Only in South Dakota

I guess not only in South Dakota, but not unexpected. Yes, the Prepper Show is coming to Rapid City! It is no surprise that South Dakota has more than its share of preppers. In fact, we have one of the few prepper communities in the country just a few miles south of us in Edgemont. Scratch that, I just did some research, it is not one of the few prepper communities in the country, it is THE largest prepper community on the Earth! An 18-square mile former military base, this community consists of 575 bunker homes that can house 5,000 residents.  

If you are interested, or just mildly curious here is a link to one for sale. It can be yours for a mere $100,000! But you cannot just buy it and you are in, you have to be interviewed and approved before you can buy it. They boast having doctors, trades people, farmers, you name it. A diverse community should the zombie apocalypse come to our area. 

I have several friends who lean a little on the "preppy" side; all good people, just a little more cautious than others with stores of food, water, fuel and yes, ammo should the world go to pot. No, I will not be going to the show, I am content with our stores. Maybe one of our friends will take us in as we have some skills that would by useful should the world come to an end. Well, Barb does, maybe they will take me out of pity. 

What other oddities do we have in South Dakota? Did you know that South Dakota is basically two states? Even us SD residents refer to it in such a manner that one geographical feature is basically a border within the state. Hang around here long enough and you will hear someone refer to someone as either a west-riverer or east-riverer. Meaning, what side of THE river do you live on. THE river is the Missouri river which basically cuts the state in half. You will also hear people refer to east-river residents as "flat-landers" as well, as the terrain east of the Missouri is basically flat, which west-river is more rugged. 

Other oddities? Of course, there are the tourist attractions, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park, the Sturgis Rally, but those are not really oddities. Well, maybe the rally is. Oh wait! How about a 140-acre polygamous compound a mere 5 miles from us! Originally founded and built by Jeff Warrens in 2005. Jeff reportedly had 24 wives. Hell, I cannot handle one, who would anyone want 24?!?!? While Jeff is now in prison, the compound is going on live and well. They pretty much just keep to themselves and do not bother anyone. 

Another oddity about our area is that a large percentage of residences do not have water, us included. We have a 2,200-gallon cistern buried in the ground that pumps water into our house. We have to have our water delivered or get it ourselves. While we used to have it delivered, for the past year we have just been getting it ourselves with our 450-gallon tank at the water station in Custer when we go into town. 

That is all the oddities I can think of at the moment. Wait one more, I caught this oddity on one of my trail cameras! Neighbor Jim is about as scary as they get. 

I have a camera on one of his water tanks. Here are a few more captures from each of our tanks.... We are in a severe drought in our area and water is vital to the survival of everything around. It is amazing how many critters we capture using these water tanks not to mention the countless bees and other insects that do not trigger the camera. 

Dove

Jays

Squirrel

Robin

Whitetails

Mule Deer

And of course, the ever-present turkeys

Work on the garage continues. Kevin came over one day to design and show us how to make some wood features for the front. We have them all cut out, Barb has sanded and stained them, now we just have to get them up. Barb insulated and wired her shop; we got two windows and doors installed and I have been working on some metal trim and completing the north side of the building. We have not been hitting it too hard, so progress has been slow. 

Barb has also been out in the forest playing lumberjack jill. She sent me this picture the other day. The biggest tree she has cut down with her mighty DeWalt battery operated chainsaw. 

This coming week will prove to be equally has busy as we have a lot to do before the Big Event! Barb's list of things to get done is competing with mine. Next Saturday will be here before either list is completed, so we are prioritizing. Just 8 days left!