Snipping thin magazine papers, rearranging them on the small pages, lettering a word to describe the mosaic of thought—I would have been content just to sip coffee, gaze out past the porch to Thrall Mountain and make art to celebrate my birthday. That was the backup plan in case our self-designed Black Hills food and drink tour was thwarted by the weather.
Birthdays can mean all sorts of things, but, if you aren’t intentional, then there goes another opportunity to reflect on life—another year passes by uncelebrated.
To celebrate my birthday for the past two years my parents, husband and I have enjoyed morning drives in Custer State Park searching from the elusive elk, local theatre productions and evenings at some of Rapid City’s steakhouses. It was difficult for me to think of a birthday activity for this year because we’d either already done them all or I felt like whatever I came up with it was something we would normally do on a weekend trip to visit my parents. A hot air balloon ride through the Hills is certainly still on my list, but that isn’t really a February activity.
When the last thought went through my mind it caused me to step back and really evaluate where thirty four years has brought me. Three things came to mind:
- I’ve achieved a life where it is possible for me to simply decide to go on a hot air balloon ride or to visit the dining establishment of my choice. That reality isn’t because I have a six-figure income or because I’ve won the lottery. No, it is because I live with intentionality—spending money on things that truly bring me joy and saving it in places where others would balk. I don’t need a fancy car, constant new clothes, or a monthly visit to the nail salon. I’m proud of the fact that I can discern the items and activities that will bring the most meaning into my life and that I can make those purchases without a credit card when the decision is made.
- I enjoy putting thought into the way I spend time with friends and family. First Lady and social activist Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” I realized the truth in this statement yet again on our recent Christmas cruise to Mexico when my favorite part of the day was sitting around the dinner table discussing ideas–from the history of the Mayan people to the flavors on our plates. To celebrate my birthday I wanted an experience that gave us reason to discuss fun concepts and new experiences.
- I’ve recently felt like my level of motivation for completing certain projects (or chores) has been minimal, but working on my Brooklyn Art Museum Sketchbook has invigorated my creativity, and thus I’ve also realized that part of my lack of motivation might be caused by my wealth of contentment. Sure, I’ll complain about a variety of things in my life, but at the end of the day, I have a lot for which to be thankful.
So… where were our stops and how was the day?
Inspired by our recent food tour with Cozumel Chef during our Mexican Christmas cruise, we carefully focused on locally-run establishments that we hadn’t visited (even though a few favorites snuck in.)
The morning began with some snow, which extended our initial drive to about an hour, but we were just in time for our breakfast reservations at Skogen Kitchen in Custer. Skogen means “The Forest” in Norwegian, and the “hygee” (find a book about it; you’ll fall in love) feel was prominent with the quaint, but sleek atmosphere, complete with blankets on the backs of the chairs. Our favorite dishes were the Avocado Toast, Rice Pudding and Japanese French Toast. Avocados have become a family joke ever since my mom denied liking them when asked a few years back fearing that she might have to eat a whole one, so trying the avocado toast was a no brainer. Making my own the next chance I get will also not require second thought—it was the generous garnish of fresh lime that truly won me over. There is simply something magical to be said for that moment when you surrender your taste buds to a chef’s creation only to discover a familiar flavor you weren’t expecting. This is the thing about Skogen’s food—the menu says what flavors thoughtfully make each dish, but, by the time you’re bringing the first bite to your lips, you’ve forgotten. You can’t see the lime juice in which they’ve carefully tossed the sprouts, but once you’ve tasted the combination, you know it’s what makes the dish. Skogen’s flavors are each present with a purpose and none goes unnoticed. Sitting in this tiny shop, filled with stained glass filtered light and people sharing something special, made me wonder how magical each day would be if I could start it this way—being fueled by someone else’s creativity and care.
On our way back north, we stopped at the Perky Pine coffee shop, which had a ski lodge feel as we stomped the snow off our boots.
Hill City is one of my favorite SD mountain towns. Flanked by a taxidermy adorned gas station and a sawmill, it isn’t trying to be something it’s not. A drive through is never complete without a wine tasting detour at Prairie Berry Winery. Is 10:30 too early for alcohol? Nope! Not when you’re sampling raspberry cheese pairing and discussing the fact that tourists never get to see the fireplace in full action. Our wine club memberships include a specially selected four pack every few months, but we still have to wait a few weeks for the next one to be available. Still, we were able to try the new Grüener Veltliner 2018. Prairie Berry is best known for their sweet and fruit, Red Ass Rhubarb wine, but the winemaker also creates traditional varieties in her Anna Pesä collection, named after her great grandmother who started making wine in South Dakota from the berries her children collected from the prairie with the skills she brought with her from Czechoslovakia. The Grüener Veltliner grape actually grows in Anna Pesä’s hometown and has a dry yet bright flavor similar to a sauvignon blanc. Needless to say, a whole bottle won’t sit on our wine rack for long.
Right next door to Prairie Berry is the Miner Brewing Company, where we shared a self-selected beer flight. It had been awhile since we’d stopped, and we enjoyed the renovations since our last visit. The room where we sat felt like a melding of industrial rustic with upscale glam. There was something “Snow White” about the space. We’ve enjoyed seeing Miner’s beers grow in flavor and complexity, but our charts were topped during this tasting with the root beer. I think we talked about it for the rest of the day.
