Where do you Come From?

"Worst gift ever", those were the words a friend told us when speaking about the gift of a DNA testing kit his father-in-law had received a couple of years ago. The ensuing scandal is still talked about years later. I know of several such incidents where people have taken DNA tests only to find out things were not quite as they seemed. 

Even so, Barb and I were curious to see what our ancestry was. No, we did not take the test, but traced our ancestry back on paper.  We used the free FamilySeach. The results confirmed what we thought we knew in some areas and surprised us in others. 

Here is a brief summary. 

On my dad's side, the records only go back to my great-great grandparents, my dad's dad's immigrated from Sweden, my dad's mom's side from Norway.

On my mom's side it gets more interesting. My mom's mom's goes back as far as 1460 to Appelhülsen, Kreis Münster, Westphalia, Prussia, Germany.  That side was almost all German, but one branch went back to Ireland and Austria. We were surprised when one of my nieces did a DNA test recently that showed we were 20 something percent Irish. And all these year's I skipped St.Patty's day. I have a lot of making up to do!

Barb knew little of her lineage and was surprised to find her dad's side almost exclusively Scottish. Her 8th great grandmother on her dad's side was born in Somerset, Pennsylvania in 1685 and lived 86 years Think about what she saw in her lifetime!

One branch on her dad's side goes back to 0300 and includes a number of Counts, Ladies, Lords, Countesses, Sirs, kings and queens. (King Eystein of Heidemark is one). I do not know how anyone could ever even start to trace lineage back that far. 

Here is a little peek at what we found on Barb's side. 

Do you see any resemblance? Barb now insists I treat her like royalty. I am beginning to think it was a bad idea to research this. 

Her mom's side was boring by comparison with that branch coming from Austria. 

Very interesting. But that is a rabbit hole that could suck you down for hours, days, even years researching individuals. Ain't nobody got time for that!

The rest of our week consisted of us getting the camper ready for our next big adventure. Even though we will not be here for Christmas, Barb decorated the house, so we at least get a little taste of the holidays. And bonus, we got a Christmas card! This is likely the only one we will get. One or two might even recognize this scene. 

We have the feeders full and a new bale out for the critters. The new tractor and bale fork worked like a champ!

On the hiking front, we not only conquered one peak, or two, we conquered three! None of them were very strenuous as you could drive to within 10-30 minutes of each of the summits. 

Each of them is on Forest Service Roads that are snow-covered and not traveled too much this time of year. With beefy tires and a winch, we felt confident that we would not get stuck. As we were coming around one corner, we saw several sharptail grouse on the road. I grabbed the camera quick hoping to get a picture or two. They took off just as I was focusing on them. Like a blind squirrel, I accidently got a couple of good shots through the windshield!

Some of the summits offer great views, some of the summits are in tree covered areas. Some of them have markers, others have a stack of rocks, others have nothing at all. 

Here are our pictures from each of the summits. 

ODakota Peak, the 3rd highest peak in the hills              Green Mountain, the 5th highest at 7,164'

Copper Mountain, the 15th highest at 6,920'

I thought this week I would take you with us (if you want to go) with this video.

Neighbor Jim got a really nice buck with his bow Monday night. We spent part of that night processing it and finished the rest on Wednesday morning in the comfort of our workshop. I then drained all the waterlines, put antifreeze in the traps and got it all ready for winter.  

Wednesday night we headed over to Dan and Bonnie's for a quick happy hour before we headed to Hill City for one last hurrah with the gang. Kevin met us over there after work. Unfortunately, Cheryl's brother passed away this week, so she was back in Minnesota taking care of things. 

We all jumped in the jeep; I don't think Kevin was complaining too much about the tight accommodations. 

The food at The Alpine Inn never disappoints, and they were decorated to the 9's for Christmas.

Barb and Kevin

The following night it was off to Hot Springs with neighbors Jim and Carmen to try out the new Jalapenos restaurant. Barb and Carmen each had a margarita flight. We would recommend both the flights and the food. 

Friday night, it was off to Kevin's for a pheasant supper. One last get together before we head off. 

We have a herd of mule deer pass through Thursday morning. What used to be so plentiful, now are an uncommon sighting. They were obviously looking for water. The snow all melted yesterday, and it got cold last night. Meaning all the ponds and puddles were frozen, and with no snow on the ground, there is nothing for the deer to drink. They stopped by the water tank for a few minutes, came up by the house and nosed around before heading west looking for something to drink. It is supposed to get up to 55 later today, so I know they will find some eventually. 

The next two days will be spent getting ready. The camper is on, we are pretty much packed. Barb, the ultra-organizer has lists going on what needs to happen before we leave. I looked at her list for the first time the other day. The first thing on her list? "Make List" Seriously? And it was not crossed off? How can one write "make list" on a list and not cross it off? I was later informed that this list was not the list, so it does not count. Upon hearing that, I slowly walked over to the liquor cabinet, poured myself a strong one and sat down to contemplate what my brain just heard. 

I gotta go, her highness just rang her bell and if I do not come a running when she rings, she will probably have me beheaded!