Western Trip 2017 Day 6-7

Wednesday

We left Devil's Tower early after another good breakfast at the Hitchin Post Cafe. We drove the easy way back toward Rapid City.  We had to make it into Rapid to pick up our friend John at the airport at noon and then to dog sit our good friends fur kids for the night. 

We did pick up John at the airport at noon and the first order of business was to take him to The Colonial House (CH) restaurant. The Colonial House is an institution in Rapid City as kind of a dinner/bar that has recently moved into a new location. The other reason for going to CH is they make great pies and we promised to bring desserts for the Hang participants.

Afterward John wanted to go and visit Mt Rushmore.  We love Mt Rushmore as well and it is just a few minutes outside of Rapid City.

It might look smaller in person than it does on TV but it is still very impressive.

A view of Washington on the mountain and the scale model in the Borglum museum at the base of the monument.

It was then out to do some grocery shopping for the next few days for the Hang and really good pizza for dinner, then back to fur kids sitting for the remainder of the day.

Our friends home in the Black Hills is so lovely, it is always a pleasure to be there and we would see them later in the week. 

Sitting out on the deck in the evening with a glass of wine watching the sun go down is a relaxing way to spend a night

They have a lovely array of potted plants on their deck and each was in bloom

Thursday

It was up early and then it was over to Sheridan Lake and campground to meet Brian and Susan and help set up for the Hang. The 6th Annual Black Hills Hammock Hang

Vicky (back), John, Susan

Picking your trees and getting our hammocks set up. I had also brought the tent I was going to be using in Glacier National park in a couple of weeks to get some practice pitching it.

Introducing new people to hammocks is one of the fun things to do at these events, especially if you can start them young. 

Dave and his son came to the hang and it was the first time he had slept outside and his first hammock experience. He was a champ and took to it right away.

after setting up, it is the normal laziness of drinking a few beers and talking and greeting those arriving, getting acquainted stories with new people and catching up with returning friends. 

A lovely afternoon

Brian's Dad (Dick) and his mom Carol do as much as anyone to help make this a great event. They cook and serve as general good shepherds for our normal craziness and Carol brings great wine! 

Brian (Boothill)

your author (Skygzr) 

Susan (Sodakgrrl)

John

and let's not forget about the pies. 

Brian cooked a fabulous meal and everyone sat around the campfire telling stories and having a good first night. Plans were hatched for tomorrow, but that is another story!