Exploring South Dakota
By John Andrews/ Editor at South Dakota Magazine
The coronavirus has upended lives around the world. Our routines as we knew them just a few short weeks ago no longer exist. Many of us, including the South Dakota Magazine staff, are working from home.
Businesses are shuttered, gatherings of more than 10 people are forbidden and — in the event that folks do need to leave their houses — a 6-foot buffer between humans at the very least must be maintained, all in an effort to slow the spread of the deadly virus.
One refrain that keeps popping up, though, is that the outdoors are never closed. We try to take a walk around Yankton every day that the weather allows (and we all know that the transition from winter to spring in South Dakota can be wildly unpredictable).
The movement and fresh air do wonders for both our physical and mental health. With that in mind, here are three favorite hiking trails that I’ve discovered while on the road. Later, in our July/August issue, we’ll have even more ways you can safely enjoy the outdoors in South Dakota during what is shaping up to be an unprecedented summer.
Stay safe and healthy by exploring these or other trails near you.
Stratobowl Trail
It’s a short and easy hike from busy Highway 16 to the spot where scientists made history in 1935. The Stratobowl Rim Trail begins on a gravel maintenance route about 2 miles west of Bear Country USA (look for a closed gate and maybe a parked car or two).
The path is wide and well maintained, but there are plenty of large rocks along the way, so be sure to have sturdy footwear.
Nearly every step of the 0.8-mile trail follows the well-worn road through the tall pine trees of the Black Hills National Forest. The trail branches off to the left near the end, and a narrower path leads to four granite slabs that tell the story of the Stratobowl balloon launches of 1934 and 1935 that sought to collect information about the upper reaches of the Earth’s atmosphere.
During the second launch, scientists floated more than 72,000 feet into the stratosphere, higher than any human had previously traveled.
An overlook tucked among the limestone cliffs provides a panoramic view of the Black Hills and the bowl below. Plan about an hour for the out and back hike.
Alkali Trail
This short and family-friendly trail takes hikers through a variety of Black Hills landscapes: a creek valley, ponderosa pine forests and prairie meadows, all in the shadow of Bear Butte.
From Interstate 90, take exit 34. Follow a gravel road toward Sturgis known locally as the Old Stone Road or the Fort Meade Backcountry Byway. Around a bend the road crosses Alkali Creek.
After another few hundred feet, you’ll find the gravesite of Black Hills outlaw Curley Grimes. Across the road is a small campground and access to the Alkali Trail.
Grab a brochure at the trailhead and follow along to each of 10 marked posts along the path.
Starting at the creek and progressing through the woods, into a clearing and back, each stop provides a natural history lesson — Native Americans used the green ash trees to fashion poles, bows and arrows; rocks covered with lichens are slowly decomposing into soil; patches of snowberry provide excellent winter cover for deer.
The Alkali Trail is slightly more than half a mile long. Allow about 45 minutes for a leisurely hike.
Gavins Point Nature Trail
The Gavins Point Nature Trail is a family-friendly path within the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area, about 9 miles west of Yankton. A kiosk at the trailhead offers brochures that explain the types of trees and insects found in the forest.
Kids can use them as a scavenger hunt guide as they traverse the 1.2-mile dirt path. They’ll have fun identifying the Eastern red cedars, bur oaks and old cottonwoods that grow thick along the Missouri River bluffs, and the millipedes and spiders that crawl around the undergrowth.
Adults will appreciate the exercise. Two wooden bridges, a set of stairs and several inclines account for the trail’s moderate rating.
About halfway through, hikers are rewarded with a magnificent view of the shimmering water and chalkstone bluffs of Lewis and Clark Lake.
By Marsha Risseeuw
We are feeling it, the stress and anxiety of living in a very different world. In fewer than 100 days our lives have become something that we don’t understand, that makes us fearful, that makes us ask a lot of questions.
A few of the obvious indicators include a feeling of restlessness, hyperventilating, difficulty concentrating, a general sense of irritation.
Anxiety is a natural response to stress, but, let’s take a clue from the people around us who encourage us to not give into these dark forces.
I say to all of you, grab your cup of coffee, put on a smile and make this day great.
One lady in our community has found a way to help us do just that. Anna Hockett Nesseth began sharing one of her many talents with us on Facebook. With little technical experience, Anna set up the phone camera in her living room next to her much loved piano and let the music flow.
Two miracles happened, her music and her connecting to Facebook.
For the rest of the story, pick up this week’s edition of the Winner Advocate or subscribe to the Winner Advocate at 1-605-842-1481!
Rose Marie Kahler passed away March 29, 2020 after a brief bout with cancer at the Mayo clinic in Rochester, MN.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in Burke, SD.
Rose was born June 29, 1947 in Burke, SD to Glen and Lucine (Haidle) Smizer.
She attended school in Burke, graduating from Burke High School in 1966. After graduating, Rose attended beautician school in Nebraska.
She met Paul Kahler in 1968 they were married Sept. 4, 1970 in Winner, SD. To this union, two children were born, Tammy and Tim. They lived in Winner until 1976, when they moved to Sturgis, SD.
In 1980 she moved with her family to Rapid City, where she lived the rest of her life.
Rose did childcare until she retired in 2010. She enjoyed listening to country music, dancing, bingo, going out to lunch with her friends and spending time with her grandkids.
Rose was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Arnold; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Rudolph and Lucille Kahler and son-in-law, Ira Sharpfish.
Grateful for having shared in Rose’s live are her husband, Paul; her children, Tammy (Brian) Snyder of Burke and Tim (Felicia) Kahler of Rapid City; her grandchildren, Steve Kautz of Burke, Shawn (Monserrat) Sharpfish of Honolulu, HI, Shawna Sharpfish of Burke and Shawntel Sharpfish of Burke; brother-in-law, Rudy (Lori) Kahler of Winner, SD; nieces and nephews and many good friends.
Arrangements are with Kirk Funeral Home of Rapid City. www.kirkfuneralhome.com
A private family service will be held on April 13, 2020, with a memorial service to take place at a later date.
Marilynn Jiracek, 96, of Winner, SD, passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2020 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Facility in Winner, SD.
Marilynn was born to Martha and John “Shorty” Hoy on Dec. 27, 1923.
Marilynn was a well-known seamstress in Winner and the surrounding area. She loved painting and listening to country music. She spent many hours tending her flowers and garden.
She is survived by her daughter Carolyn Foss, sister June Tappe, son-in-law Vernon, daughter-in-law Deb; grandchildren Colleen (Mark), Laurel (Mike), Shawn, Michael (Alaina), Terry (Shasta), Stacie (Shane), and Kevin (Sheena); along with her great grandchildren Alex, Shaun, Nicole, Siara (Hersh), Taylor (Sam), Jacquelynn, Shawn II,
Bruce, Riley, Payton, Harley, Madden, Stetson, Sawyer, Satyana; and great, great grandchildren Hudson, Saxton, Magnolia, Everly, and Rowdy, as well as many nieces
and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Sheryl, son Billy, sister Ada, and brothers Lawrence and Billy.
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