From Miner we ventured north for an hour to reach the Hills’ most notable mining town—Lead. Situated directly across from the Homestake Mine, Lotus Up Espresso and Deli is clearly a favorite among those skiing at nearby Terry Peak. The view from the eating area gave us a chance to relax and contemplate the sheer force and willpower it took for some of South Dakota’s earliest settlers to make a living in this rustic landscape. We appreciated Lotus Up’s unconventional panini flavor combinations.
The plan had been to stay in Lead and finally visit Dakota Shivers Brewing, but the snow started to pick up, so we decided to make our way through Deadwood and on to Spearfish.
Spearfish has a spectacularly welcoming downtown area, and we were excited to visit the Spearfish Brewing Company for the first time. Kevin and I sampled some of their beers at a tap takeover in Pierre this fall, and I knew I had to have the Bobcat Logic sour again. Our friend Austin introduced me to the world of sours, and now I try them whenever the chance arises. The flavor is as the name implies and as long as the tart deliciousness isn’t vinegary, you’re in for a crisp treat. As we sat at our high top by the garage door style windows also sipping a variety of coffee infused beers—maybe my newest style to seek out—it was fun to watch people come in all bundled up and then shed layers to enjoy a lazy Saturday afternoon with friends.
Across the street at 722½ Main St., we stopped by Leones’ Creamery. The charm of their address is reflected inside with the penny-topped counter and London-pub feel. A sister (+a husband) owned business, the team is passionate about their community and their ice creams. I’m not one for making just one selection, so when it comes to ice cream I always ask if I can have two favors in a single scoop size (since I know I don’t need a double!) Coconut sticky rice cake was a clear choice for my first flavor, but I was torn between chocolate tart cherry and raspberry white chocolate for my second. I went with the latter and wasn’t disappointed.
Needing a bit of a stroll before piling back in the car, we walked down a few blocks to an antique mall to do some browsing (not buying.)
By this point, the backseat contingent—my mom and I—were ready for nap, so I asked if everyone was still up for our remaining three stops. The answer was a resounding “yes!” They’d committed to my unique birthday experience, and they weren’t going to let me cut it short.
So we cranked up the George Ezra-inspired playlist for the 45 minute drive to Rapid City. I first looked him up after cycling to “Shotgun” twice in my Wednesday morning spinning classes. For me there is music that compliments your mood and music that inspires your mood. Ezra’s music takes hold of me like a puppeteer—I can’t help but move and smile.
Kevin used to live in Rapid, so we’ve visited most of its restaurants. A few have popped up since his move to Pierre and some just eluded us. Our first destination when we pulled into town was Privé at the Rushmore Hotel. Going to a bar isn’t something I’ve done very often with my parents, but before a few years ago going wine and beer tasting wasn’t either, and now they’re wine club members! Privé (we’re still not sure how to pronounce it) isn’t the kind of space that comes to mind when you hear the word bar. It’s open, bright and—this might sound odd to say—it feels like a productive kind of place. Maybe that’s because I felt like I could easily sit at the large wood table to write or make art. Instead, we made conversation. Throughout the day we laughed and discussed the flavors we shared and the spaces we explored. There was talk of jobs and goals, summer plans and future Black Hills days. My mom ordered a “dirty girl scout martini,” and I sipped my sour limoncello in awe of the ways we allow ourselves permission to do what brings us joy.
The blistering cold and snowy sidewalks didn’t prevent my mom and me from walking to the Wine Cellar restaurant two blocks away. We’d thought about making reservations, but we weren’t sure what our itinerary would allow, so we decided to chance it. The man who greeted us at the door looked around the empty restaurant with trepidation when we said we had a party of four. It was only after we were seated and noticed the “reserved” cards on the tables around us that we understood his difficulty in seating us in a vacant dining room. Others slowly filed in after we ordered our selection of tapas to share. We should have ordered doubles of the bacon and brussels sprouts, and I found myself spreading the goat cheese and caramelized onion butter on the crust of my pizza when our plate of bread went bare. One of my favorite things to do is to recreate dishes I enjoy at restaurants, and when we go back to the Wine cellar the list will only grow. [Little did I know, my mom had prepared a Cozumel-inspired dinner for Sunday evening.]
The second to last stop before home was arguably the one with the most character and the least likely for Rich and Sherry to visit on their own. In the basement of Murphy’s Pub (one of our favorite eateries) is the Blind Lion Speakeasy. True to its name, you must make a reservation to receive a door code and password. Entering through an unmarked door, we made our way through the basement maze to find the secret establishment. Kevin’s drink was smoked at our table with locally purchased tobacco, I kept up my flight of sour drinks and my parents enjoyed spiked coffees. Over New York cheesecake and fresh carrot cake and under exposed, rough-hewn beams, we marveled at the atmosphere and the ways we challenged ourselves throughout the day to do something new with our enjoyment of food and drinks.
Twelve hours in total, stopping the trip odometer at 143 miles, this kind of adventure might not be for everyone, but then again, neither may be ephemera paper art projects (blog post on those in the making) or taking time to slow down and make an annual vow to yourself to make decisions that not only bring joy in the current moment, but also the possibility that you’ll be able to return to those decisions time and time again as the standard for future options. In most cases, the best choice offers surprise, delight, good company and plenty of lime.
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