Fall in the Hills!

Fall is in the air. This a beautiful time in the Black Hills. Enjoy the leaves changing in Spearfish Canyon, a local favorite for ushering in autumn.

Exciting things are happening in Rapid City and the Black Hills. Stop by, email or give me a call! I'd love to hear from you.

Backpacker Magazine named Rapid City as one of the top places raise an outdoor kid.

How cool is that?!

You can read more about it here.

Summer in the Black Hills! There is no better place to be. Visit the Rapid City CVB for a list of happenings and exciting events! There is never a dull moment.

*photo of Canyon Lake Park from Rapid City CVB website.

Off to a Great Start!

January in Rapid City and the Black Hills is filled with exciting things to do in the area. This weekend is no exception. We are very proud of our Arts community here in Rapid City and this weekend's grand opening of the new, expanded Dahl Fine Arts Center has the town buzzing.

The festivities are as follows:

7:00pm - Public Reception in Lobby & Galleries (use main lobby entrance on 7th Street)

8:00pm - Building Dedication Ceremony - John T. Vucurevich Event Center

8:30pm - Sugar Free Jazz Concert - John T. Vucurevich Event Center -- These guys are a terrific band of some of our most talented local musicians. Make sure to check out the sax player -- sometimes he plays two instruments at once!

Additional entertainment throughout the evening by: Barefoot Dance Studios, Center High Chamber Quartet, Mila Gilleland.

For more information, check out the link here: Dahl Fine Arts Center

If you are looking for outdoor activities, the Park Service is offering a SnowShoe Walk on the Mickelson Trail. , 1 p.m., Black Hills Trail Office, Lead. Contact: 584-3896

On Sunday, if you have a moment, please come visit me at my open houses!

Details below:

4047 Recluse Ct. From 12-2:00pm













Stainless steel appliances, tile entry, 9x8 breakfast nook, granite countertops in kitchen, unique floor plan, very modern. Private entry courtyard. Not your typical Rapid City home. Follow this map to get there!



Then come by: 630 Anamosa from 2:15 - 4:00

Immaculate condition inside and out. Lots of kitchen cabinets, countertop Jenn Air grille, double oven, the kitchen is very open and spacious. Family room in the lower level has a native black slate fireplace. Large fireplace in the living room upstairs, formal dining room. Beautiful yard with mature trees, underground sprinkling system.

Follow this map to find me here!

Getting geared up for the Holidays!

Feeling stuffed after all that good turkey and pumpkin pie? I've got a few happenings for you that will help get you goin' after the big day!

My favorite "mark off the season" event in Rapid City is the Festival of Lights Parade. This community event kicks off Saturday in downtown Rapid City at 6pm. The city lights will dim and downtown will be transformed into a magical land of lights and floats and horse-drawn carriages. It is a must see! For more information click here.

Head on over to the Boy's Club to get your tree. Tree sales started November 24 and they have an awesome collection to choose from. You'll get your own personal "tour guide" who will willingly hold up as many trees as you like so you can walk around and judge them from all sides. I know from experience :-) Click here for more information.

If hitting the hills with an axe or a saw is more your style, the Forest Service is selling tree permits. You are allowed to cut your tree in the Hills, subject to certain restrictions (be sure to read up before you go) -- but nothing is more fun than hiking around the Hills looking for that perfect tree! For more information click here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Where are all the Rapid City Goblins?

It's time for trick-or-treating! Get ready for those goblins and ghouls and pretty princesses that will come knocking on your door.

Still thinking about decorating for the holiday? This article at the Rapid City Journal talks about where to go and who to see for those special decorating ideas. HGTV offers some terrific decorating ideas that won't break your budget. Even more decorating ideas can be found here at about.com.

Or if you prefer, many area groups and churches hold Harvest Festivals or Trunk or Treat festivities. And, if I am not mistaken, there is a huge festival at the Rapid City Civic Center with games and treats for all. And of course there is the spooky haunted house Terror in the Dark at the Central States Fairgrounds in the Soule Building. For older kids, this is a must-do!

Today I have a terrific open house for you.

