Dakota memories

Traveling slowly through the by-ways of South Dakota has brought back so many memories of my childhood, growing up on the prairies of North Dakota.  I had almost forgotten what it's like to be able to see endlessly across waving fields of grass, how big the sky is when it arches from the horizon in an azure dome, cloudless and of a divine, achingly beautiful blue, how lonely the sound of a train whistle can be from miles away, the smell of the sage scented winds strong and unyielding, the clear uninterrupted sound of the meadowlark, and the rhythm of the summer heat as it pulses from the earth.  I find myself just living in each moment as the miles roll slowly by, memories and new adventures down the road mingling into one thought.

    Some high points....spending time with a ranching family, whose ranch has been in the family since 1891, meeting their little girl, an eye cancer survivor, who offered us cookies, and we ended up being hosted by her gramma that night as she spontaneously offered us a bed and a shower.  Or the party we created at the bar in Highmore, where when we told them it was my birthday, the locals kept buying us drinks (yes, too many drinks...)and we played pool and darts, having come in as strangers, leaving with hugs and friendship all around.  Sleeping on the floor of a fellow musician's house, getting treated to a Brahms piano piece played by him before bed, and a great breakfast served by his friend the next morning. 

  Also, we have become quite the sensation among the equine and bovine roadside populations.  We get the strangest looks, sometimes just pricked ears and questioning eyes (what the....?), sometimes causing  an outright stampede along the fence line as we ride by.

Amazing people and amazing experiences, sprinkled with severe heat (105 dgrees!!) and exhaustion has made for all the adventure we could ask for in South Dakota!  

Visiting Laura Ingalls Wilder home in De Smet today, actually staying in a cabin on the original homestead!

Can't you just hear them...."What in the world..did you see that weird thing on the road?  What the.....???"

Sweet Sarah, showing us true hospitality

Along with Gramma Ruby!

Balanced bikes, taking a break on the hot prairie.

First glimpse of the might Missouri

Camping on the banks of the Missouri, thinking about Lewis and Clark...did they camp here too?

The actual house that Pa built!