We’re only traveling a couple hundred miles and we’ll be back home in just two days. But I’m a little bit scared. Most of the drive is familiar – south on Hwy. 44 to Interior and into the Badlands. Then back up to the Interstate, east to Kadoka, on through Murdo and a turn north [...]
{More»} Outdoor Adventure
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 [...]
All through the Hills, the ice is going out. On Spearfish Creek, Rapid Creek, Box Elder, Spring and Castle Creek, the cold, clear mountain water is bubbling through the cracks and over the thin sheen of spring ice. And in the deeper stream pockets, browns and brookies are stirring as newly hatched swarms of insects [...]
Nothing better than the smell of the awakening forest, as the pines begin to scent the air and translucent pasque flowers shyly show themselves in the sunlit nooks and crannies along the trail. In fits and starts, spring is coming to the Black Hills. And while every season in the Black Hills is beautiful, spring [...]
An afternoon in the Grasslands»
We’re only traveling a couple hundred miles and we’ll be back home in just two days. But I’m a little bit scared. Most of the drive is familiar – south on Hwy. 44 to Interior and into the Badlands. Then back up to the Interstate, east to Kadoka, on through Murdo and a turn north [...]
Family Adventures in the Badlands: Part 1»
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 [...]
Passage of Wind & Water to join Hills sculpture legacy»
Search for the sculpture capitol of the world on a map and you could find yourself pointing to the Black Hills. Already home to the world’s two largest outdoor sculptures, Crazy Horse and Mt. Rushmore, the Black Hills is now also home to the largest privately funded public art project underway in the United States [...]
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 [...]
Racing Presidents Redux»
They came. They saw. The Black Hills conquered. Okay, maybe conquered is a little too strong, but the Washington Nationals’ Racing Presidents were absolutely thrilled with their three-day tour of our beautiful region. Of course, since it was Presidents Day weekend, the go-to spot was Mount Rushmore National Memorial, where the five Racing Presidents (George [...]
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 [...]
Baby, It’s Dark Outside»
We’ve finally made it past the shortest day of the year, but if you’re like me it’s dark before you go to work and dark when you get off of work. A quick Google search tells me it would take an act of Congress to abolish Daylight Saving Time. I’m not holding my breath. So in the [...]
A few of my favorite (holiday) things»
The older I get, the more I like to buy gifts that will surprise family members and friends. In other words, don’t tell me you need socks, or new cookware. I’m won’t pitch in for new skis or add to your Denver Bronco football collection. And I’m certainly not giving you a gift card or [...]
