thibaults keeping busy

The Thibaults enjoying the sun and cold water in Speafish.

Bridal Veil Falls photo op with the "honeymooners."

Spearfish Canyon Creek.

Between setting up our home, setting up my library, and entertaining guests, Ty and I have been keeping pretty occupied.  Tyler's dad came in for the weekend and we did some serious exploring.  

We drove all over "west river."  For you southern folks, people up here have divided the state in two: West River and East River...the river being the Missouri.  Took me a little while to figure that one out, but had much help from my fellow librarians.  

First trek through Sturgis.  We have already seen tons of bikers and I felt left out.  Can't wait to see JOURNEY at the Sturgis Rally!

Tyler was not being a good sport...

Main Street.  NOT busy...JUST WAIT.

 The roads here have been heavily populated with bikers.  One almost took us out, well, we almost took him out.  Everyone is preaching safety, so hopefully everyone remains safe.  I'm so pumped about the Sturgis Rally.  I'm heading to Goodwill tomorrow in search of leather.  I want to fit in this coming week with the thousands of other biker tourists.  Look for a fun blog update about my adventures at Sturgis.  Tyler is not looking forward to it, but I did bike several miles uphill just for him when we first moved...I think he can trek through several miles of bikers for me. 

Spearfish Canyon creek.

Tyler had to climb up to see the falls for a closer view.  He's insane.  Pretty sure our insurance will not cover injuries sustained at Bridal Veil Falls. 

 Traveling through Spearfish Canyon was stunning and truly awe inspiring.  Free with the exception of gas, anyone can drive through and stop at Bridal Veil Falls.  If you look at the top of the waterfall, the pattern mimics that of a bridal veil.  Neat!  We loved the scenic route a bit too much and took a very long "detour" to get back to the city.  Instead of making our way back to Deadwood, we ended up in Hill City.  The joys of getting lost on dirt roads and trying to figure out how to get to civilization without being able to use our iPhones is always entertaining.  I finished a whole book on day 1 of our travels.  

The gorgeous view Tyler got from climbing so high.

Do you see it?  The veil?

The water was cool, refreshing, and "clean"

We made a stop at Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse.  Both allowed us in for FREE since Tyler is an active military man.  From what I remember, Mt. Rushmore has a parking fee of around $10-15 and Crazy Horse has an insane fee of $30.  Tyler and I both agreed that Crazy Horse memorial is great; however, not worth that much money.  We would suggest going with someone who is active or waiting until the Volksmarch in June.  We weren't able to get any closer to the monument on just this regular visit.  It is rather cool though that the monument has not accepted any federal funding and plans on obtaining money through the "people."  Most probably why the price to get into the museum was so high.  

I am looking forward to going back on September 6th for their night blast.  Also, check out their website for days when admission is free!  You can find their info at  http://www.crazyhorsememorial.org/pdf/2012-calendar-of-events.pdf .

Day 2 of Mr. Rudy's trip included fishing with Rob (and time for me to catch up on some school work...and read of course).  After having seafood gumbo on Day 1 thanks to Mr. Rudy and Tyler's mad cooking skills, we had some delicious fried fish thanks to Tyler's mad fishing abilities.  We are waiting on our DuceRod (hint, hint).  What a great couple of days for both me and my ever growing appetite for Tyler's cooking. 

I'm so spoiled!

Gumbo from the night before.

raspberry honeywine

Prairie Berry Winery is a must if you are in town, Rapid City, South Dakota, that is.  Tyler and I have been twice after I became obsessed with their Raspberry Honeywine.  It's delicious...and worth the drive to Hill City.  We took Tyler's dad to the winery.  We are already members of their wine club (yea, we realize how cool we are) but had to drink up a few more samples. 

The obsession began after we sampled some of their wine at the Rapid City's Art and Wine Festival.  The festival was great.  Checkout some of the pics from the fest in June at the bottom of this post.  Tyler was hesitant to join me at the festival.  So glad he did...last picture shows why.

I really do love being here.  Great lookin' food, better wine!

Visitors/wine testers get to choose to sample 5 different types of wine.  I always go with the sweeter reds and Tyler goes with a dryer version.  Apparently, South Dakota's grapes have to ripen in a short period of time due to the weather; therefore, most of their red wines are really sweet and need to be refrigerated.  My fave's are the Raspberry Honeywine, Red Ass Rhubarb, and the White Plum wine (this may be the name...I can't remember). 

Tyler and I making notes the first time we made it to PB.

Nothing better than wine and frozen custard.  Wine and Art Fest.

Blurry but my faves.

Ty's pride and joy, his cool comic book chair.

passport afb...part 2

#16: Work off those calories on base.  Started Zumba last week at Bellamy Fitness center.  I feel like a complete fool trying to salsa, pelvic thrust, and hop around.  However, it does seem to be a good cardio workout.  Not the most fun thing to accomplish on our list of 50 passport activities, but we all know Tyler lives at Bellamy. 

#26: Hippie Hole Adventures.  Check out our other blog post on the subject.  Here are some tips for trekking to Hippie Hole: 1.  Don't loose your keys, 2.  bring snacks in a some kind of book sack including lunch and drinks, 3.  have some good shoes you can get wet (this makes the climb up to and from easier plus it helps when trying to get back up the cliff after your jump), 4. sunscreen and bandaids help.

#35: Reading for free!  Getting a Holbrook library card and checking out books was one of the first things I did here.  Tyler even stopped in once.  Cute library with great librarians.  Perfect spot for kids and nerdy librarian teachers like me.


