The Great Unwinding

You would know what we’ve been up to these last few days had it not been for the specter of our own singularity stalking us. Passwords, log-ins and wifi, OH MY! On the shores of Lake Harriet in south Minneapolis, sits a little concession stand called “The Bread and Pickle”. Seemed like a good place to start our trip. We met the kids and had some breakfast. Then, after a few more hours of packing and shopping, we hit the road at 3:30. Not bad for a Sunday!

We decided to avoid the big freeway turnpikes and stick to the blue highways as much as possible. Heading west on Highway 212 we crossed the Minnesota prairie. Out past Buffalo Lake, where Bert’s Dad grew up, and Hector, where Gretchen’s Mom grew up, to the border of South Dakota. The sky and air were hazy and the sun was shining red, because, we think, of the extensive wild fires in British Columbia. We found a little state park called Oakwood. Nestled amoung ancient glacial lakes we had our first night’s sleep.

Hazy Sky. Red Sun.

Oakwood campground, the lake just a few yards away. Last day of summer, Sunday night before Labor Day, lots of families, kids, bikes and dogs but very quiet nonetheless. In the morning, breakfast with a great cup of coffee!

Monday, got into the gorgeous Bad Lands.

Drove 12 miles (or so) on a dirt road to get into the rustic Sage Creek Campgroud. Here’s Bert on top of a high bluff; you can see for miles in every direction. Herds of buffalo easily seen from here.

Sage Creek Campground at the west end of the park. No water, never full, free and beautiful!

Two buffalo hang out just outside the camp, and walked through in the early morning.

One of our fellow campers, a cattle rangler, saddle trainer and ferrier. .

Arrived at Custer State Park in SW South Dakota, found a beautiful campsite at Center Lake Campground. Should’ve pulled in rather than backed in. Learned to think about what we want the Vistabule window to face. This?

Or this?

Had a great dinner of salmon and veggies with a beautiful campfire by the creek, we’re starting to unwind.

Saw lots of wildlife as we drove through the park, many very close up — buffalo, deer, prong horned sheep, prairie dogs!

Arrived in LaSalle, Colorado, on Wednesday afternoon, where Bert had his first business, Rural Space Woodworks. We had lots of great times with our friends, Jimmy and Linda, in those days; it has been really fun to see them again and sleep in the Vistabule on their farm.

The old house is still standing, but just barely!

My first workbench suffers the fate that all horizontal surfaces are heir to!