It is that time of year again, time for the Black Hills Steam & Gas Threshing Bee.

It will be held August 19th, 20th and 21st 2011.  It is located 1/2 mile past the Sturgis SD airport on Hereford Road

I always enjoy watching all the old iron in action.  Displays and exhibits include:

• Tractors
• Stationary Engines
• Steam Engines
• Model Engines
• Antiques
• Flea Market
• Threshing
• Rope making
• Sawmill
• And, more

Lunch is available and there is usually plenty for the kids to do.

Visit the Western Dakota Antique Club website for more information.

South Dakota has abundant wildlife.  There are beavers found throughout much of the state.  They are a bit reclusive – so you may not find them easily.

I spotted this fella playing in a small stream Northeast of Mitchell.

Community Caves

Community Caves (sometimes called Wild Cat Cavern) is a unique natural feature in Spearfish Canyon.   This is such a neat place, I find myself visiting every couple of months.  It almost seems like a different experience each time.  In the winter, it is a massive frozen waterfall and in the summer the small waterfall just trickles. Hiking in Spearfish Canyon is a great way to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

How do you get to Community Caves

It is easier to spot Community Caves from the road in the winter, because you can catch a glimpse of the ice as you round the corner – just before the parking pullout.

Right after mile marker 13, there is a pullout for parking – park there.  It is 2.7 miles south on Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, set your odometer just after the turn off Colorado Blvd.

Once you are parked, cross the road.  You’ll find a well-worn path in the ditch follow it north for several yards.  Watch for a path down to the stream, follow that down and cross the stream.  This should put you at the base of the narrow ravine that leads up to Community Caves.   If not, just look around, the vegetation hides the path in the summer – you’ll know the path when you find it.  It is well-worn and there is a small stream (from the waterfall) that runs along the trail.

Hiking to Community Caves

Finding the trail the first time is the hardest part.  However, the trail is not a cake walk either.  It is steep and the top portion has lots of small loose rocks and gravel.  There are no shear drops and no rock climbing skills are required.  A walking stick may be helpful and being sure footed helps too.  I’m not ready to take my small kids on this hike yet – simply because I wouldn’t be able to carry them very well on the last bit of the trail.

Community Caves Video

Please enjoy this video I shot at the caves.  You can see the final portion of the trail in a couple of  places in the video.

Spearfish Canyon is part of the Black Hills National Forest.  Be sure to enjoy some of the other hikes and waterfalls in the area.

A few of my favorite hikes in the area are:

Devils Bathtub

Crow Peak

Old Baldy

Bear Butte

Here is your chance to see a great parade in Deadwood. Actually, you have two chances to see the Days of 76 parade on Deadwood’s Historic Main Street.

When is the 2011 Days of 76 Parade?

Friday July 29th 2011 at 1:30pm

and

Saturday July 30th 2011 at 10:00 am

Where is the Parade held?

It starts at the rodeo grounds (just across from the First Gold) and travels up Main Street, then over to the Lawrence County Court House.

Saddle up

This is a really neat parade.  I don’t think you’ll see another parade with more horses or historic carriages.  Be sure to put this on your “to see” list.