The Black Hills received several inches of fluffy snow last night. Today, the sky is brilliant blue – not a cloud in the sky. Sunny skies seem common after a snow storm in this part of South Dakota.
The photo above is a tree in Deadwood’s Mount Moriah. The branches caught all the light fluffy snow and they really pop against the blue sky.
Finding raw milk and local grass-fed beef is easier than ever for Black Hills residents. The Red Barn Farmer’s Market in Spearfish is the place for locavores in western South Dakota.
They are open 11am to 6pm Monday through Saturday. This is the new retail face of Black Hills Milk. Not only can you get milk and beef, they have eggs, cheese, jams, jellies and lots of local seasonal produce. When I was in the other day there was lots of squash and hydroponic cucumbers and herbs.
You’ll find the market right next to Crow Peak Brewery at the corner of Highway 14 and Evans Lane. Or, about a block west of Guadalajara’s.
I love the eggs, the yolks are so yellow!
When you think of Wind Cave National Park, most people think of the miles and miles of underground caverns. However, there are also many hiking opportunities through the beautiful areas of timber and prairie. The southern tip of the Centennial Trail is located in the Park.
The Rankin Ridge Nature Trail is a nice one mile loop that provides great views of the surrounding landscape. You’ll find the trail in the Northern portion of the park on highway 87, just a few miles from Custer State Park. At the trailhead there is a trail guide, pick up a copy and watch for numbered posts along the hike. The trail goes right under the old fire tower. The tower is no longer in use and is closed to climbing, however, it is neat to see the old structure.
If you like interpretive trails, the Alkali Creek Nature Trail in the Northern Black Hills also has a great trail guide. The hiking options are almost endless in the Black Hills National Forest.  And, if you enjoy old fire towers I encourage you to visit Flag Mountain Lookout.