The road to...

I'm convinced that if Google Maps had existed, every Hope/Crosby adventure movie would have started with Bob Hope saying, "If Google says to go this way, well, then, what are we waiting for?"

Having to go back up...

That's where I found myself today when the already sketchy gravel Whitewater Creek Rd. turned into a 3-way conundrum. First I tried going up, knowing that coming back down would be easiest. Nothing. Then I tried going down, knowing that coming back up would be ridiculous if the trail fizzled out. It did, and it was. Finally, I went around the gate for door #3. A No Trespassing sign met me 1/4 mile later.

If all of this hadn't happened, I would not have been looking pretty desperately for water a little while later, and I wouldn't have met Mark and Trouble.

Mark and Trouble 

Mark has raised wolves since he was twelve years old. Trouble is one of a dozen that Mark now has, along with about ten foxes. He routinely drives to Lakeville, MN, to the dog food factory, to pick up food for the animals, by the ton. Did I mention that he drives from outside Deadwood, SD?

I'm sure there's something very profound about this, but I'm tired, and that will have to wait for another day.