We arrived the evening of Sunday, July 31st after our yearly stop at Walmart in Spearfish for groceries. This time, we were surprised to not be met with cattle. And because of that the grass was knee high. I high-stepped it from the truck to the trailer, watching for snakes. We were also pleasantly surprised to find no evidence of critters, since May.
We got settled in and enjoyed the cool, clear evening that was soon filled with stars. As always, the milky way became more visible as the night darkened and our eyes adjusted. I can’t get enough photos of it when I’m out here. I got in some shots before turning in as we were both pretty tired.
We woke to bright sunlight and I’m happy to say, I got a really decent night’s sleep. Last trip out I bought a foam mattress topper and that really helped. I was concerned about coming out with my bum hip and how I’d be able to sleep, but thankfully I slept like a prairie rock.
So it’s Monday and our first task is to get water. Our rancher neighbors came by to say hello and graciously offered to fill our portable water tank. We drove to their ranch about a mile away and chatted in the hot sun as we filled our tank and the horses wandered around us, swatting flies.
It’s been a HOT day on the prairie. Our poor AC unit has struggled all day. I’m still seriously considering the kiddie pool I saw at Walmart as I splash water over my feet on our concrete pad..
Later we visited some friends camping in Spearfish. As the sun set on this first day of August, the smoke from the Fish fire burning in Wyoming came into view.
