Feels like I have spent nearly the entire summer in South Dakota, and this last week both pushed my comfort zone and added to my unique experiences.
I was interviewed live by Lori Walsh for her radio show In The Moment on South Dakota Public Broadcasting. I was promoting my book – Black Elk Peak – and generating some interest for my upcoming presentation. Lori has quite the radio voice and listening to her is a pleasure.
In The Moment with Lori Walsh on South Dakota Public Broadcasting. Photo by Chynna Lockett.
It was a privilege to get fifteen minutes on In The Moment. I even got a plug in for Habitat for Humanity, explaining briefly the RV Care-A-Vanners program. A live radio interview by a regionally well-known host was way outside my comfort zone, and I was certainly glad when that was behind me.
I was invited to be a panelist at the Black Elk Legacy Event hosted by the South Dakota Hall of Fame. Black Elk Peak Legacy Event panel discussion sponsored by the South Dakota Hall of Fame and South Dakota Public Broadcasting. I treasured the opportunity to meet a lot of interesting people: Myron Pourier, Black Elk’s great great grandson, Charles Trimble, representing the Neihardt Foundation and Dale Lamphere, Dignity Sculpturist (the 50-foot sculpture at the I90 rest area near Chamberlain, South Dakota / click here to see it —> DIGNITY).
Kickapoo State Park in Illinois en route from South Dakota to Ohio.To round out the events, I presented a one-hour Learning Forum entitled Black Elk Peak Revealed at the Journey Museum and Learning Center in Rapid City, SD. I was fortunate to have about 85 people present and followed the presentation with a book signing. Great questions and discussions.
I was also enjoying the Black Hills – especially hiking, biking and kayaking. It was now time to leave the Black Hills, although I know I will be back frequently.Bear Butte State Park in South Dakota – a 3 mile hike gaining 1,000 feet in elevation.
I’m now traversing 1,200 miles of South Dakota (again!), Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana to reach Ohio. A buckeye tree greeted me along a hike at Kickapoo State Park.For those who are curious, I am currently 994 miles into this 1,200 mile leg and have burned through 92 gallons of diesel at a rate of 10.75 miles per gallon. That’s a Ford F250 pulling an 11,000-pound fifth wheel trailer on all highway miles.
