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.