Next in our path west was a week in Cedar Rapids, and used this time to do some exploring of the Black Hills. We have been out there B4, so we did some different things. One was the CCC Museum in Hill City. The story is that in the CCC days (and B4), Hill City was actually known as “Hell City,” containing brothels and other entertainment options for miners, framed between 2 churches on either end of town. As the mines played out, Hell City became rebranded as a more suitable “Hill City.” The CCC Museum was quite interesting as well—so much of the Black Hills were developed by the CCC, including lakes, trails, roads, etc.
While in Cedar Rapids, we had an unexpected, and delightful, visit from friend Karen Bohot, who was on the way thru to Sturgis for the same rally we were attending. She stopped for an overnight and a dinner in the site next to ours. During that night, there was quite a gusty storm. Of course there was. Liz also found a Hair Salon that spoke to her directly (perfect name: “High Maintenance”).
We also enjoyed the South Dakota Air and Space Museum.
We visited the “Mammoth Site” in Hot Springs, SD. The story here was about a real estate developer who bought some land to turn into housing. Nearly the first shovelful contained Mammoth Bones. Further investigation discovered a former Sinkhole that had filled with water. Mammoths fell in while seeking water, and then could not escape due to the slippery, steep walls. Ultimately, over 60 full, very well preserved Mammoth skeletons have been discovered.
And, perhaps even more amazing by reputation, a Developer who did the right thing (I have personally known one other who did so continuously…my Dad!): Built a building over the site and created a foundation to manage the paleontology work in perpetuity. You can enter the building and see many specimens, as well as excavation ongoing.
Speaking of Dad, I got a weird Email from his Blog/email hosting service. Someone wanted to BUY the domain “RHH CONSULTING.COM.” My sister and I had just been discussing dropping that domain (just not paying to renew it). I was being offered $1,000 for something that in another week would have been available for free! SO, of course, I negotiated. I wrote back and said we MIGHT be prepared to part with the domain, but $1K seemed a little light, considering Dad would have to reprint business cards, stationery, etc.
For the record, Dad is NOT using business cards anymore, and would not need to reprint them…but they did not need to know this. It is VERY FORTUNATE that I already have a long nose, so that any further growth would not be obvious! IMMEDIATELY, another offer arrived…$2,000! Part of me wanted to continue the game, but my sister reminded me that Pigs get Fed and Hogs Get Slaughtered. SOLD!!!
And, we are using the proceeds to fund a walking memorial and gathering in Minneapolis over Labor Day…we are going to visit the trees and plaques that the City and the Park Board planted overlooking the Dog Park he Created and the Loring Greenway that his pioneering downtown development, Greenway Gables, overlooks. My sister has printed some very cool cards that can actually be planted and will germinate into a wildflower garden.
The rally we attended in Sturgis was a really good time as well. As I mentioned, there were nearly 100 Bluebirds there of all ages and styles. One of the things that happens at BB Rallies is things get fixed. Alternators replaced, problems diagnosed, etc. I had an awning to repair, and I needed a couple folks who maybe had enjoyed a couple beers in their life (i.e. On the portly side) and would perform service for a couple more!! About 75 of those 100 buses are driven by people like that, and I soon had a cadre outside my bus. Several had direct experience with and sufficient “gravitas” for straightening an awning and re-tensioning the spring that winds it up. Within an hour, we had the awning functional…total repair cost was $10 and a few Spotted Cows!
We did have an absolutely mission-critical…perhaps even unsurvivable mechanical issue while in Sturgis. Our BEER FRIDGE DIED!!!! I had some negotiation with the company we bought it from. It had a 1 year warranty. Their first claim was that it was not under warranty as we had acquired it on 30 July 2025. It being b4 30 July 2026, I encouraged them to check their math… Eventually, they said they could not repair or send parts, so they offered me a $150 credit. Keeping Sarah’s counsel in mind, I told them that it cost me $240, had failed within the warranty period and they were unable to repair…$150 seemed inadequate. They offered me a full, $240 refund, which I accepted as fair. Of course, I have not received it yet…but I don’t feel I have been led to slaughter.
Since the Sturgis Rally occurred over the July 4th Holiday, those of us who had not “won” the lottery to attend the fireworks at Mt. Rushmore (Due to security concerns, only 5,000 people were allowed…we entered the lottery, but were not selected!) got to watch the show put on by the town of Sturgis. And by “the Town” I mean the actual Civic display and the HUNDREDS of private displays concurrent. I can honestly say, I have NEVER SEEN so many very large, very unofficial fireworks displays in my lifetime. There was one, put on in the parking lot of a bar very near the RV park that lasted longer and was way more impressive than the “official” one.
After leaving Sturgis, we are heading east towards Prairie Du Chein, Wi, where we will be attending the Prairie Dog Blues Festival July 23-25 (more on our musical summer in a bit). We decided, in the couple weeks we had to get there, that we’d mosey across Rural South Dakota (is that redundant?) and Minnesota. First stop was Pierre, where we stayed in a City Park right on the Missouri River and blocks from the State Capital. A VERY pleasant stop for a couple days.
Unfortunately, the State Capital Rotunda is undergoing renovation, so only scaffolding to be seen.
I am writing this in Huron, and we expect to visit Mitchell (home of the one-and-only-in-the-whole-universe-CORN PALACE) next. After that, unsure. Perhaps Brookings, SD. Marshall, Mn. There are county Parks, Fairgrounds, Harvest Hosts and other places along the way for leisurely travel. We will eventually spend a few days in Mankato, then a few more in Winona.
After the PDB, we will head to Denver, where we will be seeing Tedeschi Trucks Band at Red Rocks (July 31). After that, Bonnie Raitt at the Minnesota State Fair on Aug 28, so a fair bit of unscheduled time in amongst the music. More on all that when next I post!!!
As always, great tales of all your travel adventures!
Love the domain story!