As I become more and more a part of life in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, I am again finding my place as part of the rhythm of the seasons and the natural (real) world. I find myself taking up and beginning again to weave the threads of meaningful life patterns that have always been most important to me.
October brought full and glorious manifestation of autumn throughout the 'Hills. The leaves were turning, wildlife was 'on the move. In the days when I had my NH farm, this would mean bringing in the garden harvest. This meant drying, and freezing, curing, and mulching the rows of vegetables- if they were going to winter over in the garden. There was always a lot to do during the fall harvest. And still- when the 'meadow grass is turnin' brown, I get the urge for-"gathering in".
Not yet having a garden of my own, this means attending the Farmer's Market. There are several in Rapid City, and they are growing every year. I gratefully support these, but- the restless winds of fall made me 'jones for an adventure. Who should I enlist in this but my favorite partner in excitement, JhonDuane! Of course, the chili pepper harvest and roasting was in progress at the Colorado Farmer's Markets, and so- he was quick to agree to the plan, and soon we were heading south.
This time we traveled to Boulder and there spent the night. JhonDuane took me to the Rio Grande- a wonderful Mexican restaurant, with a charming old stone exterior, and a very lively interior!
This was the view we enjoyed from the mezzanine as we waited for our table (which was the little table in the center, to the right).
The food was delicious, but the portions were so generous I just couldn't eat it all!
After we left, we took advantage of the beautiful night, which was generously warm for mid-October. We walked with the throngs of people down the brick-paved walks, resplendent with copious flowers, overflowing their beds everywhere I looked. Here and there we peeked into charming shops, but only got serious when we entered the bookstore, where-after a considerable browse- we both walked away with small treasures. After this the travel of the day caught up with us, and we gratefully sank into bed for the night.
Next morning, Jhon had a suggestion...since I had never been through the Rockies, why not take the Peak to Peak road south to Fort Collins? Great idea!
(Click on the map once to enlarge it, and once again to make it full-screen).
October brought full and glorious manifestation of autumn throughout the 'Hills. The leaves were turning, wildlife was 'on the move. In the days when I had my NH farm, this would mean bringing in the garden harvest. This meant drying, and freezing, curing, and mulching the rows of vegetables- if they were going to winter over in the garden. There was always a lot to do during the fall harvest. And still- when the 'meadow grass is turnin' brown, I get the urge for-"gathering in".
Not yet having a garden of my own, this means attending the Farmer's Market. There are several in Rapid City, and they are growing every year. I gratefully support these, but- the restless winds of fall made me 'jones for an adventure. Who should I enlist in this but my favorite partner in excitement, JhonDuane! Of course, the chili pepper harvest and roasting was in progress at the Colorado Farmer's Markets, and so- he was quick to agree to the plan, and soon we were heading south.
This time we traveled to Boulder and there spent the night. JhonDuane took me to the Rio Grande- a wonderful Mexican restaurant, with a charming old stone exterior, and a very lively interior!
This was the view we enjoyed from the mezzanine as we waited for our table (which was the little table in the center, to the right).
The food was delicious, but the portions were so generous I just couldn't eat it all!
After we left, we took advantage of the beautiful night, which was generously warm for mid-October. We walked with the throngs of people down the brick-paved walks, resplendent with copious flowers, overflowing their beds everywhere I looked. Here and there we peeked into charming shops, but only got serious when we entered the bookstore, where-after a considerable browse- we both walked away with small treasures. After this the travel of the day caught up with us, and we gratefully sank into bed for the night.
Next morning, Jhon had a suggestion...since I had never been through the Rockies, why not take the Peak to Peak road south to Fort Collins? Great idea!
From this point on, the way became winding and narrow, as we worked our way down and out of the mountains, and on into Fort Collins, where the Farmer's Market was in full swing.
