Searching for Peace of Mind Across the Northern USA

Be nice, listen to the locals, and ask questions!

I’m on mountain time and at 3:30 in the morning. I learned that I am now a great uncle!

Congratulations Robert and Leeanne and welcome to Robert Edward Berger the fourth!

Prior to venturing further west, I received some great advice, including going around a major construction project, obtaining routes that are not on the highway to enjoy the scenery, and identifying places to stop along way.

I left Hermosa and, rather than go straight onto the highway, I found myself on the Spearfish Canyon Parkway!I had seen this road a in a number of periodicals and websites. I decided I had enough time and it was well worth it! Not only does the road go through the canyon, but there are a couple of spots where you can see some very nice falls.

I was able to get out and go for a relatively short hike, compared to yesterday, but the hike offered spectacular views of streams and hills!

A couple of people suggested I go up a little further in South Dakota before entering Wyoming to a town called Belle Fourshe, and I am so glad I did. Little did I know that this is the Geo Central location of the United States! They have a nice park and museum there and you really feel like you’re brought back into the old west! The town is the home to a huge rodeo that they call a round up. This is held on the July 4 weekend and offers a huge fireworks display and rodeo where they come from all around the country!I passed the round-up grounds and it is quite impressive.

I’m spending the night in a beautiful Oak Grove Campground all by myself! The campground owner said they used to be very busy even this time of year, but South Dakota has added dozens of campgrounds and all sorts of lodging in recent years so there is a lot of competition. Moving further west tomorrow!

My nephew and great nephew!
More “wildlife” and rolling hills, leaving Hermosa and heading to Spearfish Canyon.
A tunnel carved through a rock hill. 
A creek along Roughlock Falls trail in Spearfish Canyon
Panorama on trails in Canyon
Nice creek going up to Falls
Interesting spire
Bridal Veil Falls
Roughlock Falls
Roughlock Falls
Geo Center of US at Belle Fourche
Belle Fourche downtown… you can envision it as an old western town back in the day
Finally stopped at a brewery called “Hitchin Post!” The name and people made it worth the stop!
My place for the evening!

Tim Bond

10 responses to “Be nice, listen to the locals, and ask questions!”

  1. Hafta say, Tim, South Dakota has been very underrated in my mind — (having never driven past Indiana). Keep up the excellent posts….check’s in the mail!

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  2. Hafta say, Tim, South Dakota has been very underrated in my mind — (having never driven past Indiana). Keep up the excellent posts….check’s in the mail! Rick S – (in case it’s still saying “anonymous”)

    On Thu, May 22, 2025 at 7:59 PM Searching for Peace of Mind Across the

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  6. hi Tim! Grace and I looked you up on a map. What does Geo center mean? You weren’t in the dead center of the US, so it must have another definition. Those waterfalls are gorgeous!

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