Hiking Lover's Leap Trail

We were greeted this morning by this ten year old bull as he decided to cross the road right in front of us


Pop's said "he's an old timer and can do whatever he wants to"

We set out yesterday morning for Custer State Park to hike “Lover’s Leap Trail”. Mom and Pop’s had told us about this trail and we have wanted to hike it but it’s 15 miles away. Today was the day. We didn’t have any work planned so this morning we decided we would just have some fun. Legend has it that when a tribe wouldn't let a brave marry the woman he chose they would both jump to their death from this high peak. Lover's leap is approximately 250 feet above the valley floor. Rather than write about the trail here’s some pictures.

Pop's and Gina starting off on the trail


Pop's taking our picture


On Top of "Lover's Leap"


All of us on "Lover's Leap"


It was so beautiful that I believe I could have just stood there all day


A view looking out from "Lover's Leap"


Absolutely Beautiful, these pictures don't do it justice


A fast moving stream that we crossed about ten times


Gina crossing the stream


Pop's missed the rock and stepped in the stream


Getting a Kiss on "Lover's Leap"

Around ten o’clock we finished the hike and then set out to drive the wildlife loop here in Custer State Park.

A herd of Buffalo


A mother and her calf


Another old bull doing his own thing


As we drove the scenery changed to grasslands


Gina petting a wild burro


a very young burro


Gina feeding both a mother and her little one


Pronghorn antelope


A valley of flowers for Gina

We made it back home around noon so Mom could make her hair appointment. We ate lunch and then with bad weather moving in I decided to take a nap in my recliner while it rained outside. The rain brought in some much cooler temperatures. When I walked outside with shorts on I turned around and headed back inside and put blue jeans on. It was 58 degrees. Gina walked over to talk to Pop’s and he said we needed some warm food for dinner. So with that Gina began to make some homemade chili for Pop’s. Gina was going to make Taco Soup but she didn’t’ have everything to make it. Gina had it cooking during our social hour so when Mom arrived home at a little after five o’clock everyone was ready to eat.


We also wanted to cook for Rocky & Sheri since this would be their last night with us. They are leaving in the morning heading toward California. We have enjoyed their friendship and help on Mom & Pop’s Summer Cabin. We pray for their safe travels as they continue their “Heromakers” journey on the mission field. We said good night to everyone and headed inside so I could watch my new favorite show “Covert Affairs”. After the show was over I kissed Gina good night and headed to bed. We enjoyed another great day here in the “Black Hills”.

As a little side note to our family in Louisiana we are waking up to a cool 49 degrees this morning. Not trying to rub it in but it feels wonderful. We love y’all.


Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.

Completing Small Jobs

Sunday afternoon Rocky and I installed the insulation and plywood on top of the ceiling. This will allow for some storage on top of Mom & Pop’s summer cabin.

Grey clouds moving in with "Old Glory" flying


Everyone sitting inside prepared for the rain

There was a storm moving in during the afternoon so we sat inside of the barn waiting for the rain. It did rain and hail a little but it moved out within an hour.

Monday morning found us waking up to a hazy yet still beautiful morning. After writing and posting the blog we headed outside to watch Rocky and Pop’s installing the water heater.

Pop's installing the water heater

While they were doing that Gina and I rearranged and cleaned up the barn a little. Mom got to hang out clothes on her new clothesline for the first time. I walked over to take a picture and realized she had her and Pop’s underwear hanging on it. I didn’t think anyone on here wanted to see that so I didn’t take a picture. Mom and I got a good laugh when I told her about it. In the afternoon we installed the plywood on the exterior wall exposed to the inside of the barn.

Cutting out a hole for the receptacle


Another piece of plywood getting hung


Cutting another piece of plywood, the wall is almost complete

Even though their summer cabin has taken over almost half of their barn they will still a lot of space left.

There is really not a lot we can do until the drywall contractor finishes. Which he's still saying will be finished on Wednesday. By the time we finished hanging the plywood it was time for a shortened social hour that was followed by dinner. I grilled steaks while Gina baked potatoes and Mom fixed a salad. Another great day!

Beautiful sunrise

We are waking up this morning to a beautiful sunrise and getting ready for a hike up Lover’s Leap with Mom and Pop's.


Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.

Why Are We Here In South Dakota?

A few people have asked us why we are here? So today I thought I would try to explain. Mike and Pat are very special to Gina and I. God has created a special bond between the four of us and has blessed us from the first day we met. We call them Mom and Pop’s because that is what they are to us. They have taken us in and treated us as though we were their children. This bond only strengthened while we were with them in Arizona for two months. I believe initially God brought us together because we shared something that few people do in that we both had lost a son. This relationship provided us with great therapy. There are no words to describe the loss of a child. We both believe God knew what we needed and placed both of them in our lives. They are slowing down now after 15 years of living fulltime in an RV. We, on the other hand are just beginning our fulltime travels. We helped them settle in their new home in Arizona and while there, we discussed building some type of living quarters in their pole barn located here in South Dakota. Gina and I are not builders by any stroke of imagination. However, God blessed us with the gift of love and we live our life by giving ourselves to others. We’re just His hands being guided by Him to accomplish His will.

On our departure from Arizona we agreed that after we took care of some personal business in Louisiana we would meet them in South Dakota and begin building their “Summer Cabin”. There is no doubt God has His hand in this Cabin. I would have never believed we would be painting the walls within 30 days after we started construction. We have and continue to give all the Praise and Glory to Our Heavenly Father for the Blessings He has given to us.

As Mike and Gerri from Freedom2roll commented the other day “built with hands of love”. We couldn’t have said it any better or clearer. Thanks for the comment.

Mom and Pop’s, we are still in awe and humbled by how God brought us together. We cherish the memories that we have shared thus far. Both of you mean so much to Gina and I and we consider it an honor that you allow us to call you Mom & Pop’s. Even though your Summer Cabin is not finished, the end is in sight. We are looking forward to finishing it and hope you enjoy it as much as we have enjoyed building it. Thank you for allowing us to take part in it.


I do not have any pictures to post today since the summer cabin still looks the same. The drywall contractor continues his work on taping and applying mud to the drywall. Hopefully he will be applying the texture on Wednesday. Gina is biting at the bit to start painting. Stayed tuned to see this barn become a cozy cabin.


Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.