The Black Hills Travel Blog

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is a Black Hills native. Growing up just outside of Hill City, his fondest memories involve exploring his Black Hills backyard with his black lab Dodger. Colorado called his name after high school so he moved to the Western Slope where he earned his BA in Mass Communication and raced for the mountain and road cycling programs at Colorado Mesa University. As is the case with countless others, the Black Hills pulled him back in. He recently left the brown cloud of Denver to return home where he works for Black Hills, Badlands & Lakes Association. In his spare time, Mat enjoys pedaling bicycles, playing music, cooking, hiking and trying to be a climber. Email this author



Black Hills Folk Stories: I am a rodeo pickup man

By • Jan 30th, 2013 • Category: Culture

At the Black Hills Stock Show Professional Saddle Bronc Match in Rapid City, all eyes are on the bucking chute—anxiously awaiting that 8-second whistle. The crowd claps and cheers the cowboy’s performance, all the while oblivious to the unspoken heroes in the arena—the pickup men. In a rodeo, the pickup man is tasked with rescuing the cowboy after bronc [...]


Touring the Groomers of the Big Hill Trails

By • Jan 10th, 2013 • Category: Culture, Discoveries, Outdoor Adventure

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

By • Jan 2nd, 2013 • Category: Discoveries, Outdoor Adventure

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 [...]


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