Hill City Prevailer

The outdoors are for all

Published by admin on Thu, 09/17/2020 - 11:30am

There once was a time that I didn’t like to go outside.

This drove people crazy. As a child, if someone asked me if I wanted to go outside, I’d respond: “No, thank you,” and then go back to playing NHL ’99 on my N64 or watching cartoons.

As a young child, the only time I remembered liking to play outside was when I was at my one friend’s house, who had trenches built in his yard so we could pretend we were fighting in World War II.

My grand adventure — part one

Published by admin on Thu, 09/10/2020 - 10:48am

A few weeks back I got a harebrained scheme to solo the Owen Spalding route on the Grand Teton. Well, sort of. I got the idea to do the route. My partner was the one who suggested we solo it. I know some of you are confused so I will back up.

The Grand Teton is the tallest mountain in the Grand Tetons, which most of you know if a National Park in Wyoming. It stands at 13,776 feet tall and you can stand on the top of it. The easiest way to do so is to hike eight miles to the upper saddle from the Lupine Meadows trailhead. The trail ascends almost 6,000 feet in elevation.

The most wonderful time of the year

Published by admin on Thu, 09/03/2020 - 10:54am

I’ve written about three seasons before, but I have yet to write about my favorite season: fall.

For me, in my post grad life as a journalist, fall starts the day I cover my first high school football game. This year, fall started on Aug. 28. You could say that’s early, but I don’t care.

My dog is tougher than yours

Published by admin on Thu, 08/27/2020 - 10:36am

My dog Sadie is incredible! Besides being an amazing rock climbing dog and incredible stand up paddle boarding pup, she can add to her resume extraordinary extreme hiker.

Mom dragged her up to Florence Lake. This is a 20-mile round trip hike at about 11,000 feet. Not crazy far. Or crazy high. But Sadiegirl hiked it car to car in 10 hours!

Yes you read that right.

Sadie was woken up at 3:40 a.m. after spending the night truck camping, sleeping on her “perch” inside the Toyota Tundra.

She skipped breakfast, even though mom pleaded with her to eat.

School is here again

Published by admin on Thu, 08/20/2020 - 10:21am

Back to school, back to school.

Yes, it’s that time of year again. Chances are you’re reading this either the day Hill City students are going back to school or the day after.

Let me tell you what: as a child, one of my favorite days of the year was the day I went back to school. Yes, I was always sad to see the summer end, but I was probably one of a handful of kids in the entire nation who loved school.

An ode to bikers and biking

Published by admin on Thu, 08/13/2020 - 11:18am

I finally rode my hog over Beartooth Pass. I was told it’s one of the most beautiful roads in the country. I’m not sure I agree, but it sure was pretty. I had what could only be called a “biker’s” dream — perfect weather. I didn’t need to take off or put on any layers during my three-day, 996-mile ride.

Welcome to the Black Hills and Hill City

Published by admin on Thu, 08/06/2020 - 10:56am

Welcome, welcome, one and all to the 80th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally!

Let me be one of the many people to welcome you to our little neck of the woods here in Hill City. While Sturgis may have the fun and crazy events, here in Hill City we’re a little bit more laid back.

I’m not a biker, but I can assure you the Rally is one of my favorite parts of the year. I love seeing all the people in town, hearing stories from people who took a cross-country trek out here and just seeing people enjoy everything our town has to offer.

School is returning

Published by admin on Thu, 07/30/2020 - 10:56am

If you recall, the last day of traditional education was March 13, and after five months of distance learning and summer break our students and staff are ready to return. We feel like we have developed a common-sense plan for the upcoming school year that will help our district assess the local Covid situation and tailor our instructional delivery around it.

Learning to live local

Published by admin on Thu, 07/30/2020 - 10:55am

While many people have seen the zombie apocalypse as a royal pain in the you-know-what, I have learned to embrace all of the good in it.

Aside from the obvious, enjoying more fresh air, more “alone” time, more time listening to the birds or petting my dog, I have been reminded of a way I used to live that I somehow moved away from. I spent 15 years sans Wallymart. I did not step foot inside one unless I absolutely needed a restroom and had no other choice. I spent $0 in the store. Fifteen years.

Take to the open road

Published by admin on Thu, 07/23/2020 - 11:01am

Roughly 10 years ago this time (I cannot remember the exact date) I got my driver’s license.

Now we in Maryland need to wait a little longer than those in South Dakota to get our license (if I recall correctly when I got mine you had to be 16 and 6 months), but I still remember that feeling — that feeling of true freedom and the first time as a youth that you are handed adult responsibilities.