Daycation: Theodore Roosevelt National Park -Medora, ND

Started the day with a stop @ my new favorite coffee shop in Dickinson: The Brew

Coffee lovers turned the oldest chapel in the city into espresso heaven.

www.thebrew.org

Hallelujah! Good coffee in ND

Perfect latte and pumpkin bread

Next stop: Medora, ND.  Teddy Roosevelt National Park

http://www.nps.gov/thro/index.htm

Sadly, horseback riding was closed for the season, but I've heard it is a beautiful way to experience the land.  To see the South End of the park this time of year,  hike 1 of 6 hiking trails or drive the  36-mile scenic loop.

Maltese Cross Cabin - Teddy's first Badlands home in 1884

Prairie Dog Town

Black-tailed prairie dogs

These cuddly creatures were reintroduced to the park in 1956.

Teddy Roosevelt arrived in the Dakota Territory in 1883 intending to hunt.  He fell in love with the rugged landscape and became alarmed by the damage being done to the land.  The large herds of bison were nearly gone.

After becoming President in 1901, Teddy signed the Antiquities Act which proclaimed 18 National Monuments, established 5 National Parks, and 51 wildlife refuges/national forests.

Quaint town of Medora, ND

Yeehaw! Cowboy Hall of Fame

http://www.northdakotacowboy.com/

We all got a hillbilly bone down deep inside,
No matter where you're from you just can't hide it...

Remember now, don't squat with your spurs on :)

PUMPKIN PARTAY CONTINUES:  

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/10/pumpkin-smoothie.html

Too easy:

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/10/pumpkin-sherbet.html

South Dakota - Great Faces. Great Places.

 South Dakota encountered a freak early autumn blizzard 2 weekends ago and received up to 4 ft. of snow in certain parts of the state.  I took this solo road trip pretty seriously and did a little research on what to do in case a blizzard decided to roll in.  I was informed a safety kit was needed, so I stocked up on a candle, lighters, matches, a warm reflective heat blanket, hand warmers, and cereal bars.  If you ever watched that C+ Renee Zellweger movie "New in Town", you know the candle is used for warmth in case you get caught in a blizzard and run out of gas.  My scent choice was carrot cake: exactly what I would want to smell as I wait for the frostbite to take over.

Most of the snow melted, but there were patches of dead cattle along the way that literally drowned in the snow since it fell so quickly.  Cattle ranching is big business in South Dakota and the ranchers were hit hard.

Look who I ran into!  4 1/2 hours later, I found these 4 Faces of Democracy hanging out in the Black Hills.

Who is my NEW favorite President? Move over Teddy - I learned that not only was Thomas Jefferson the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, but he also wrote the first ice cream recipe in America.  A foodie, a scholar, and a President - triple threat!

Took about 30 too many pictures of Mt. Rushmore, but I couldn't stop snapping.  It is truly something to see!  The Monument was designed and built by sculptor Gutzon Borglum starting in 1925.  He was born to Danish immigrants and raised on the Western Frontier.  How did they construct the Shrine of Democracy? By using dynamite, basic tools, and lots of sketchy looking wires and ropes to manipulate the granite.  We've come a long way America.

Pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks + National Monument = Modern day USA

For the history buffs:



Profile shot of G. W.

Andiamo - Into the woods...

There are a few towns to check out in the Black Hills.  I blinked and almost missed Custer on the way to Hot Springs.

Only out West

Guess which beer I did NOT taste... 

A + for creative marketing though.

Cave Wind National Park borders the Black Hills on the southeast end.  The landscape changes dramatically from forest to prairie lands.

Wildlife alert: Elk and buffalo sightings

My accommodations at The Historic FlatIron Inn in Hot Springs were adorable.  I rented a homey suite with modern touches - complete with a full kitchen, WIFI, digital cable, and spa toiletries.

http://www.flatiron.bz/index.html

 Airbnb does not disappoint!
www.airbnb.com

Hot Springs is known for it's Woolly Mammoth fossil site.  Over 26,000 years ago the big beasts were trapped in a nearby pond.  Personally, I think it should be known for the BBQ.  Smokin' BBQ serves up cheap $6 meals right outside on River St.  If you come for the Mammoth, don't forget about the street meat.

Brisket, mac 'n cheese, potato salad - $6.  Movie price in Hot Springs - $5.

Sunday, the weather turned wacky: from rain to snow to rain to sunny skies.  Due to the snow, I was unable to see Needles Highway or Spearfish Canyon.

But here are 4 landscape shots from my return trip:

Prairie

Forest 

Country

Badlands

South Dakota: I reckon I'll give it 2 thumbs up.  A beautiful surprise.

When in Rome...

Or I should say, when in North Dakota... 

You know me.  I always need to check out how the locals spend their free time. In my free time here, I never expected to go hunting.  Just my luck, some lovely new local friends invited me to join them opening weekend for an early morning of pheasant hunting.  

Growing up in Pennsylvania, you'd think I would be well-versed on gunning game. But the whole experience was quite foreign.  Don't worry, since my only experience shooting dates back to the days of Nintendo's Duck Hunt(and quite honestly I'm not sure I would pull the trigger if needed!)us ladies walked along and kept the pushing to the professionals.

Up and at 'em before sunrise.  

Walking the grassy fields.

Don't forget about Turk, an excited springer spaniel who helped flush out the roosters. 

Success! Obligatory hunting shot.  No I did not finish this guy off, but we thought it would add a little something to the photo.  

In case you're wondering about my attire, I must reluctantly admit that IS a Denver Broncos jersey you see.  Forced against my will in the name of safety - must wear orange.  But hey, orange is the new black, right?

Feels like winter is coming fast up north.  I've been channeling my domestic diva and cooking up fall foods in the kitchen.  

Freakishly excited that canned pumpkin is on the shelves. Last year Down Under, we couldn't find pureed pumpkin in the shops.  So I stocked up and made these biscuits for brekky:

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2013/10/pumpkin-spice-quinoa-breakfast-cookies.html

Warming up today with one of my favorites:  white chicken chili.

http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2010/02/recipe-for-amys-amazing-white-chicken.html

Road trip

First stop: Chitown.  I called this welcoming Midwest city home for 5 years and was thrilled to stop in for a quick overnight to catch up with some true blue friends.

Kel and Jen

"There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate."  

Kelly was kind enough to pass along a care package with of all my favorite things to help get through the North Dakota winter - including chocolate! 

2nd Stop: Wisconsin. The creative Cheeseheads in this state make about 600 varieties and produce over 2.6 billion pounds per year. If you love this tasty treat, check out everything you've ever wanted to know at http://iamacheesehead.com/.

3rd stop: Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Trees bursting with autumn colors in Minneapolis - a  beautiful city I hope to return to in the next few months.

3rd stop: North Dakota. 
Black Eyed Susans along the road.

How could I pass this by folks? Check it off the bucket list...

Oh my what big horns you have!

Frontier Village:  Jamestown, North Dakota
http://tourjamestown.com/what-to-see/frontier-village/

1400 miles later, I've reached my new temp home - welcomed by snow spotted hills.

Settling in and looking forward to exploring the North Central US of A.