” I didn’t even know there were [...]
Seeing Eye to Eye With a Legend | Crazy Horse Volksmarch (June 1-2, 2013)»
The Crazy Horse Volksmarch held the first full weekend in June (June 1-2, 2013) is considered one of the most popular organized hikes in the United States with over 10,000 annually making the trek. There’s a start, and a finish line 10 kilometers away but when you arrive at either one isn’t the point of [...]
Family Adventures in the Badlands: Part 2»
Being awestruck by the beautiful formations this time around. The kids were very excited to return to what they have deemed “Dinosaur land”, in part due to the animatronic T-Rex at Wall Drug in Wall, and partly due to the fossils they saw when we did a quick trip around Fossil Trail. Our first stop [...]
Hiking Custer State Park: An abundance of wildlife»
South Dakota was recently named one of 10 best destinations in the world for wildlife viewing and Custer State Park is the main reason it made such an exclusive list. A drive on the Wildlife Loop Road through the park almost never disappoints but with over 71,000 acres to explore its best to park the [...]
Seeing Eye to Eye With a Legend | Crazy Horse Volksmarch (June 1-2, 2013)»
The Crazy Horse Volksmarch held the first full weekend in June (June 1-2, 2013) is considered one of the most popular organized hikes in the United States with over 10,000 annually making the trek. There’s a start, and a finish line 10 kilometers away but when you arrive at either one isn’t the point of [...]
Pow Wows a Splendid Way to Enter Native American World»
Next week (April 8-14) is American Indian Awareness Week at Black Hills State University in Spearfish. Events include the Kevin Whirlwind Horse Memorial Walk/Run, a free buffalo feed, a roster of speakers and the week’s premiere event – the 30th annual Lakota Omniciye Wacipi (pow wow). It’s all open to the public and offers many [...]
Black Hills events for the Car-centric»
A few weeks ago, I visited Dave Geisler out in Murdo, whose Pioneer Auto Show I consider a phenomenon particularly attune to the South Dakota way of life. There’s something about living under our vast prairie skies that brings out the exceptional side of human nature. Dave’s roadside attraction of 42 buildings filled with remarkable [...]
Stones, Bones and Automobiles»
I often take a spring drive of several hundred miles across the prairies of western South Dakota. It’s a great way to shake off my annual case of cabin fever – caused by wintering in the dark corner of the valley I call home. Don’t get me wrong. I love my little piece of the [...]
Family Adventures in the Badlands: Part 2»
Being awestruck by the beautiful formations this time around. The kids were very excited to return to what they have deemed “Dinosaur land”, in part due to the animatronic T-Rex at Wall Drug in Wall, and partly due to the fossils they saw when we did a quick trip around Fossil Trail. Our first stop [...]
Touring the Groomers of the Big Hill Trails»
I spent my Saturday discovering the allure of cross-country skiing in the Black Hills with the desire to offer a snapshot of the area through the activity. My company on this trip was Pam, a downhill skier. I’m always delighted when I talk someone into a new outdoor excursion with me, mainly because many of [...]
