Laddie – The (Mostly) True Adventures of Lupe

Remembering Cousin Laddie

2-16-23, 8:00 AM, home – The phone rang. Lupe’s Aunt Andrea! SPHP picked up. Right away, SPHP knew something terrible had happened. Andrea was trying hard not to cry.

The news was every bit as awful as unexpected.

Only 3 days ago, Uncle Joe, Aunt Andrea, and Cousin Laddie had left Hotel Lupe to return home to Colorado after a fun weekend in the Black Hills. Lupe and SPHP had enjoyed a couple of prairie adventures along Centennial Trail No. 89 between Fort Meade and Bear Butte Lake with Joe and Laddie during their brief stay.

And now, on this bright, sunny morning in mid-February, Cousin Laddie was no more.

The trip back home to Colorado and life as usual had been uneventful. Everyone was fine. However, in the middle of the night last night, Joe and Andrea woke to the odd sound of scratching on the carpet. Laddie normally slept on a fancy memory foam dog bed they’d bought for him. Laddie loved his special comfy bed, but when Joe and Andrea got up to investigate, he wasn’t on it.

Instead, Laddie was on the carpet in the midst of a horrible seizure. Joe and Andrea rushed him to the emergency vet right away, but other than a shot that put an end to the convulsions, there was nothing to be done. The brain damage was too severe.

I’ll never see Cousin Laddie again, SPHP? How can that be? I just met him less than a year and a half ago. He’s still my practically brand new cousin!

Laddie was new to us, Loop, but he wasn’t young. When Uncle Joe and Aunt Andrea adopted him in September, 2021 no one really knew how old he was. Even the vet had a hard time saying, because nearly all his teeth had been pulled at the animal shelter since they were rotten.

Oh, that’s right! You used to call him Cousin Snaggle Fang, SPHP, because he only had that one upper left canine. All his other front teeth were gone.

That’s right, Looper! Anyway, the vet thought Cousin Laddie was at least 10 years old, but couldn’t say much more than that with any certainty.

Why did Laddie have a seizure, SPHP? I always thought that he was fine. Laddie didn’t act old!

I know it, Loop! Laddie wasn’t weak or decrepit. That’s part of why this awful news comes as such a shock, but Laddie had a hard life until he found a loving home with Aunt Andrea and Uncle Joe. Exactly what all happened to him, no one knows any more. What is known is that Laddie survived testicular cancer, was nearly killed by other dogs owned by his former foster family shortly before Joe and Andrea got him, and was kind of afraid of men.

Laddie wasn’t afraid of Uncle Joe, SPHP! When we went on adventures, Laddie almost always wanted to stay close to Uncle Joe.

Oh, Laddie was a little skittish at first, even with Uncle Joe, but he got over it! Laddie quickly learned he could trust Uncle Joe completely.

Well, this news is just the worst, SPHP! Now I don’t have any cousins left at all. Remember when Cousin Dusty died last fall how you put some of our memories of being together on my blog to have something beautiful to remember her by? Would you mind doing that for Cousin Laddie, too?

Absolutely, Loopster! Even though our glory days with Cousin Laddie were short compared to the many years we knew Cousin Dusty, I’ll see what I can do.

Cousin Laddie

Cousin Laddie’s early life is a mystery lost in time, but it’s known that he’d suffered through some very hard experiences shortly before his luck changed late in life when Aunt Andrea and Uncle Joe adopted him in September, 2021.

Cousin Laddie’s name used to be Danny Boy, but Aunt Andrea liked the name Laddie, which was the name of a dog that lived long ago across the alley from her Grandmother’s house in North Dakota back when Andrea was a young girl. Even though Danny Boy was a Sheltie with beautiful luxuriant fur, and looked nothing like the original Laddie of Andrea’s youth, he began the last, and happiest, chapter of his life as the new Laddie. Uncle Joe, on the other paw, would have named him Banjo.

At the time Laddie joined the family, Lupe’s Cousin Dusty was still alive, so Laddie got to be friends with Dusty while living in the same house in Arvada, Colorado that backed up on the 100 acre field where they often took walks together along Ralston Creek.

