Run to Rapid City Update

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

Run to Rapid City Update #15

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!

It has taken me much longer than I was expecting as I have spent a large portion of 2021 sick or injured, but I am so close, I could cry.

I really wanted to get there for the Fourth of July as I have always wanted to experience a US July 4th as it seems so much bigger than Canada Day, but alas that just didn’t happen.

To date I have ran 1,940 kilometers and am standing at Crow Creek Road on the outskirts of Belle Fourche, South Dakota.

When looking up Belle Fourche, it appears they are very proud of being the centre of the nation and Google also says that it is very near the georgeaphic centre of the United States when Hawaii and Alaska are included.

Belle Fourche was founded in 1903 and now has an estimated population of just over 5,000 people. It was named by French fur trappers for the beautiful sight of three rivers coming together and was a hot spot for fur trading. Farmers and ranchers took over from the fur traders and the railroad even came through this spot on the map. Seth Bullock is considered the founding parent of this city and turned it into the largest livestock shipping centre in the world. The city still provides support for the wool, cattle and bentonite industries.

Belle Fourche seems to grow athletic people as three athletes hail from this city- Lloyd Eaton, Jason Kubel, and John Strohmayer.

What I have learned mainly this month is that I wish I plotted my route as I did the mileage so I would know how long of a run I needed to get to the next city. Hopefully, barring issues, I will be at Kathy’s for my next update.

Have fun!

AJ

Run to Rapid City Update #14

Well I am getting closer! It’s tough to think that it is going to take me at least fifteen months to do what others do in a matter of a few months, but I have to remember that comparison steals joy so I’m not going to think about that! Instead, I’m going to think of how I’ve run 1,852 kilometers and am super close to seeing Kathy!

I have been working on running to visit Kathy in Rapid City since the start of 2020. This virtual trip has provided a lot of incentive to get out the door for runs. Especially now that I am getting so close to the end!

Last month I was at Suicide Pass Road and I’m glad to be past there. I am currently in Hammond, Montana at the start of the Kaufman Trail.

There may be a campground down this road, so if I needed some rest I could stay there, however, with being only about 200km away, I just want to press on.

There may or may not be some awesome hiking in this area. From where I am standing it just looks like a road, and there seem to be a couple of places called Kaufman Trail- one of which I’m standing at and the other is in Butte, Colorado.

Let’s hope the picture above is from Montana and not Colorado or I’m definitely going the wrong way!🤣🤣🤣

Well I’m off to get some more of that 200km done!

Have fun!

AJ

Run to Rapid City Update #13

I really didn’t think this run would take me over a year, however 2021 has not been a good running year so far. Let’s hope it gets much better!

I have been working on running to visit Kathy in Rapid City since the start of 2020. This virtual trip has provided a lot of incentive to get out the door for runs.

Last month I was at Busby, Montana and now I am standing on the highway where it intersects with Suicide Pass road.

When I googled this road, all I keep getting is a listing of the “Most Dangerous Roads in America”. Woah this does not insight positive vibes. I’m thinking I’ll just keep running!

This is a gap located in Powder River County which has a population of 1,720. I think I’m going to see more wildlife than people as I come through this part of Montana! I did learn that I could sell my condo at home and buy four houses here, but so far I haven’t seen a house to buy🤣

Supposedly there is a great 8km hike from here through Custer National Forest, but I’m really not sure I want to venture anywhere near a place called Suicide Pass.

I should soon get to Broadus which is the county seat and will hopefully be slightly bigger.

Hopefully I get to Kathy soon!

Have fun!

AJ

Run to Rapid City Update #12

I can’t believe it has been a year since I started this journey!

At the start of 2020 I was lost as to what my running goal would be for the year. I had done speed, distance, etc. Then the amazing Kathy suggested that I run to visit her. So off I went to Rapid City. You can tell I don’t run as much as many people out there as it’s a new year and I am still working on this goal of visiting Kathy.

I have hit Busby, Montana. This is a census location located on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. It is only 20 miles to the site of the Battle of Rosebud Creek. The history nerd in me is really curious as to what the National Battle Site park will be like as I have never seen one before. I took a course in university about the US Civil War, but of course, I don’t remember much:(

This is quite the change from my last stop in Billings, Montana as only about 745 people live here. It was named for the Post master , Sheridan Busby when the post office was established here in 1904.

The town is located on Rosebud Creek.

I guess I will rest here and then keep on going as I really do feel as though I’ve seen the whole place. Of course, you could blink and miss it😜

Shopping in Billings

Since I finally get to stop somewhere larger on my trip to see Kathy, I decided to do some shopping.

My first trip had to be the Yarn Bar! This shop is open as long as you wash your hands and have a mask, which thankfully I did. I loved how many project ideas the present.

Yarn is my usual souvenir when I am traveling and I always aim to get something that is local to the area I am in. Montana is obviously the place for mess they had tons of local options! I had to try some Western Sky Knits because I’ve heard so much about it on the Yarniacs podcast. Then I saw the local shawl cuff and knew I had to have that too. They have some local kits, but I think I’ll stick to single skeins. I picked up some Mountain Colours and some Polka Dot Sheep Yarn which is fromWhitefish,Montana. I can’t wait to get busy knitting!

