South Dakota, September 2021

We went to the Black Hills of South Dakota in 2019 looking for Rocky Raccoon. While we were there having burgers, Ted and Karen and Susan and I signed up for 2 weeks at the end of September 2020 at The Game Lodge Campground in Custer State Park. We would be there for the annual Buffalo Roundup. (They are Bison). Several other Foretravelers also signed up.

Then Covid got going, Ted and Karen sold their coach, Ed and Deb took part of their time, Keith and Jo took the rest, several canceled because of Covid. In the end, there were five Foretravels there. Our friends from California, Richard and Betty and Sven and Kristi we’re among those who canceled but they rescheduled their time for September 2021. So Susan and I signed up for as much time as we could get at the same time in 2021.

So here comes 2021. Between all else going on for us in the summer of 2021 we were ready to go. Sven and Kristi had second thoughts due to Covid and backed out. More friends from California, Chuck and Lynda took their time.

Confused? Lots of shuffling. The gang was set. Roger and Susan, Richard and Betty, and Chuck and Lynda. No one got there on the same day and we all left on different days. And then Chris and Elka from Arkansas called, they were in a nearby campground. Now there were four Foretravels.

We drove around the Wildlife Loop and saw lots of Bison. Most that were going to be “Round-Up” were here waiting. Maybe 1500 by the Park Ranger’s estimate

Some up close.

Some burros.

Susan and I brought Canadian Walleye for a sit-down fish fry. Everyone brought something to share and there was plenty. Even treats for the dogs.

Richard and Chuck and I bought fishing licenses and went up the Grace Coolidge Stream towards Center Lake there are 5 small dams along the way built by the CCC in the 1930s.

I tried along the rock wall from the dam. Chuck and Richard were on the side of the pool above the dam.

It was a beautiful day. Then we caught a fish! Now it was a great day. And another fish and another. Maybe a dozen or a baker’s dozen. One came off my hook just as I was landing it. We all threw back a small one or two. We ended up with 7 good-sized rainbow trout, eating size. Chuck jumped right in and cleaned them up. We brought them back, tossed them in the freezer ready for lunch the next day.

Good thing, he was an expert.

Richard and Betty and Susan and I went to the Art Festival. It was mostly arts and crafts stuff, nothing we needed to have but lunch. Richard had his very first corn dog. I think he liked it.

Over on the other side of the State Park there is an old Lodge, the Blue Bell Lodge. It is a rustic log structure. Susan and I had eaten there before and it was good so we all went over there one day for lunch. I had a nice Buffalo Stew, Susan had Macaroni and Cheese. All good.

Mostly this time was about seeing friends and spending time with them. We had a very nice time, the people were wonderful, the weather was amazing. Leaves on the trees changed color while we were there.

It was a pleasant break for us in what had been a summer full of many other distractions. We needed it. And there was more coming up before we could leave for Fredericksburg.

More Later, Much Love,

Roger and Susan