Around six months ago my cousin Steve called, asking about sights to see in the Spearfish, SD, area. He and some friends were spending a week at Elkhorn Ridge Resort. We promptly invited ourselves along. We were going to be in South Dakota anyway. Why not enjoy some extra time with family? Plus, since we were based out of the southern Black Hills last year, the Spearfish and northern Black Hills were still relatively unexplored. We were super delighted when my sister, Kathy, and her family were able to join us for a couple of days.
One of our first excursions was a scenic drive through Spearfish Canyon, circling back through Lead. We stopped at Bridal Veil Falls. It's alongside the road and easily accessible. The next stop was Roughlock Falls, where some of us took the mile long easy hike to view the falls. Then it was a stop at the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center. Situated on the half mile-wide, 1200 ft deep open cut, the visitor center exhibits cover the mine from gold mining days to its current underground science research days.
That one full day that Kathy and family had here was the hottest day of the week. Even so, it was time for some Jiffy Pop (yes, they still make it!) and ice cream.
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| Family at Roughlock Falls |
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| Real bacon (not turkey bacon) over an open fire |
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| Popping corn |
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| Time to share |
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| Blaine and Kathy plotting the next adventure |
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Ice cream - it's what's for breakfast
Bad Uncle |
Where Are We Going Next?
