le jardin.

Devil's Gulch.

it's a lovely drive between here and sioux falls, south dakota. the buffalo ridge, the prairie, the windmills, the huge fields full of ripening corn, beans, and wheat. and there's a mysterious little brown sign along that road that says "Devil's Gulch."

i have for quite some while wondered what this Devil's Gulch might be. is it just a "historical marker" next to the road? is it a state park? is it something exciting?? today was the day to find out.

happening upon the sign on the way home, i gave into fancy and headed off towards the spot. a nice little drive down a couple dirt roads led me to a parking lot with a few signs and a small cabin, and a path headed downhill. soon i was on a bridge looking straight down a gulch [like a small ravine], and could hear a waterfall off in the distance.

so i headed down the stony path, around trees and over boulders, and came around so i could see the waterfall in the distance. another path led me back to the road and right to the waterfall itself. after exploring a bit, i headed back to the car.

then i read the sign. it turns out Devil's Gulch is indeed a famous spot, for in 1876, when he was on the run from the authorities, Jesse James leapt the 15-foot ravine on horseback and evaded capture!

photo credit: Wikipedia

such a feat, thought i, is not easily repeated. 

so i enjoyed a trip-trap through the woods in flip flops and a skirt, and headed back down the road, 

Frappuccino in hand.

never fear..

i'm still alive! i realized i've only updated twice since i've been home. needless to say, it's been busy, but it's been a great time so far. our family has spent a lot of time together, doing this and that, and it's been very nice. i am also working at the restaurant [along with all three of my brothers and my dad, and sometimes my sister-in-law too!], which is the same old place as always. it's such a blessing to have a guaranteed job when i come home! i can't complain.

this weekend i'm leading worship at a Children's Ministry Conference at CC Sioux Falls, South Dakota. i'm really looking forward to it. i've been to the conference several times, but never led worship while there. i feel quite honored to have been asked to come.

right after that, it's back home and off to a wedding, and the next day maybe to the cities for the continuation of a soccer tournament.

my nephews continue to grow far too big, far too fast- but they are the sweetest little boys. every day is a new adventure with bryce, as he continues to quickly grow from toddler to child, and every day i get the same sweet smile and chuckle from brennan.

there's not a whole lot else going on. i have a very interesting-looking geranium plant in my bedroom, which probably would appreciate to be outdoors. nevertheless, it has remained alive thus far - about 3 whole weeks!

here's a few pictures from our trip up north over the 4th. [yep, i'm still a poet.]

good night, world.