KOLODZIEJ KIDS

This weekend, Karol and I had the opportunity to sit for the Kolodziej Kids while Ross and Miriam were out in Lincoln, Nebraska, for the Badger-Cornhusker game.

Taylor, 9, is in fourth grade. Her biggest love is horses (note the shirt).

Elizabeth (Liz) is 10 and in the fifth grade. Her greatest love is soccer.

Abram is 4 and has started K-4. He loves climbing the maple tree in the front yard.

Asher is 6 and is now in the first grade. He enjoys soccer, but his greatest love is fishing.

Elizabeth is growing up fast. It's wonderful to watch her share her joy-filled attitude with others.

The boys LOVE TV, whether it's Sponge Bob, Spiderman, Batman, or Rescue Heroes.

Elizabeth has chosen the violin as her 5th grade musical instrument. She's at the very beginning.

ELIZABETH IS LEARNING GERMAN

Taylor is social - loves playing with neighbor kids, Abby and Sylvia. Four Square was a good time.

 WATCH  THE PARTICIPANTS IN A GAME OF FOUR SQUARE.

To say the least, Abram is mischievous. Could it be because he's the youngest in the family?

MY MORNING WALK

Since July 25, I have walked every morning, except Sundays (my walking sabbath). Normally, I walk 15 minutes out, turn around and head back. On occasion, I pick up the aluminum cans, or do a roadside garbage pickup, but mostly, the morning half hour is a time of prayer and reflection. I do love that time.

This morning was cold, no doubt a sign that we'll need a fire in our insert each day, and that we'll soon have to bring out warmer clothes. But it's still a wonderful time of the year:  trees in color, geese flying, harvest of the colder weather veggies, and great, fresh air mornings.

September 27 - first ice-covered bird bath.

The rhododendron prepares for winter (it doesn't lose it's leaves).

The marigolds last hurrah - and it's a beautiful one!!

Sumac always loves to show off in fall. I made a bowl out of sumac wood last night.

As the sun begins it's peek over the horizon, the sun reflects the warm rays.

The harvest is in. The silage prepares for winter cattle feeding.

I've just about completed the decorative border at the entry to our property.

I can hear them say "We're not giving up just yet!"

The maple trees near our home are outstanding!

NEWCASTLE

This has been a relaxing time, even though we've put on lots of miles for the trip. We haven't seen Roy and Pat so it has been fun to spend time with them in their home!

I've had so much time to work on my computer. How thankful I am. I've been able to work with my emails so that now I've only 12 left to respond to. Praise the Lord.

Pat and Roy weren't even aware when they dressed that they would wear the same t-shirt.

This Newcastle establishment does everything but sew buttons back on your shirt!

Karol wanted me to take a picture of the yellow and white flowers in the Gill yard. Not much grows here since the ground underneath is rocky and the rainfall is always VERY light.

As we left for brunch about 10 am, the vultures were also having their lunch on the gravel road near the Gill home. They had found a jackrabbit and were enjoying the fresh meat.

The storage yard for an oil drilling company. They have everything plus more for drilling wells.

 VIDEO OF AN OIL WELL PUMPING
(It is what it is!)

The oil is pumped and then is transferred by pipeline to the storage tanks. Trucks then transport the oil to the refinery (remember:  in the middle of Newcastle).

SPEARFISH CANYON

Bridal Falls at the Spearfish Creek.

 After our time in Deadwood, we drove to the famous Spearfish Canyon, following Spearfish Creek all the way up the mountain. The drive was comfortable and the vistas stunning.

The rock formations form a wonderful contrast with the solid green evergreens.

The vistas along the creek were unbelieveable.

VIDEO OF THE RUSHING CREEK

Turmoil and fast water make the creek exciting.

Another vista.

Bluffs along the canyon with many aspen turning color.

On the way to Deadwood, we saw the beginnings of the roundup. Returning to Newcastle, we saw the cows and calves all coralled up ready to be taken back to the farmstead.

The cattle were rounded up by horse and by 4 wheeled ATVs.

DEADWOOD

Our major jaunt today was to head to Lead and Deadwood. We walked the old brick street of this former gold town (they still sell Black Hills gold) visiting souvenier shops and casinos (there are slot machines in every restaurant and gift shop). I did manage to lose two nickels in a slot machine.

At first look, I thought that this was going to be a great event. But, we didn't go into this place, especially since I was the designated driver. It did look good!

Buffalo Bill Cody (Wild Bill) is an integral part of this Deadwood community.

All during our time here in Wyoming/South Dakota we saw Harleys, one after another. Lots of women bikers and many bikes sitting at bars.

I can imagine that this was an image of "what used to be" in Deadwood. During Gold Rush days, it no doubt was quite a wild and woolly community.

Pat poses with a bigger than life "Wild Bill."

One of the historic buildings in Deadwood.

A motorized trolly gives tourists rides up and down main street Deadwood.

CUSTER STATE PARK, CUSTER, SD

Housing a buffalo herd, Gutzon Borglum's piece of art at Mt. Rushmore, wineries, and many tourist attractions, the Black Hills of western South Dakota are a wonderful place to vacation. We spent the late morning and afternoon today visiting the park, observing the wildlife, marveling at the rock formations, viewing art, and tasting the wine.

This buck antelope acted as if he were saying to me, "This is my turf!"

This bull bison walked alongside us for a short ways as we traveled on the Needles highway.

The bison herd was to be rounded up in the upcoming Monday stampede. Animals would be sold for breeding stock and/or for meat. Each year, animals are culled from the growing herd so that the herd never grows too large for the area and for the food available.

How fun to watch the young donkey nudge its mother so that it could nurse.

Up close and very personal.

The needles are beautiful granite formations (same rock as used for the presidents at Mt. Rushmore).

The needles.

I was captivated by this particular area. I could have stayed and taken pictures for hours.

Vistas of beauty were everywhere. One of the sad things about he Black Hills is that a sawfly beetle has begun attacking the pine trees. Hundred of trees are already brown (and dead).

The third winery we visited was the Prairie Berry winery. One of it's signature wines is the rhubarb wine. We tasted it and decided that it tasted too much like biting off a piece of fresh rhubarb.