Back Ground

Several years ago I decided to make a career change. I had been roofing in Phoenix AZ for many years and did not feel like I was fulfilling my destiny. I decided to go back to school and become a nurse. And so with my wife Kendra by my side I embarked on a remarkable journey , a journey of changes foreseen and unforeseen. When I began my schooling, nurses in Phoenix were in very high demand, hospital census was high, and sign on bonuses were the norm. Not so when I graduated. So after three months of fruitless searching in AZ, Kendra and I began to research compact states, and decided to apply at Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City South Dakota, where I was eventually hired. The result of this hire was the unforeseen change, we had talked of moving to another area after graduation but did not imagine SD would be where we would end up. However, we fell in love with the area on first arrival. The Black hills essentially began right in town, Deadwood, Lead, Spearfish, the Badlands, Hot Springs, Sturgis, and Mount Rushmore are all just a few miles away. Also, we are fortunate to have a congregation of 70 in Gillette Wyoming, which is only 150 miles west of us.

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Prairie Dog Shooting

My brother Dan and his wife Mauri were over this week, and Thursday Dan, Drew, and I went out looking for prairie dogs. We talked to my neighbor as he knew of some towns to try, on the way there we stopped at a ranger station and he was able to confirm a couple of locations.We shot a few dogs from 100 to 450-500 yards, of course its always breezy on the prairie so when you nail one at 400 or further its a great feeling. We also toured Custer state park with the family, the kids always love going there and having the burros stick there heads in the car window. Of course as always its great fun to have company, Jake and Erica stopped over today to as they were in Rapid doing a little shopping.
Posted by at 10:55 PM 3 comments

Thursday, March 15, 2012

FEB/MARCH

Drew and I went to a sportsman's expo. We looked and dreamed of owning one of the fabulous machines available today. They also had a silent auction in which we won a 2 night stay for 2 at the Historic Franklin Hotel in Deadwood SD, the deal comes with 2 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners.

Drew had a couple of balloon animals made.
Our fishing hole. The SD state record brown trout was caught out of here.
This is Rapid Creek in Canyon lake Park, a very beautiful park with lots of fishing and play potential.

Luke loves outings with the family.
Posted by at 7:32 PM 3 comments

Thursday, March 8, 2012

SHOTGUN CAMO

Figured it was time to get the old 870 Express ready for turkey hunting. It was generally beat up looking brown wood and blued steel. Painted it with Rustoleum camo paint, using cedar boughs and sticks to create patterns.



Posted by at 7:53 PM 2 comments

Friday, March 2, 2012

Life in Rapid City is surprisingly busy for not having any close friends or family nearby. Somehow we find something to do to fill the 2-3 nights per week we traditionally went out or entertained. That is the part I miss (if I let myself think about it). We were able to make it to Gillette last weekend for 3 fun filled days of visiting. The kids sure thrive on those days, nothing like a bunch of kids running around the house in their pajamas super excited for the sleep over. Baby Luke is already 6 weeks old and growing like a weed. The older kids and I have been trout fishing in the local lakes and streams but have yet to catch anything. I spend most of the time untangling their hooks from branches. Twice Emalee even caught my pants leg. Planning on turkey hunting this spring in the Black Hills, and prairie dog shooting in WY.
Posted by at 8:07 PM 2 comments
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