The prior Coming to Spearfish

This is a repeat for some of you of a previous email but gives some info to my new friends on where we are and what we do.  Promise to include more pictures later.  Got to figure out all this new stuff.

It seems like we've been very busy since we've got here-training and sightseeing and getting settled.  I'm very impressed with this area-it's absolutely beautiful.  Spearfish is a  canyon surrounded by mountains and a fast flowing creek that runs through the campground and city  (used for fishing, kayaking and fishing).  We didn't see this place last time we were in the Black Hills.  We couldn't believe the Spearfish canyon above that goes through the cliffs-reminded us of Alaska-that good with waterfalls and many ooooh spots.  Also, there's lot of stuff close for sightseeing, history and local activities.  Julie and Jody are planning on coming for a visit.

There's going to be 10 couples here as volunteers.  Campground has wifi and cable plus we have our own firepit and gathering area.  The hatchery is across the street and up a hill  (over 3500 feet high here-Ron's breathing slowly adjusting).  It's nestled in a bowl with cliffs on 3 sides and the creek running through.  The women take care of the gift shop and do tours of the first superintendents historic home.  While the guys do tours of the museum which used to be the hatchery and the reconditioned railroad car that used to carry fish to Yellowstone and elsewhere.  There is a museum curator who taught us how to dust antiques (using white cotton gloves only once) and takes care of the archive collection of fishery history.

 Everyone told us that it's their favorite spot and the pictures above of the campground give you some idea.  The hatchery is on Face Book if you want to check it.  DCBooth Historic Hatchery.

Got to tell you a cute story.  Poor Elroy, our dog, has sinned bad!  Yes, I'm afraid he might be dammed.  While we were on our trip here, I took him for a walk down a town street and he stopped by a front yard statue of the Virgin Mary surrounded by pretty daffodils.  He sniffed and lifted his leg and before I could do anything, he peed on the Virgin Mary.  Can he be saved?  Very concerned, Gloria

Coming to Spearfish SD

Elroy (out hairy dog) is a better traveler than us.  He doesn't complain or ask are we there yet and argue with me.-he just mainly sleeps.  Now I ask you, isn't that the travel cure if you don't need to keep your eyes open.  Dogs are smart.  But sometimes they think they're human-that's the rub.  We can't say the word walk because he'll be at the door wagging his tail.  So we talk in abbreviations like I'm going to take E for a W after L.  Reminds me of grade school-how far have I progressed.  Not too far, because he reminds me of my worst nightmare.  Waking up in the morning with a hairy face with bad breath on my pillow.  Yes, he sneaks up between Ron and I sometime at night and plops on my pillow.  Spoiled baby!  Recurring nightmares!

 Ron's favorite son (Elroy of course) loves it here in the Black Hills.  Cold weather and lots of walking trails.  We have a different opinion since we've left the warmth of Texas.  Can you believe we have snow not only on top of the mountains but yesterday it snowed 12 inches in higher elevations.  Ron has complained that the cold makes all of this body stiff except one important part.

For me, the thing that pisses me off the most is that I'm enjoying my allergy season twice this year.  The trees here have just barely started budding pollen for my second bout.  Please send kleenex.

 What also pisses me off (believe me I really don't really complain) is all those skinny-ass joggers here on last Sunday running a 5K race.  They make me feel bad.  They ran up and down a mountain and still had smiles on their faces AND were not breathing hard running behind our rv to the finish.  Are they human?  What kind of drugs do they take?  Well, I'll stay with alcohol.  Here's to you.  As I'm drinking my favorite beer, Mousse Drool.  Take care and be assured I don't usually drink and write.