Stay tuned...Tyler's dad is coming in and we plan to accomplish even more activities on the list including Spearfish waterfalls!

hippie hole

What an eventful day!  Discovering Hippie Hole in the Black Hills made for one fantastic day...up until we lost our keys...

 After driving to Rockerville in the Black Hills of SoDak, Tyler, Sam, and I did some serious off road driving.  Sam had mapped out Hippie Hole while flying over it one day, therefore, we used his GPS to lead us there.  So much fun driving Tyler's truck along these treacherous hills with only gravel (and large rocks) between the tires.  I was driving so I didn't get any pictures of the scenery on our way.  Sorry! 


We drive to the "parking lot," i.e. a clearing at the end of our path, and begin about a two mile hike to the infamous Hippie Hole.  This hike began with a trail for a little ways.  Then we had to do some serious hiking to find the creek which led to the coolest place ever.  If you look at the above picture, imagine climbing up and down the rocks to the left.  Once the trail ended, we had to do just that.  

Below is our first picture upon arriving.  Absolutely gorgeous, and as I always say...pictures never do it justice.  We all jumped immediately.  Several war wounds and about an hour later, I made the climb back up the cliff.  Luckily we had some practice rock climbing a few weekends ago.  Tyler did have to jump back in and guide me up the cliff; however, I am still very proud to say I made it! 

The HIPPIE HOLE

One of our many battle scars.

After my jump and successful climb.

The scary rope that you had to pull yourself up on.  I failed many times and have cuts and bruises to prove it. 

My favorite spot to tan.

We jumped, we played, we climbed, we drank.  Sunbathed in the water fall stream all day long.  We had an absolute blast even through the rain and hail, Hippie Hole was turning out to be a great hidden jewel.  


We made new found friends and talked about Lost for most of the day.  These new friends of ours helped to lead us back to our car.  With the rain and the many drinks, getting back to the car was a fiasco.  We all fell, rolled down hills/rock, bled, took long breaks, and said many prayers that we would find the trail.  With Tyler's phone nearing 10% battery life, we didn't take any pictures...plus no one was in the mood for a photo op.  


After what felt like two hours and 20 miles later, we finally discovered Tyler's truck! And then it dawns on me, "Where are his keys?"  Seriously.  Where are his keys?  Our friends get in their car and leave.  We struggle to stay calm.  After beginning to go back to the hole we decide we cannot trek back to look for the keys because a.)we almost didn't make it up the trail from physical exhaustion and slippery mud, b.)we would probably get lost and then really have to fear "the Others", and c.)we had no idea if we lost the keys on the way to the hole, in the water at the hole, or on the way back.  Our only option...begin walking.  


An hour and a half later, 3 miles down and only 10 more to go, we are rescued by some friends we made at the hole.  They pick us muddy stragglers up until...

Their car breaks down.  No keys.  No wallets.  No working phones.  No working cars. Really?  It became quite hysterical.  I at least was laughing on the inside. 

Funny, right?  Sam's wife saved us and let us hitch a ride with her back to town.  Tyler and I then came home, scrubbed all of the dried blood and mud off, and took my car to get his truck.  Again, Tyler and I did some much scarier off-road driving in my car.  I'll spare you the details, but know I prayed to God every inch of that drive and back.  I did stop and take one photo after we rescued Tyler's truck and made it through the worst part of the road. 

 
Overall, we had a wonderful day.  Hippie Hole didn't disappoint.  Come visit and we may take you there.  Just don't let us hold the keys!

southern belle in a northern world

Nola and I have discovered a few things for those southern belles to take note of when venturing to any Dakota.  

1.  Maxi dresses have become the attire of choice.  Battling differing temperatures with June having lows of 40 and highs of 100, you just never know how cold it'll be.  PLUS, the hurricane like winds can cause quite a show if you have on a shorter dress.  

2.  Use of a southern accent can go a long way.  Yes, when that police officer pulls you over, use your cute, southern drawl and you just may get out of a ticket.  In addition, people sometimes think you are being extra charming with your ma'ams and sirs.  I've been able to start a great many conversations just because I said Mr. or Mrs. or replied with a yes maam.  

3.  Watering the grass is a definite.  We still haven't figured this one out yet.  Louisiana humidity kept our green grass looking green.  Now our neighbors grass is definitely greener...they have a sprinkler system.  

4.  Hail.  Hail can be hell.  It was 50 degrees at the end of June and I was driving in a hail storm.  Tyler and I have seen so many cars in the Wal-Mart parking lot with battle scars from hail.  Luckily, I get the garage.  

5.  Speed limits in LA are much faster than those around Ellsworth AFB.  We drive 55 mph on highways in BR...it's 35mph here.  My southern charm didn't work out so well when I received my very first speeding ticket.  Watch out for those slow speed zones.  

6.  NO HUMIDITY!!!  My hair does look a tad better in this no humidity-styled climate; however, it does mean lotion becomes your best friend.  Put lotion in your car, by your front door, by your back door, and in your purse.  

7.  Get used to the mispronunciation of your last name.  Get used to mispronouncing others' names as well.  

8.  The scenery is to die for and driving up and down these mountains locals call The Black Hills can be exhilarating.  We still oooo and awwwww at the sites around us.  The beauty of these hills should make you want to come and visit...so come and visit!!!

9.  Enjoy the outdoors.  The weather has been beautiful and being outside is manageable compared to LA.  The winds make for a cool breeze.  Do something you wouldn't normally do in the south like watch bison from your car, play tennis in the middle of the day, or ride bikes on Mickelson Trail.