Monthly Archives: January 2016

Parks, Sights, Travel

Harney Peak

Harney Peak, South Dakota

Harney Peak tower

The hike up to Harney Peak in Custer State Park, SD is a long one.  You can stay in the park or drive in and walk from one of the parking lots near Sylvan Lake.  Block out a full day for this hike.  Eat breakfast, take a lunch, and enjoy a dinner somewhere special after.  I suggest a shower before dinner.

Harney Peak is the highest natural point in South Dakota.  It is nestled in the Black Hills near Mount Rushmore.  It is also the highest summit in the U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains.  Harney Peak was once used as a fire lookout and the tower that was used is still on the peak.  You can go all the way to the top.

Harney Peak tower lookout

If you want to stay in the park and start your trip nice and early you can stay at Sylvan Lake Lodge or in one of the cabins around the lodge.

Sylvan Lake view

If you are in amazing shape you can start you walk up to the peak with a nice stroll around Sylvan Lake.  If you need all of your energy you skip the lake and take that trip at another time.  The is parking at the lake and there is parking a little further to the east.

The Trail 9 starts north of the lake.  Trail 4 to the east has more of the extra items to see like Little Devil’s Tower and Cathedral Spires.  If you plan on taking these side trails I suggest going to them first so that you have the energy and sense to stay safe getting to them.  The Little Devil’s tower trail is nothing to take lightly.

A wedge needed to get to Little Devil's Tower

The view from the northern trail, Trail 9 is pretty.  I love the fact that they warning signs suggest staying off ledges when it is lightning, but with this statement it suggests that you can walk on any ledge you want at any other time.

Harney Peak northern trail view

The reality is that rock climbing in the area is permitted.  You enter at your own risk.  You are responsible for your own actions.

Harney Peak Cathedral Spires

Bring water and a snack for the top.  Water to keep hydrated, you will need it.  The snack is sort of a victory meal for making it.  Plus you will probably be on the trails or at the top at meal time.  Also bring a camera.  The view is amazing.

Harney Peak mostly 146

Harney Peak mostly 151

Harney Peak mostly 112

Entertainment, Museum, Travel

Fairburn Museum

Fairburn Museum – 745 Second St, Fairburn, SD 57738

Fairburn Museum 18

The Fairburn Museum is the old Public School building.  Like with any small town museum the stories and items inside have real meaning.

There are 3 rooms total in this building.  The 2 classrooms and the gym.  It is actually pretty impressive for how small it is.  There isn’t much in the gym.  I think they use it for events still.

Fairburn Museum 1

There are agates from the area which is rocks you can only find in the area.  They really cool with neat designs.

Agates in the case on the left
Agates in the case on the left

My favorite item in the museum is the mountain lion shot by a local woman with a .22 right outside her ranch house.

Fairburn Museum 14

There are many old photos and other historical items as well.

Fairburn Museum 12Fairburn Museum 16

Outside you can play on the equipment.  Lots of fun.

Fairburn Museum 17

Parks, Sights, Travel

Shoshone River

Shoshone River – Cody, WY

Along Cody the is a river called the Shoshone River.  There is a walking path along this river.  Take bear spray!

It is kind of pretty.  More of an interesting walk than a scenic one.  We went on a day after it had rained.  Do not step in the odd looking mud.  It is actually volcano ash and sticks to your shoes like you wouldn’t believe.  My feet suddenly weighed about four times what they normally do.

river Cody 2015 7

You can see different birds along the river.  They sit out there and fish or just relax.

river Cody 2015 1

There is a spot where the river parts and merges again.  It is interesting how one part is really dirty water and the other is really clean.

river Cody 2015 13

You can take river rafting rides down the Shoshone River.  We went on one done by River Runners.

You start in Cody and they give you a life jacket.  Make sure it fits and is tight.  Then they bus you up the river.  You can go on the short or the long trip.  The length of time actually depends on how high and fast the river is flowing.

You pick a spot on the boat you are assigned to.  I picked a middle spot.  I did not paddle or let go of the boat at all.  Water scares me.

