Amy and Kurts Wanderings

I was a bit worried about what the weather would be like today as they were forecasting storms off and on all day. Got up and checked the forecast and it said we should be good this morning. Took a shower and looked out the window and it was so foggy I couldn't see the hotel across the street. So had a quick breakfast and got ready to go dreading this drive, looked out the window again and it had cleared up. It was weird but I wasn't going to complain! Hit the road about 8:00 and clear drive all the way to Sioux Falls, no problems. Made a stop at Last Stop and lunch at Culvers. Highlight of the day for me was a stop at the new Kwik Star in Brandon! Mike got me into Kwik Star when we were in Iowa. They are the most amazing gas station. I love their flavored waters and it is the only place I have found them. It was crazy busy and I wanted to get home so just a quick stop for some waters. I look forward going back and exploring (yes, a gas station... am I getting old? excite...

  So originally our plan was to do the Black Elk Peak hike this morning. This is a 7 mile hike up to the highest peak in South Dakota. We decided we are tired and our legs are tired and maybe we would just prefer to start a slow trip home.  Started by going out to breakfast at Our Place. Is was just about across the street from our house. The food was very good although they were very slow. By the time we left we had 20 minutes to pack up and check out of the house. We walked out at 9:58 - 2 minutes to spare. Drove to Hill City and walked around just a little. Mom wanted me to get some t-shirts for her so stopped for those. Back on the road and figured we would just travel until we were tired. We ran into some light rain around the Badlands and realized rain and no air are not a good mix. The windows fogged up and no defrost. Thankfully it never got too bad. The further we went the darker it was getting. Kurt pulled up the weather and it looked like we could run into some bad ...

Reservations this morning for Jewel Cave so we were out the house around 8:00. We did the Scenic Tour which is about an hour and a half, 1/2 mile loop, with 734 stairs. It was a great tour! Our tour guide, Ranger Maya, was excellent. A couple interesting facts we learned. First, the bats only enter the first 1,000 yards at the historic entrance to the cave. If they were to go further, they would get lost. The cave is said to house around 1400 bats. Also, they do overnight caving expeditions, I think she said like 3 nights. There is a local caving club they team with. Of course you need to be certified and they are also mapping and doing research, it isn't just for fun. I don't think I would enjoy it. They have little camps set up with sleeping bags, water collection sites, and the basics. You need to carry in everything else on your person. They can't wear backpacks due to the small spaces so they have packs on their sides. Also, when they say you need to carry everything o...

I love this man!!! And street truck nachos!!!! That is all. Good night!

Actually slept in this morning - 6:40!!! Didn't sleep the greatest last night so hopefully will go better tonight! This morning for breakfast we just walked across the street to the grocery store for donuts and some fruit.  Headed out for Sunday Gulch hike. We stopped at the Custer Visitor Center first to see if they had a map of Custer State Park - which of course they did. They lady working was super nice and helpful. She actually gave us a couple maps and told us a bit about the hikes I was thinking of doing. Kurt found a Hiking in the Black Hills book. It has some great info, will come in handy this trip and future ones! Sunday Gulch leaves from Sylvan Lake. You hike about a half mile of the Lakeshore Trail to the start of Sunday Gulch. Total it's about a 4 miles hike. When you first start out you are climbing down huge boulders with railings and some steps to help. I am quite glad we went down them as I think coming up would have been even more difficult. The granite walls...

  Another amazing vacation day in the books. Actually slept really good despite all my sampling last night. But still up around 6:00. I just can't seem to sleep in! Got ready and went to The Mud Hole for breakfast. Very, very good little dive.  I had the Mud Bog - eggs, potatoes, sausage, and cheese biscuit smothered in sausage gravy. Yum, Yum!!! Back to the hotel to pack up and start the day. Went to Landstrom's Black Hills Gold Factory Outlet for their free tour. I figured it would be like the time shares where they draw you in with something free then sic their high pressure sales people on you. It was actually an awesome tour and everyone was very nice and gracious. I have a whole new appreciation for Black Hills gold. I couldn't believe all the steps and people involved in making one piece of jewelry. Each piece is truly hand made. It was also very interesting that they had special sinks with filters to collect any loose gold from washing tools or your hands. They vacu...

 I don't know what my husband has done to me. Awake at 5:30 this morning! I remember my parents getting upset with me for sleeping into the afternoon! Breakfast isn't served until 8:00 so slowly got ready and had a coffee cake for an appetizer. Breakfast was just downstairs from our room - Kurt had pancakes and I had biscuits and gravy. They were both fine. I was surprised that there were maybe 8 tables and the same lady was the cook and waitress. She did a great job, better than some waitresses I have had that only have to serve! Back to the room to pack up and headed back into the Badlands. We decided we weren't going to stop at all the overlooks as we have done that before but we just drove through and only stopped at our hike.  I decided I wanted to try doing Saddle Pass (and usually Kurt goes along whether he really wants to or not...). It is only like .3 miles but it is pretty much straight up. The last time we stopped there I didn't even attempt it, Kurt went abo...