I decided to stop in and see what the local running store, Time Out Sports had too. It was fun to read clearly about what kind of foot strike I have. this store was great for finding some fuel,nutrition and a new outfit:)

I wanted to stop in at a local used bookstore, but there were just too many to choose from, so that will have to wait. Probably better to not carry books anyways

I stopped in at Rae Raes Gluten Free bakery, but I will have to wait until I can ask what is dairy free too.

It’s been fun to be in a big city, but I’d better get back to running (quite literally).

Have fun!

AJ

Run to Rapid City Update #11

I can’t believe another month has gone by!

At the start of 2020 I was lost as to what my running goal would be for the year. I had done speed, distance, etc. Then the amazing Kathy suggested that I run to visit her. So off I went to Rapid City. You can tell I don’t run as much as many people out there as it’s a new year and I am still working on this goal of visiting Kathy.

Unfortunately, January hasn’t been a great month for running because I fell on the first Sunday long run of the year and my body is taking it’s sweet time healing. The only good thing I can say is that I just managed to squeak out 81.22km this month to beat last January’s 77km. With this 81km I have made it to Maier Lane in Billings, Montana.

Billings, Montana is definitely the biggest place I have stopped so far with 109,000 people and is the largest city in Montana. Billings, Montana is located on the Yellowstone River and has been around since 1872. Billings was named after the president of the Northern Pacific Railway, Frederick Billings.

Billings has the nickname Magic City because of its fast growth and it is continuing to grow very quickly to this day.

There are many attractions and events in Billings and one is the Pictograph caves which are just five miles from downtown Billings.

One cool thing is that Billings was covered by an inch of ash from the 1980s eruption of Mt. St. Helens. I remember my mom talking about my dad coming home with ash on him as he was trucking in the area of Mt. St. Helens at the time.

Well, I think I will cool my heels here for a day as there seems to be a lot of new shopping area in Billings. 😀

Have fun!

AJ

Run to Rapid City #10

At the start of this year, I was having trouble getting out the door for runs as I just didn’t have a goal. I had already done a speed goal and a distance goal and I didn’t know what to do now. As a goal person, I don’t work very well without a goal.

Then the lovely Kathy gave me the idea of running virtually to visit her in South Dakota. Well that did the trick!

Last month I had made it to Big Timber, Montana and this month I am just outside Columbus, Montana.

I have not actually reached the town, so I have stopped at a local ranch/farm for a rest.

Columbus Montana looks to be pretty close to the centre of Montana when I look at the map. The estimated population is just over 2,000 people. This town was originally a stagecoach stop called Sheep Dip. I’m sure the people of the town are happy the name changed.

This town was home to a professional poker player named Annie Duke and the birth place of professional football player Dwan Edwards. I always find it amazing all the people who come from tiny, unknown towns.

I think I’m getting close to Billings so hopefully I will make it there in the next month.

Have fun!

AJ

Run to Rapid City #9

At the start of this year, I was having trouble getting out the door for runs as I just didn’t have a goal. I had already done a speed goal and a distance goal and I didn’t know what to do now. As a goal person, I don’t work very well without a goal.

Then the lovely Kathy gave me the idea of running virtually to visit her in South Dakota. Well that did the trick!

Last month I had made it to Whitehall, Montana and now I am in Big Timber, Montana. This is another small town as it only has 1,701 people. The town is named after the Big Timber Creek and has been around since 1880. It started as a wool shipping depot.

I am hoping that I have made stopped here on a day when the Chinook winds raise the temperature. This city has only about 30 days in the year where it doesn’t get above freezing, which is pretty few for Montana. As long as it’s not one of its record breaking cold days at -43 Celsius, I’ll be fine!

Ooo Michael Keaton is from this town! I loved him as Batman!

I am hoping to run more kilometers in December when I don’t have report cards. I’ll get there one day Kathy!

Have fun!

AJ

Run to Rapid City Update #8

I guess the months of 150km are over:(

At the start of this year, I was having trouble getting out the door for runs as I just didn’t have a goal. I had already done a speed goal and a distance goal and I didn’t know what to do now. As a goal person, I don’t work very well without a goal.

Then the lovely Kathy gave me the idea of running virtually to visit her in South Dakota. Well that did the trick!

Last month I had made it to Clinton Montana and this month I have made it a little further down the highway to Whitehall, Montana. I am specifically standing on Uffda Road in Whitehall, Montana.

Whitehall is a town in Jefferson, County and has a population of 1,150. Good thing I like small towns as that seems to be all I am hitting on this journey. Whitehall is in the Deerlodge National Forest and is surrounded by two mountain ranges. It is a convenient town as it is close to three airports,four colleges and five ski resorts. That will make my running buddy really happy as he loves to ski! Maybe I’d better not tell him though as he may abandon me for the skiing.

The town of Whitehall began on September 24, 1889 as a rail depot. The town boasts one elementary, one middle school and one high school- all named Whitehall and all sharing the mascot of the Trojans and school colours of purple and gold. Though I found out the median age was 45 in town, so I guess there are not enough children to support more than one school at each level.

The coolest thing I learned about Whitehall is that Bill Pullman has a ranch near town and lives here part time. I loved him in the movie, While You Were Sleeping!

I have seen a lot of people jaywalking on the Main Street of Whitehall, so I guess I don’t have to worry too much about traffic when I’m running.

Well I had better get moving again so I can get to Kathy’s. I have had a lot of people ask if I will visit them too. If you want me to run to virtually visit you, please let me know and I will add you to my itinerary- just realize, I’m a slow runner so it’s going to take quite a while for me to get places!

Have fun!

AJ