Hot in the Hills

It was another great week in the Hills.  Although I didn't get any running in I did manage to get to Rapid and pick up a couple of pairs of running shorts (yes shorts) and a running skirt.  It's gotten hot here so I thought I needed some new duds that may keep me cooler.  I've also started wearing hats when hiking and riding.  So a running hat may have to be next.

I've got the best husband ever!  He drove all the way out to the Hills (7 hours) just to go on our first Trail Riders of the Black Hills, Inc. trail ride.  We rode Saturday and had 19 riders.  It was a good ride with some steep climbs and rocks but the horses handled it well.  Especially since it was over 5 hours too.

Sunday I hiked with friends to Harney Peak for the second time this summer.  We started early to avoid the heat and had an absolutely beautiful morning to go.  Made it up in about 90 minutes.  Harney Peak has an old unused fire lookout station on top of it and the most popular hike in the hills.  It's just over 3 miles one way and is the highest peak between the Rocky Mountains and the Swiss Alps.  It offers some of the most stunning views in the Hills and the only way to it is by foot or horseback.  Today we had a special treat at the top......a mountain goat!  I've been to Harney a dozen times and never have seen a goat there.

In the afternoon I did the Custer Tour of Gardens.  It was better this year.  No "rock gardens" or plastic flowers like last year.  LOL!  It was a good week!

How long before poinson ivy kicks in?

That's it.  That's my blog post.  LOL!  So we attempted to find the Hippie Hole today.  We didn't.  My fault.  I know that when hiking back country even in South Dakota to be prepared.  Water, first aid, food, shock blocks, headlight, GPS, a well thought out plan...yadda yadda yadda.....  I had water and food.  No GPS and no well thought out plan.  Idiot.  And pretty much all of the hike was through lots and lots of poison ivy.  I never knew what it looked like before but I do now!  And we all wore shorts.  YEA!

While we didn't find the hippie hole we did find a neat little spot where two stream converged.  One stream was literally warm water and the other was cold!  It was really odd but fun.  And very pretty.  Why I didn't take any photos is beyond me.  Again idiot.  And of course when we hiked out we did NOT end up at where we left the car.  Oh no we ended up at the SD Children's Home and ended up calling someone to come get us to take us back to our car.  Sigh.....


So here is where we were and where we should have been...You have to click on the larger map to see all our points.

View Hippie Hole Adventure in a larger map


The good news is that my friends are still speaking to me and actually want to try to find the Hippie Hole again.  Supposedly there is a 30' rock cliff there you can jump off and into the water.  Next time I'll take the GPS, have a better plan and take pictures!!  And wear pants for the poison ivy.

Where has the month gone? Having Fun!

Where has it  gone???  I'll tell ya!  It's been filled with working, company, and running around the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota which is where I live for half of the year.

I spent a week playing tour guide to two of my Bottom Dweller friends from New York City.  We went everywhere and did everything from hiking, biking, wild life viewing, rock scrambling, rodeo and caving.  Our kids Mark & Lindsey came for the weekend of the 4th of July and we did some more hiking and exploring and rodeoing.  Doug, my husband has been here for over 2 weeks so you can also throw in several trail rides we did.  And cooking!!  I've had a renewed interest in cooking this last month and have been making a lot of new dishes.  My fav so far???  Mexican corn on the cob.  YUMMMY.  Doug just left to head back to SUX and as much as I hate to see him go, I need the time to myself to get caught up on work!!  He's coming back next weekend for a trail ride the Trail Riders of the Black Hills is doing. 

But today is Saturday and a beautiful day that's not meant to be spent inside.   So I'm going to hit the Michelson Trail this morning with a couple of friends and do some biking.  Then we might check out the logging competition in Hill City before heading to Keystone to hike to the Hippie Hole to maybe go swimming!  I'm excited for today!  I haven't been on my bike yet this summer and as I'm a biker at heart (not a runner) this will be fun.  The Hippie Hole I've never been to and I think it's going to be one of those hidden jewels in the Hills that few people know about.  Plus I'm excited about seeing some friends I have seen for a while and hearing what's new in their lives!

Tomorrow I'll probably go for a trail run (yes I'm still trying to run) and then go for a trail ride in the afternoon with one of my neighbors who's been working way too much at Crazy Horse this summer and needs some down time.  I may also take the kayak out and check out a new spot.  (have I mentioned I want to get a paddleboard???) 

I am regretting that I'm missing my 25th high school class reunion this weekend and seeing my brother who is also back in Wayne, NE for his 40th class reunion and Wayne's Chicken Days.  I'm hoping my facebook classmates will post lots of pics and updates.

Well off to load up the SUV for today's adventures!