The guide takes you down the river and tells you how to navigate the rapids.  The family trip is pretty simple, but very interesting.

Parks, Sights, Travel

Buffalo Bill Dam and Reservoir

Buffalo Bill Dam and Reservoir – Cody, WY

Wow, this thing is huge.  Not the dam as much as the reservoir.  Keep in mind you are in a desert.

You drive by this on your way from Cody to Yellowstone and never really think much about it, but find someone to take you our on it and you will see just how big it is.

We went fishing on this reservoir a few years ago.  The came close to the dam so we could see it, but getting too close is really dangerous.  Take a look from a distance.

2007 resevoir outside of Cody 4

The fishing is good.  Someone introduced an unwanted fish some years ago.  Please people:  introducing two fish or one pregnant fish not from the area can destroy an entire ecosystem.  Make sure your boat is clean and do not bring fish from other areas and dump them into the reservoir.

The fishes we caught were really big.  I think they were rainbow trout.  They were really pretty.   There are several different types of trout in this reservoir.  Get yourself a fishing license and have fun.

2007 resevoir outside of Cody 1

Just boating around the reservoir is a good time as well.  It is really big and they let me control the boat for a while.  The boat we were on had an underwater view and my job was to keep us the same distance from the line at all times.

If you are a boater or like to fish this is a great place to go.

Here is another website with additional information – Buffalo Bill Reservoir.

Cooking, Main courses

Fajita Rice and Beans

Fajita Rice and Beans

Gather the following ingredients:

Steak

Red pepper

Green pepper

Olive oil

Fajita seasoning packet

Cheddar cheese

Vigo rice and beans

Medium pot with lid

Large frying pan

Glass pan

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook the rice and beans according to the package directions.

Cut up the steak into nice bite sized pieces.  Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan.  Cook the steak over a medium heat until all sides are browned.  Set aside on a plate.

Cut up the red and green peppers.  Slice the peppers into long slices.  Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the frying pan.  Cook the peppers until you can cut them with a spatula.

fajita and rice no cheese

Add the stead back into the frying pan.  Cover in fajita seasoning and a some water.  About a forth of a cup.

Cover the bottom of the glass pan with the rice and beans.  Top this with the peppers and steak.  Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the top.  Cook for 30 minutes.

Cooking, Main courses

Goulash

Goulash – simple and tasty

Gather the following ingredients:

1 lb. hamburger
1 tbsp. minced garlic

1 green pepper chopped
1 tbsp. soy sauce
1 can 15 oz. tomato sauce
1 can diced tomatoes
1-2 tsp. Italian herbs

1 cup large elbow macaroni

**optional:  onion, cheddar cheese

Large Pot or Dutch oven

Brown the ground beef in the pot.  Add the garlic to the beef while it cooks.

Chop the green pepper and add it to the pot.  Add the soy sauce, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes to the pot.  Add Italian herbs for taste.

goulash 2

Add 1 1/2 cups of water.  Simmer , covered, for 20 minutes.  Add macaroni noodles.  Simmer, covered, until macaroni noodles are cooked, about 25 – 30 minutes.  Let this sit before serving.

**Double recipe if needed.  If you like onions add them after you cook the beef and saute them until tender 5 minutes on medium-high heat.  Add cheddar cheese if desired.

Wine

Markham Merlot

Markham Merlot

I thought I had grabbed my last Pinot when I started drinking this Merlot.  It tasted a lot more like a Merlot than a Pinot.  It took me three days to realize it actually was a Merlot.

This Merlot has a slight dry taste, but doesn’t make you thirsty at all.  It pairs perfectly with red meat.  You want to eat it with a meal.

Markham Merlot 13

I really enjoyed this wine.  I only drank one glass at a time so I do not know the consequences of multiple glasses.  Based on the taste and feeling of one glass I would assume more would not be any issue.

This is a nice relaxing wine.  It has a perfect Merlot taste.  It is a well done.  Despite the slight dryness there are really no negatives about this wine.

I would definitively serve this at dinner.  In fact I think it is a great idea if steak is on the menu.

I would give this wine a 4/5.