Lupe met her new Cousin Laddie in late October, 2021. Laddie’s very first adventure with Lupe was Black Hills Expedition No. 281, going N on Centennial Trail No. 89 from Alkali Creek to a ridge S of Fort Meade. This part of the trail along the E edge of the Black Hills near Sturgis was one of Uncle Joe and Dusty’s favorite hikes. Uncle Joe always called it the Ponderosa Hike.

**Uncle Joe** with **Dusty**, **Lupe** and **Laddie** on the **Ponderosa Hike**. **Bear Butte** (R) in the distance. 10-29-21

Laddie had a fabulous time! He climbed Peak 4027, his first Black Hills peak, saw Bear Butte (4,422 ft.), and got treated to part of his very first chocolate coconut bar shared with Loopster and Dusty. It was also on Expedition No. 281 that SPHP first discovered Laddie’s talent for almost always managing to face away from the camera, a skill he never lost, at least not when SPHP was around.

**Bear Butte** (Center) from **Peak 4027**. 10-29-21.

On the **ridge S of Fort Meade**. 10-29-21

**Fort Meade** (L) and **Bear Butte** (R) from the N end of the **Ponderosa Hike**. 10-29-21

Relaxing together in the shade at the N end of the **Ponderosa Hike**. 10-29-21

**Laddie** taking it easy on his first ever Black Hills of South Dakota expedition.

On Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 282 the very next day, Laddie made it to Peak 5261 after starting out from Centennial Trail No. 89’s Elk Creek trailhead. The Ponderosa Hike had been warm and sunny, with a high in the mid 70’s ºF, but this was a very different experience. Suddenly it felt like late fall, or even early winter. Arriving at the summit in a cold fog, Laddie didn’t get to see any of the views Lupe had hoped to show him. There was even some snow around!

Joe, Lupe, and Laddie in the fog on **Peak 5261**.

Laddie’s second visit to Hotel Lupe didn’t take place for nearly another 6 months. Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 301 started out with a wintry jaunt around scenic Sylvan Lake.

Laddie, Joe, and Dusty at **Sylvan Lake**. 4-16-22

Joe, Laddie, and Lupe below the **Sylvan Lake dam**. 4-16-22

As the day warmed up a bit, the trip around Sylvan Lake was extended with a short loop along part of Little Devils Tower Trail No. 4.

Expedition No. 301 ended with a buffalo hunt in Custer State Park! No one knew if this was the first time Laddie had ever seen a buffalo, or not, but he saw a whole herd of them today! When Lupe began barking at them from the RAV4, Laddie got into the spirit of it, too.

Dusty, Laddie, and Joe on the buffalo hunt. 4-16-22

*They’re over here, Laddie! Come and see!*

Two days later, Laddie enjoyed an easy road hike in the central Black Hills to Gimlet Pond on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 302. Cousin Dusty would be 16 in June, and this turned out to be the last time all 3 cousins would be together.

The 3 cousins heading up the **Gimlet Creek valley**. 4-18-22

Laddie and Dusty in **Gimlet Creek**. 4-18-22

Dusty wading in **Gimlet Pond** on her last Black Hills, SD Expedition. 4-18-22

Dusty, Laddie, and Joe relaxing on the hill overlooking **Gimlet Pond**. 4-18-22

Time marches on. By the time Laddie made his 3rd visit to the Black Hills in late September, 2022, Cousin Dusty had died suddenly only a week before. Just Lupe and Laddie, now.

During this stay at Hotel Lupe, chef SPHP learned how much Laddie liked sloppy joes, and especially SPHP’s “Sheltie delight” spaghetti. Spoiling Laddie was fun, and Lupe had no objections, since she reaped the same benefits. Every evening, dark, beady, little Sheltie eyes stared up at SPHP inquiring when the next delicacy would be served.

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 305 lumped several hikes together. Laddie received some Black Hills adventure training, starting out with rock climbing experience gained at Boulder Hill (5,331 ft.).

