Switchgrass School

The past week was a fun one for sure! We spent Tuesday through Friday out in the Hills with Keith’s family. We left super early Tuesday morning after doing chores.  We actually got out the door at ten after five which is impressive for us.  I said we would be gone by five, thinking it would be 5:30, but we did pretty darn well with our time.  

About halfway across the scenic state of South Dakota, we got a call that our heifers were out on the highway.  Of course.  Never happens when you are actually home.  Thankfully, a nice neighbor got them back in for us because I was not turning that car around.  We pushed on through, only stopping for bathroom breaks, and pulled into Rapid around 11 a.m. Mountain Time.  We then met the rest of the crew out at Sylvan Lake.

It was nice to get out of the car, and the two mile hike around the lake is always a favorite of mine. After that, we went into Custer for some lunch, and finished the day with the Wildlife Loop.  Again, I always love driving the loop.  We didn’t see a ton of animals, but did see one burro, some antelope, and a bunch of bison and prairie dogs.  We also stopped at the Bison Center, which just opened this past spring.  It was so nice, and I seriously want to take that building and make it my house.  

That night, the girls got to run around with Keith’s nieces, Josie and Stevie, and the adults got to relax for a bit.  The house we rented was huge, and it had more than enough room for everyone, which was very nice!

Wednesday we had tickets to take the 1880 Train.  The girls and I have never gotten to take the train before as we usually visit the Hills during the off season. We took the train from Hill City to Keystone and then had a few hours to kill in Keystone before taking the train back.  The girls had some hot tub time when we got back to the cabin, and Keith’s cousin and his family, who now live in Box Elder, came out for supper.  Super fun day.

Thursday was probably my favorite day, even if it did get off to a rocky start.  Keith and I decided to get up a bit earlier and have coffee in the hot tub and watch the sun rise.  Very relaxing experience until Keith realized he had his phone in his trunks’ pocket … He has been without a phone since then, and it is starting to get annoying.  We brought the phone to a repair place in Sioux Falls.  Fingers crossed they can fix it somehow.

Anywho, after the phone dunking of 2022, we took off for Spearfish Canyon. 13 people in three vehicles, a convoy for sure!

 This was Keith’s first time through the canyon, and we both agreed it was our favorite part of the trip.  Our first stop was Roughlock Falls, and I had never been up there before!  So, so pretty!  We did a little hiking and had a picnic at the top of the falls.  Then the group split up as we wanted to do more hiking, Rick and Glenda had to have their tire looked at in Spearfish, and the rest of the crew wanted to check out the cemetery in Deadwood.

Keith, the girls and I kept on down the road to Spearfish. We stopped at Bridal Veil Falls and did some off roading and hiked up to the falls. Once we got to Spearfish, we checked out the fish hatchery.  The last time the girls and I were there the buildings were not open, so this time we were able to check out the whole shebang. The whole day was a little rainy, but it was still my favorite.

Friday we started back home.  We stopped at Wall Drug and then also at the 1880s Town, which was another first for me.  I figure since adulthood I have been out to the Hills at least a dozen times, so it is always fun to find something new to do.

It was a short but sweet trip, and the girls say the whole trip was their favorite part, so I say the 2022 Olsen Family Vacay was a success! Now, where to next year …