At the start of 2020, with no knowledge of what was ahead, I was having a tough time getting out the door for runs. The awesome Kathy said that I could make a goal to run to visit her in South Dakota. Since Kathy always gives good advice and is so amazing at so many things, I was quick to agree!
Well after a year and a half of counting all of my running mileage, but no walking or biking, I have made it to Rapid City with 12 kilometers to spare.
Rapid City is in western South Dakota and is best known as being the gateway to Mount Rushmore. The cool thing is that the presidential theme has been continued through 43 life size statues of presidents on the street corners in the downtown core. The city was founded in 1876 by gold seekers who hadn’t found any treasure in the Black Hills Mountains.
This city that started with a six block downtown core has now grown to be the second largest city in South Dakota with just over 70,000 residents. That is much bigger than I was expecting! That may be due to the fact it is the banana belt of South Dakota and receives less snow and more sun than the rest of the state.
Dinosaur Park which is composed of 7 pipe, mesh and concrete dinosaur sculptures is definitely something I will be checking out while I am here. I will also be availing myself of some shopping as Mitzi’s Books intrigued me.
Of course the best thing about Rapid City is that Kathy lives here!! I would love to visit Kathy in real life one day, but for now I will have to settle for a virtual visit. Thank you Kathy for providing such an awesome goal for my running for the past year and a half- it has definitely kept me going.
Hmm now I just need to figure out the next goal!
Have fun!
AJ
A Petite Slice of Life 
You are virtually in the United States now, so please pick one of us to visit next. Since our country is so large, count biking and walking miles.
I would have to count every step I take during the day🤣
Is that too much trouble to count all your steps?
My watch actually does it automatically. I’ll have to think about this
Yay 🙌 well done 😃
Thank you
I loved visiting Dinosaur Park when I was a kid. I’m next door in Urbandale, Iowa. You should run over to see me next.
Ok I tried to find a way to email you on your site and couldn’t- talk about a completely untechy person. Could you somehow let me know your address as I would love to virtually visit another knitter. I’ve always loved your knitting group posts so maybe I’ll get there in time to participate in one:)
Oh my gosh, I just saw this. I’ll try to find you to send an email.
Great as I’m on my way to your place from Kathy’s:)
Hurrah, you made it! Too bad we couldn’t have breakfast together!
Congratulations! Sounds like a fun place for even a virtual visit 🙂
Thank you! There is sure a lot more there than I was expecting!
You made it!!! Say hi to Kathy. Now you have to find your way back home. lol
No I think I’ll carry on to visit mildly granola
How fun!!!