Laddie practicing some light scrambling on the way up **Boulder Hill**. 9-22-22

Joe and Laddie on **Boulder Hill**, Laddie’s 3rd Black Hills summit. 9-22-22

**Cousin Fuzzy Caterpillar** looking the wrong way, as usual, up on **Boulder Hill**. Laddie’s fur was growing out after having been shaved for the summer. His coloration was a lot like Lupe’s! 9-22-22

After Boulder Hill, Laddie explored a segment of Flume Trail No. 50. The next day, he visited Legion Lake, and returned to Centennial Trail No. 89, venturing S from the Badger Hole trailhead. This was followed by a trip to Mount Coolidge (6,023 ft.), technically Laddie’s 4th Black Hills summit, but he didn’t even get out of the RAV4 due to high winds.

It still counts, SPHP! Laddie was there, and even if you say he should have gotten out of the RAV4, I did get out as his personal representative!

Good to see you sticking up for your cousin, Loop.

Crossing the **Legion Lake dam**. 9-23-22

Back on **Centennial Trail No. 89**. This time **S of Badger Hole**. 9-23-22

Break time on a little hill before turning back. 9-23-22

Heading back to Badger Hole along **Centennial Trail No. 89**. Laddie looking toward **Mount Coolidge** (R of Center). 9-23-22

Joe and Laddie’s personal representative on **Mount Coolidge**.

This third visit to the Black Hills included free water crossing training along Iron Creek Trail No. 15 going upstream from Lakota Lake. Laddie forded Iron Creek several times before easily mastering plank bridge technology, allowing him to stay dry thereafter.

Mastering the art of crossing plank bridges over **Iron Creek**. 9-24-22

A quick stop at Iron Mountain (5,446 ft.), another drive-up, counted as the 5th Black Hills summit Laddie visited.

Together on **Iron Mountain**, Laddie’s last Black Hills summit, 9-24-22

And, of course, Lupe and SPHP had been thrilled to welcome Laddie, Joe, and Andrea to Hotel Lupe on February 10, 2023 for their most recent long weekend stay.

Sadly, this 4th visit proved to be Cousin Laddie’s final trip to the Black Hills. Perhaps it was fitting that his last adventures here with Lupe were on Centennial Trail No. 89, where he got to spend both Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 312 and Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 313 exploring the entire segment N of the Ponderosa Hike between Fort Meade and Bear Butte Lake.

With **Laddie** on the **ridge N of Fort Meade**. **Bear Butte** in the distance. 2-11-23

**Cousin Laddie** near trail’s end on his next to last Black Hills Expedition. 2-11-23

Lupe, Joe, and Laddie near **Bear Butte Lake** on Laddie’s last adventure. 2-12-23

Although she’d been there before back in the days when Cousin Dusty was alive, Lupe never got to visit Laddie at his home in Arvada, Colorado where he spent most of his happy days. In Colorado, Laddie was loved and cared for by all the members of his new extended family.

Out for a walk in Colorado with **Ryan,** **Joe**, and **Dusty**.

**Laddie** on another scenic walk with **Andrea**, **Mark**, and **Dusty**.

With Joe along **Beaver Brook**. 12-17-21

Our time is limited. The precious days with Cousin Laddie were too few. Lupe will always remember exploring Centennial Trail No. 89 with him, and wish that SPHP could once again be whomping up another batch of “Sheltie delight” spaghetti, because gentle soul Laddie is on his way to the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota.

**Cousin Laddie** in the **Black Hills of South Dakota** with **Lupe** and **Uncle Joe**

Links:

Remembering Cousin Dusty

Want more Lupe adventures? Check out Lupe’s Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions Adventure Index, Master Adventure Index, or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures!

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 313 – Centennial Trail No. 89: South from Bear Butte Lake with Cousin Laddie (2-12-23)

Where to? This was only the second full day of Cousin Laddie’s stay at Hotel Lupe, but also the last one, too. Tomorrow Laddie would already be on his way back home to Colorado. Gotta come up with something worthy of the occasion, but with a fair amount of snow in some parts of the Black Hills, what would be a good choice?

