Hail Yes

Hail drops. It is one step removed from snow. I am taking bets that as the snow magnet we will have snow before we leave here. Today was a needed break as we went through Spearfish Canyon scenic byway on Thursday.

This meant getting up early and heading about an hour and a half north of here. We started at the end of the drive Cheyenne Crossing and ended in Spearfish where the trail begins. This was the plan because the most strenuous and IMO the most beautiful falls is Roughlock Falls. There is a two-mile round-trip path to the bottom of the falls, and back again the path is paved and fairly level until you encounter three very steep inclines at least for a wheelchair. I will have to admitted why they give you the warning not to go down steep inclines because you have to get back up. After I made it down the second incline and saw the third incline I turned around and headed back up. Smart decision. ( I almost tipped over) So here is two of the pictures I snapped at these from the last viewpoint I could safely navigate.

Before we did the adventure at Roughlock Falls we pulled into a turnout that I don’t know the name of, or if it had a name. The water was amazingly still so I had to take my anytime there is a reflection picture. I also experimented with some Depth of Field zooming in on flowers with the river behind them. I pulled out my chair for this which helped my traverse the whole pullout. I found this yellow and black butterfly flying around my chair landing and taking off

After Roughlock falls we drove to Bridal Veil Falls the pull off for this was on the other side of the road from the falls so, back in the chair and off I roll to take some photos and a short video.

Like I said earlier I’m glad this was at the end of the canyon byway.

On the way home we stopped by Sturgis which sure looks and sounds quiet. The Biker Rally isn’t until August, so Sturgis feels like a small town that it is. We did a quick run through Wildlife loop (buffalo were on the wrong side of road for photos). before heading to dinner and a show the play was at the Black Hills Playhouse which is in Custer State Park. The dress rehearsal performance is give a donation, and you can see the play.

Pulling in after dark we were treated to deer grazing in the campground, there was about 12-15 on both sides of the driveway.

We’ve been in one spot for over a week now, this feels good. I’m looking forward to some fun this summer.

A Day for Catching UP

After a drive down to Hot Springs SD for some things I had to do at the VA. We decided to kick back and relax sorta the trailer had to get cleaned and so did I. I spent the remainder of the day visiting with 2 parrots and watching Roy help a complete newbie figure out what was wrong with their trailer. Sometimes the fix is the simplest thing, a blown circuit breaker. Once that was fixed her thing worked.

I’ve been to a few VA hospitals and clinics but nothing compares to the VA facility in Hot Springs SD. It was built in 1907 and most of those buildings are still in use. It is on a bluff overlooking Hot Springs. It was originally a Sanitarium and used the medicinal waters of the hot springs to treat anything from lung problems to skin issues. Battle Mountain Sanitarium as it was called only cost $150,000 for construction and another $20,000 for equipment. Pricey for that day and age. Today It serves Veterans with mental health, kidney dialysis, TBIs, and an urgent care. As for how I was treated everyone was attentive and very helpful, which was refreshing. I plan on going back down to this VA and will take pictures of the grounds to share. I did get one picture of the grounds. There was this lone white lily.

After getting one prescription and trying to figure out how to get another prescription filled, we decided to do lunch. I have not stopped at a DQ for lunch in a long time, today was the day.

On the ride home we stopped by a known hang out for prairie dogs and of course my camera was out and snapping photos. He was just sitting there like a potato. It summed up how I felt after a long day of waiting around. I did see some prairie dog porn but didn’t photograph it. I have to say they are interesting to watch but the holes are everywhere busy colony for sure. This colony is on the way to Wind Cave National Park. I can and probably will sit for hours watching these little ones play and run around this trip.

We try and drive wildlife loop at every opportunity this trip around seemed like it was going to be a bust. (plus I forgot the apples for the burros). We get to one of the visitor’s centers and haven’t seen ANY buffalo which is rare. So, after taking a short cut and still seeing no buffalo I almost give up hope. We turn a corner, and it seemed like the whole herd was there. Interesting that they were this far away from the usual stomping grounds. We stayed here moving a few feet every time, some because of my picture taking but mostly because the buffalo own the road. You don’t go until they say you go.

We also decided to take some interactive pictures of a few of the brave prairie dogs next to the buffalo.

It felt good to sit back and relax today. Next, we check out some water falls on our drive of Spearfish Canyon.

