Hills Trip

On Friday 9.5.08 we went to the Hills to get groceries and to enjoy a day off together! We took the girls on a walk in Spearfish park, and just enjoyed the wonderful fall weather. One of the places we stopped at, is called the "Open Cut" and it's in Lead. We had never been there before, and were glad to stop and see some history. It was so nice to not have to rush around, because we were planning on staying at Painter's ranch on the river at Belle Fourche. After going to the Open Cut, we went to play a round of mini golf at Gulches of Fun in Deadwood. We were the only crazy ones there, since it was so cold! We had a blast though, and Nathan almost got beat by his wife, but ended up getting a hole in one right at the end! Trust me, he was getting a little nervous! haha. We ended our driving tour around the Northern Hills, got the oil changed and tires rotated, and then headed to the "Branding Iron", a great steakhouse by Belle. We hadn't been out to eat at a good steakhouse in a long time, so we had a wonderful time together. After that huge meal, we headed to Painters to turn in for the night. We stayed in the Cow Camp, it's a barn with living quarters in it. Shower, little kitchen, loft, and bed, decorated in barn wood, and then they have their cabing to stay in too. It's so nice, and we appreciated getting to stay there!

On Saturday we got up early to drive East to Nisland, so that I could attend the SD Bow Hunter Safety Course! You have to have this course to bow hunt, and since I am going to harvest my antelope with my bow, I needed this! Nathan wouldn't overlook it I guess, so now I am "legal"! haha. The class went from 8 a.m. to 4 in the afternoon! It was fun, and they had a huge turnout of around 40 people! It's good to see that many young kids interested in archery! We got done with the course, and headed home. Painters rent out the trailer house that is across from our house for hunters, and until Wednesday there are 3 guys staying there. Kind of turns our routine in a different direction for a little bit, but it's fun to talk with out of staters, and to get their reaction on antelope and deer hunting in Harding County.
This was also taken on Friday 9.5.08 above Terry Peak! This is another place we had never been to, but I can tell you it's a place we're going back to again! It was around 40 degrees with lots of wind WAY up there! As you can see, I was glad I packed my winter coat! They have an observation tower you climb, and then you see throughout the Hills. We could point out lots of areas being that high! We didn't stay long, because it was freezing! Friday and Saturday flew right on by, and today Nathan is working since he took Friday off. I'm so glad the fall weather is here, and I can't believe that we've already turned our heat on at night! Over on the river bottom, where Painters live, it's already froze! All the signs are pointing to an early winter, I guess we'll find out soon enough! Enjoy the wonderful weather!