So I stayed for the buffalo round-up. I am sure you all have been on the edge of your seats wondering if it was everything I hoped it to be and more. Or maybe you're wondering if there was going to be a love connection with me and my camping neighbor Dan, did he pull a Kevin Costner and lasso me into his arms? Despite the fact he kind of looked like him I am sorry to disappoint you all. Dan and I decided to take one car to the round-up since it was a long drive so I hopped in his car and took the drive over together. As we were forewarned there was a long-ass line to get into the grounds, almost as bad as a Bonnaroo/Firefly type situation and it was still 7:00am. Once we parked and walked over to the "viewing" area we saw a bunch of people sitting on their camping chairs. After some time had passed we got to talking to other people around us getting the scoop of what this was all about and it seemed that everyone had a different story and for the most part it was everyone's "first time" at the round-up. There was one man who talked pretty much everyone within ear shot's ear off about the round-up because he had been there before and was some kind of expert on the subject. Dan and I didn't bring camping chairs so we were standing the whole time which was fine but by about 9:30am or so we were like, "When the hell is something going to happen? These buffalo haven't moved!" Finally at around 10:15am or so after standing around waiting for about 3 hours the cowboys had the buffalo come down the hill and corral into the fenced in area. Now keep in mind everyone these are wild buffalo. 1,300 of them! It was a pretty incredible experience to watch the cowboys heard them all into the corral. The purpose of this corral is to brand the calves, vaccinate them, check for pregnancy, and various other things. I think Dan and I gathered that there was a reason why it was most people's first time at the round-up. A cool experience but not something you would come back to year after year, unless you were a die hard cowboy. Afterwards we walked along the corral and took photos and had a traditional country BBQ of baked beans and pulled pork with a can of Budweiser. (Sorry Max fam, trust me the diet/exercise has been the hardest part of the this trip). Once the corral was over Dan and I said our goodbyes and I headed into town to get some much needed wi-fi. I needed to plan where I was heading tomorrow. I don't know what the deal was with Dan he was super sweet but it seemed like he was holding something back, like oh by the way I have a girlfriend back in Minnesota. Then why was he there alone? Wasn't I holding back too? It's not like I explained myself to him in anyway. It's hard for me to know who to tell my story to. It's different then saying to people oh yeah I was married now I am divorced, it's a hard pill to swallow, for me, let alone total strangers, potential dates, co-workers, etc. I hope I can get more comfortable talking about it but I don't know that I ever will. I went out with one person since Chris died. I told him what happened on our second date. That relationship clearly didn't work out but he also didn't run away when I told him either. He said it was part of who I was and anyone who didn't get that wasn't the right person. I wish I would have enough confidence to believe those words daily.
As for my next destination, I was planning to head to Glacier NP next but after speaking with some of the lodges in the area, the closest one that is open is 45 minutes away from the park which is a 12 hour drive from here! There is only one campground open and they warned me the park itself is a dead zone, barely any visitors. The road to the sun (the biggest tourist attraction) is already closed due to mud slides. I mean even here in SD the campground I am staying at tonight closes for the season tomorrow and it's 75 degrees and sunny here today, but it did drop to about 50 last night. I don't know if I should stick to my original plan or change course?? Stay tuned. Now I will head over to the light ceremony at Mt. Rushmore since I didn't make it last night and I am still here and everything 😉
Song of the day "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" John Denver. John Denver is a bad ass country boy. And that's how I feel about these men in South Dakota, bad ass. Dan and I tried to come up with a song about buffalo and "Home on the Range" came to mind but that song kind of sucks. I am not a huge country music fan but I can get down with some John Denver and I felt it only appropriate after spending the day doing some of the most country, cowboy things I have ever seen.
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