Sarah and I went on a short vacation a week ago out in the Hills, staying in a secluded cabin in Hill City. The entrance to this cabin was the Mickelson Trail. We were on it every day, multiple times a day. Hardly anybody else around. We went biking, hiking, walking, and running each day. We saw all kinds of wildlife out there, like this one with a deer greeting us on the trail! We saw turkeys, and some coyotes too. The view is breathtaking, and if you have never been on the Mickelson Trail, you have to try it, as there is well over 100 miles of converted railroad line made into the Trail.
We went hiking while we were out there. The plan was to go up Harney Peak, now Black Elk Peak, but just our luck, it was under maintenance beginning the day we got out there, until the day we left! So we did some other hiking trails around Sylvan Lake since we were already out there.
The scenery around Sylvan Lake is incredible! It was a great substitute for what we originally were planning on doing.
We hauled our bikes out there and rode 30 miles at a time several days while we were out there. The one day we went past Crazy Horse as well. The hills are quite the challenge out there. Either direction we took off from, we were starting off uphill. 7 miles one way, over 9 miles the other way. Coming back was great going down them, but boy did you work going up!
We had to take a minute for a breather working uphill!
Going down you just hung on!
Lots of different scenery to look at, and experience with this converted railroad line. We stopped many times, mostly to take pictures!
The view of our cabin from the Mickelson Trail. The social distancing, and overall quiet break was absolutely perfect to forget about everything else going back on in the world. The sunrises/sunsets out in the Hills are totally amazing as well.
Remember, we all need a break at times. But, by staying active, there is so much more to do and see, and create adventures with…and make memories! Social distancing is not such a bad thing when you have things like this to do, and see. Make time to take time! Enjoy life! Take it all in, and be safe! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day of New Streak: #526
