Pullin' Chocks

What's Up in Rapid City, South Dakota?

We arrived August 15 and signed up for a month at the place we love, the Lazy JD Ranch just north of Rapid.  This year we parked next to Suds and Ruthie.  Suds has been to 54 consecutive years of the Sturgis Rally.  He used to race motorcycles with some of the Sturgis originators of the Rally.

 One of Dennis's pastures at the Lazy JD.

Dennis cuts and stores hay for his cattle.

There's Steve with our next door neighbors Suds and Ruthie.  Super nice folks.

Although we have only been here two weeks at this writing it seems longer.  We got the bikes out and have used the kayaks several times and even bought annual fishing licenses.  We had a few hikes and got a visit from Gari's dad Jerry and his friend Yvonne.  We even managed to incorporate a significant trailer repair -- to the cargo tray that rides in the back hitch of the trailer.

Below is Gari at Pactola Lake up by the rock island at the earthen dam.

Gari paddles around the rock island on the way back to the picnic area where we launched.

There is a big American Flag on the highest point of the rock island, very cool!

Gari trolls her lure back toward the picnic area/

Largemouth Success!

Another day and put in at Jenny Gulch on Pactola Lake.

Gari is resting right around that corner...

There she is taking a break in the shade of the trees.

Let's raft up and have some lunch.

 Steve at Lakota Lake.

Pretty little spot up there at Lakota.

 Lakota Lake

 Lakota Lake

Steve fishing on the bank at Lakota Lake.

 That's all at Lakota.

This was a 6.5 mile hike at Iron Mountain.  We filled out the registration form... can be $100 fine if you don't.

Gari leads the way 

 A little cave up there.

We like the majestic granite rocks

We crossed this stream about 7 times.

 A natural granite bridge

We popped out of the forest onto a logging road after about 3 miles.

 A big boulder by the curve in the srteam.

 Looking way up.

Gari by the rocks.

Trees find a way to grow right in the rocks.

Majestic.

Off the logging road and back into the forest.

Big rock.

Steve finishing the loop.

Gari checking the GPS for statistics.

Jerry and Yvonne came into town and we rode up to Mt. Rushmore.

We rode past the monument and stopped at Horsethief Lake for a look.

Jerry went down the fishing line to see what's what.

On the way back we stopped at the Profile rest stop.  That's Yvonne with George.

Jerry and George in profile.

We showed the folks Pactola Lake that we love.

 We saw a classic trailer that Yvonne wants.

Very nostalgic.

On we went to Deadwood, SD and a stop at Boothill.

 We stopped in Keystone, SD for dinner  at Grizzly's.

 A ride into Spearfish Canyon and a stop at Roughlock Falls.  We found a pretty little spot for a picnic.  The water was so clear and cold.

Looking up the canyon wall.

Getting situated for a picnic.

Jerry and Gari checking out Roughlock Falls.

Yvonne climbing up for a really close look at the falls.

Tall canyon wall behind Yvonne and Jerry.

The crew at another viewing platform.

Lastly, below is a before picture of our cargo chest at the back of our trailer.  It is just drooping too much.  When we took the chest off and disassembled the tray, we found the receiver tube had bent badly and was even starting to crack!

This is the after picture.  The receiver tube was increased from 1/8" stock to 1/4" with reinforced walls to 1/2".  The tray and box assembly is no longer the weakest link!

We plan to depart South Dakota after the Labor Day Holiday and head to Moab, Utah via Wyoming and Colorado.  It has been a great month in South Dakota as expected.