French Creek

 

French Creek, 8x10

WE TAKE A BACK WAY out of Custer State Park, as we begin to head north and west toward Belle Fourche, where Carol will participate in her archaeological dig. 

After encountering the group of lone male bison I mentioned yesterday, in the grassy undergrowth of some pine woods, we happen upon a horse camp. 

I've heard of horse motels before, but have never heard of a horse camp, and we are both fascinated  (more on the camp below). We circle through, and as we leave. come upon this stream, curling through a beautiful, sun-streaked field. 


Above, me painting by the side of the road. Below, my painting in the landscape. 


***
French Creek Horse Camp


FRENCH CREEK HORSE CAMP is one of nine camp sites in Custer State Park. To stay at this one, apparently, you have to have a horse! 

There are 28 campsites, at $40 per night, and each has access to two corrals. There are a few cabins, as well, and driving around, we see something that looked a little like a barn. 

Throughout the site, there are huge trailers. The back part is used for hauling horses, and the front part has living spaces for humans. Online. I'm able to see that these are basically small - and luxurious - RVs in the front. They are pulled by trucks that, to my uneducated eye, seem quite small. 

Many of these trailer/living space vehicles are huge and shiny and expensive-looking, but here and there, we see truck campers with smaller trailers alongside. And it seems that every campsite has at least one dog. 

To my eyes, it looks like heaven! I can't imagine much more fun than bringing your horses to a beautiful spot, having an RV holiday and riding on trails through gorgeous wilderness. 





THE KENNEDY AND ANDERSON families tell me they came from Iowa to Custer State Park to camp. There are three families, each with two people and two horses staying at each site. It's part of a longer camping tour they're on, and they appear to be having a great time! 

Kaja, their dog, is a blue heeler, and a frisbee fanatic! She is very happy to see me, and I believe the Kennedys and Andersons are very happy to have someone else throw the frisbee for a while.


***
Person of the Day 
Above, Carol Baney, dressed for the dig! 

IT'S CAROL BANEY, whose 60th birthday is today, and whose lifelong longing to participate in an archaeological dig is the catalyst for this trip. Carol's first day on the dig is Tuesday, and by mid-afternoon, she has found a tooth and a turtle, I hear via text. She's very excited about the whole thing, telling me as she gets dressed that she feels like a kid going off to the first day of school. 

Happy Birthday, Carol! 




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