I Promise

I promise this summer will not be all about buffalo I will throw in other things. Like these deer we found on our way to the Fairburn Agate fields. But the creek rose, and we couldn’t get there from here. More on that later.

run Bambi run

Fairburn South Dakota is a very small town, think ghost town with a few people still living. We wanted to go see the agate bed outside of town but had to ask for directions. There were people outside cleaning up the school. You guessed it go down over yonder see the yellow trailer on that road. I asked what’s out there and is it worth going down a dirt road to see. Their response was depends what you are looking for. Click here to find out some basic information on the town. Here is the Facebook page

Roy and I said what the hey it is worth checking out. The road itself was good to drive even though it was gravel. We saw lots of cows and grasslands we were in Buffalo Gap Grasslands and no buffalo. As Roy said it was a well-maintained road to nowhere with no outlet. One way in one way out.

So, we head down this road to the campground and the agate fields but even with the four-wheel drive we would have floated. No one mention a river crossing. Roy did not want to risk it as the water looked quite deep. I have to say I’m glad. We are here 3 months so maybe it will become easier to cross.

I think the easiest way to get a Fairburn Agate is to go to the rock show in Fairburn this weekend. I’m including a Wikipedia link explaining the agates and an article about where to find them.

Fairburn Agates (And Where To Find Them!)

I know this summer we will be finding some off the beating path adventures to share.

Where the Buffalo Roam

or Don’t stand so close to me. We have settled in put phone troubles behind us and are making lemonade. (with limited internet gives more practice with the camera. After taking a couple days to unpack and slow down we are getting around to finding buffalo and driving roads to nowhere. The photos I took are a little of this and A LOT of this. When we were here last time they were in the process of building another visitor center. This center is by the area where the fall round-up of buffalo occur. This is an event that happens in fall allows rangers to check the health of the buffalo. Here is a link to info Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival | South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks (sd.gov) Maybe next year we can stay for it.

Again there is a ton of babies in the park.

We even saw some pronghorn lying next to buffalo. Although there has not been a sign of the burros. We have only been around wildlife loop once. The Prairie Dogs are active and I see an afternoon in my chair photographing these buggers.

The moms are still protective of the little ones it nice to see the bonds develop. Although like any kids you can watch them and try to keep them out of trouble until one of them juts in front of the car. Roy did miss it, all I could think of was look both ways before you cross the street. It was quite funny the way we were creeping up to get by ths camper I was thinking I bet one of them are going to run out in front of us. Here is the video.

Look both ways

I think the buffalo wanted a challenge but thought better of it when they realized Roy was bigger then them.

Chicken anyone?

Just in the time we were going down wild life loop we saw more prong horns than all of last trip through the park. Not in the same area but the we did see praire dogs

The best part of seeing the buffalo were sharing the road with them. We had a large one close to us and I wanted to get just the head of it. The interesting thing is if you look into his eye you see the reflection of our jeep. I am looking for more close encounters this year.

Not the Tunnel of Love

But it was a tunnel, all 11,112 ft of it. The Eisenhower tunnel outside of Denver is a feat in itself. The tunnel consists of two bore holes, the west bound tunnel (Eisenhower) was started in 1968 and completed in 1973. The east bound tunnel (Edwin C Johnson) was started in 1975 and completed in 1979. Today, if you have hazmat materials or you are too tall for the tunnel, you have to go 9.1 miles out of your way. This road has hairpin turns and you go over Loveland pass on US 6 the elevation is 11,991. In reality, the tunnel was short, but it made an interesting impression on me. If you want to learn more, click here https://codot.gov/travel/ejmt

Well, you’ve now read the apex of the day, so how we got there is also interesting. We left Fruita Co bright and early so we could travel all day through some beautiful scenery. I have to say I was impressed to still see some snow on the side of the road. Even more impressed that we got to drive through slush. Had we been a little later in the day, it would have been snow. I am the snow magnet and that’s a fact. Aside from the slush I could not believe the amount of people and houses on the mountain. Going through Vail, Roy commented that it used to be a small ski town. Not anymore there is a West Vail, downtown, and East Vail.

Driving next to the Colorado River and seeing the high water level, I know that means gains in ground water. there will be plenty of ground water for us. We even saw a few rafters on the river.

After arriving at our home away from home for 3 months, we found that our cell and hotspot are very limited. Other than the cell service and nightly rain. We made the right choice. Today was our first trip around wildlife loop and yes, I’ve seen some buffalo. Pictures and video to come soon.