Sunday 1-3pm

23700 Mulligan Mile

$268,500

HART RANCH golf course. One level living at its best! No more lawn mowing, no snow shoveling, just sit out on the deck or play golf and just relax. This 2 bedroom 2 bath home is just incredible, large kitchen, formal dining room, gas fireplace in the living room for those chilly evenings. What more could you want?



Follow this handy map to the open house:

View Larger Map

Fall in the Hills

Fall time in the Black Hills will take your breath away! The most gorgeous area, Spearfish Canyon, is bursting with color from the many groves of Aspen trees that cling on the sides of the cliffs. It is well worth a Sunday afternoon to take a drive through the canyon to see the changing leaves. Bridal Veil Falls is particularly gorgeous this time of year. Look for mountain goats on the craggy cliffs -- they are often seen here.

The best website I have found that details what to see and expect in Spearfish Canyon is put together by the Spearfish Canyon Foundation. This site details the Scenic Byway, along with maps, a self-guided tour, and interactive tour map and a photo essay. The history of Spearfish Canyon is also outlined here and well-worth a read before your trek.

This website also has lots of information on Spearfish Canyon and tons of pictures sent in from readers. However, pictures don't do it justice. This is something that needs to be seen in person.

Another website with great information about Spearfish Canyon comes from GORP. This site details Road Trip Guides and the Top 10 Scenic Drives. Spearfish Canyon is certainly in MY top ten! :-) The GORP site gives a mile-by-mile play by play of what to see and expect on your drive. It is a good resource to print out and take along or pull up on your PDA while you are driving through.


Want to find out more about the city of Spearfish while you are there? Spearfish itself has a website that details information about the town and what to see and do while there.

After your drive in the hills, stop for a coffee and then come by and visit me at two open houses this Sunday:


Open house from 12:00 - 1:45 at 2203 South Ridge.
This home is located in the West Boulevard area with a large living room and an awesome deck. Great location -- walk to everything!







Follow this handy map to get there:


View Larger Map


Our second open house is from 2:00 - 3:30 at 3918 Hall St. This cute story and a half home has new carpet and vinyl. A large master bedroom closet and master bath -- good sized eat-in kitchen. Newer furnace and air conditioner!









This map will take you right there!



View Larger Map

Never Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd!

This weekend there will be some thunder in the Black Hills -- no, not the Sturgis Rally -- that's already happened. I'm talking about the Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival in Custer State Park. Now this is a must see!

The event kicks off with a Chili Cookoff tomorrow -- the 19th annual Buffalo Wallow Chili Cookoff right in the park. This event grows larger every year and most competitors come complete with their own cheering sections, some even in costume! There will be live entertainment all day long and a large exhibit of arts and crafts for your perusal.

Don't miss the 4th annual Custer Arts Stampede. This exhibit features multiple life-sized buffalo statues that have been transformed into works of art by some of our best local talent.

Monday is when the real thunder starts. The 43rd annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup takes place starting in the morning and lasting throughout the day. Real cowboys and cowgirls round up the Park's buffalo herd for sorting, vaccinations and sales. It is amazing to see and brings you back to the true West. Park admission for the event is free on Monday -- you can't beat that! More information at www.custerstatepark.info

Of course, I also have two terrific open houses for you to visit as well!

The first is from 12:00 - 1:30 at 2218 38th Street in Rapid City. Immaculate cute and cozy! Super great location, close to Meadowbrook golf course, and Canyon Lake Park. The main floor features a newly remodeled kitchen, a living room and 2 bedrooms, the basement has a bedroom a large family room and laundry room. Hardwood floors and a neat archway that goes from the living room into the kitchen. The yard is private with a great patio, great for entertaining. Private well for watering the yard, flowers etc. Nice shed with power. Great home, great location.

Follow this handy map to get there:




View Larger Map

The second open house from 1:00 - 3:00 is at 2709 Knight Court. This is a Nnce home in Robbinsdale,new carpet and other updates, back yard great for kids or pets. New roof, sewer lines and appliances.

To get to this open house, here is a map:







View Larger Map