Moving On...

And as fall approaches, and the leaves begin to change, we part with this beautiful place.  The circumstances that have led us here only continue to remind us that nothing happens by chance.  

Loss strikes hardest with those we love...and whether by choice or circumstance, its never easy to let go of those we care about.  For all those who have inspired and shared moments or years with us, thank you.  All we have is now.  Don't put things off, life is short, enjoy each and every moment of it. 

Blue Bell

After a day of riding the many trails in the park, come saddle up for a drink at the bar.  Also, our home over the past couple months, the lodge and surrounding area includes quite a bit of 'cowboy' charm and gorgeous wilderness along French Creek.

Not only was it hard to leave such a beautiful place, but also the amazing people that make everything run smoothly behind the scenes.  You are all lovely, and we hope to see you here or there sometime again in future.  

Until we meet again...cheers!

The Round-up

Every year the park rounds up as many of the buffalos as they can in order to brand and innoculate the young and cull the herd.  If you've ever been around a buffalo herd, you'd know they don't really like being herded.  This year went pretty smoothly, no injuries that we know of.

Life in Custer

After originally coming to South Dakota for a family reunion, we ended up sticking around and taking seasonal jobs in Custer State Park. The Black Hills area has been a beautiful place to call home for a bit.  This limited prairie terrain (less than 2% still remains) is home to a lot of wildlife to which we've been lucky to experience on a daily basis.  It almost takes you back in time, seeing the herds of buffalo meandering these hills.  It makes you want to race a horse across them, right along the ridgelines...or maybe that's just me. :)

racing with pronghorn

some days are harder to get to work than others

Sturgis

The 71st annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.  The population goes from 7,000 to 700,000 for a week duration.  In other words, it's like Edison during Oyster Run on steroids...but way more risque.  From burnouts, to topless bull riding, "midget bowling" and 5am pickle contests...I don't think anything here is off limits. 

by day

by night

at The Knuckle Saloon they take volunteers from the crowd, women included, to fight each other

Full Throttle: biggest biker bar in the world.
They even have a reality show to showcase all the drama.

Jason, Stu and Dan
a dangerous trio to go out drinking with

Deadwood

Made it to Deadwood for the Days of '76 Rodeo.

"Best Rodeo. No Bull."  

ouch.

Harney Peak

elevation: 7242 ft

"highest point east of the Rocky Mountains and west of the Pyrenees Mountains of Europe"