SPHP didn’t have to ponder the question long. But, of course! Why not? Both Uncle Joe and Laddie had enjoyed yesterday’s trek N from Fort Meade along Centennial Trail No. 89. They might enjoy completing that whole segment of the trail leading to Bear Butte Lake by starting at the lake, and working back toward Fort Meade. Ought to be easy to link up with the point where everyone turned back yesterday.

When Uncle Joe expressed enthusiasm for this plan, the die was cast.

10:45 AM, 49ºF, Bear Butte Lake trailhead, Centennial Trail No. 89 – Just as sunny and warm today as yesterday, but a 20 mph NW wind sweeping across the frozen lake sure made it feel colder. Joe and SPHP bundled up a bit and were fine. Lupe apparently was, too. No need to worry about Cousin Laddie under all that luxuriant Sheltie fur!

Everyone was soon ready to hit the trail, which started out heading SW along a mowed path a little way from the lake’s SE shore.

**Bear Butte** from the trailhead. Photo looks NNE.

Joe and Lupe about to head out. Photo looks W.

Crossing the mighty **Bear Butte Lake glacier** near the very start. Photo looks WSW.

**Bear Butte Lak**e with the **Black Hills** beyond. Photo looks W.

Halfway along the SE shore, Centennial Trail No. 89 went quite close to the lake. Might as well go have a look!

**Bear Butte Lake** from the SE shore. Photo looks N.

**Bear Butte** from **Bear Butte Lake**. Photo looks NE.

Joe and Laddie get in on the act. Photo looks NE.

After passing a small bay at the S end of the lake, the trail headed W out onto the prairie. Going gradually up a long rise, the trail flattened out near Hill 3204. Venturing a short distance off-trail, the hill provided a sweet view of Bear Butte Lake with Bear Butte (4,422 ft.) beyond.

Heading out onto the prairie. Photo looks W.

**Bear Butte Lake** and **Bear Butte** from **Hill 3204**. Photo looks NE.

Returning to Centennial Trail No. 89, it continued W across a featureless plain, eventually angling SW toward a ridge. From the top this ridge there was a last view of Bear Butte and Bear Butte Lake back to the NE.

**Bear Butte** and **Bear Butte Lake** from the top of the ridge. Photo looks NE.

A vast expanse of prairie was now in sight to the W with the Black Hills beyond it. Crook Mountain (4,930 ft.) was readily identifiable to the WSW past Oyster Mountain (4,040 ft.), although neither looked all that big from here.

**Oyster Mountain** (the darkly forested hill way beyond Lupe) with **Crook Mountain** (slightly L) beyond it. Photo looks W.

The most interesting view, though, was to the S. The long ridge everyone had reached yesterday from Fort Meade was 1.5 miles away. Since there was plenty of time to get over to it, a short break was taken here before continuing on. Conditions were more pleasant now, the N wind having died down somewhat.

Looking SSW toward the long, flat, grassy ridge that was today’s objective.

Soon everyone was ready to press on. Centennial Trail No. 89 went S as it now descended toward the lowlands. Near a pond, the trail reached a fence line, which it followed SW to a gate. Going through the gate, the trail became more of a faint 2 track road as it headed S again. By the time it eventually curved SW, the majority of the distance to the next ridge had already been covered.

Approaching the destination ridge. Photo looks SW.

Near the end of this stretch through the lowlands, the trail curved SE, starting up toward the same gap in the ridge to the S everyone had made it to yesterday. In this region, Cousin Laddie and Uncle Joe successfully completed their explorations of Centennial Trail No. 89 between Fort Meade and Bear Butte Lake. Nearly to the ridge now, going all the way to the top again seemed like the thing to do.

Joe and Laddie heading up to **the gap** (R). **Bear Butte** (Center). Photo looks NE.

Looking ESE down on **the gap** as Joe and Laddie complete the trek up onto the ridge.

Once up on the ridge, the plan was to take a break somewhere along the N edge. Going W along the rim, a second point jutting out toward the N seemed like a good spot. The upper E side provided some shelter from the wind, which was still blowing. This area overlooked a ravine full of snow that extended clear back down to the prairie.

Lupe and Laddie on a snowbank near the break spot. **Bear Butte** (R). Photo looks NNE.

Just like yesterday, SPHP let Laddie and Lupe split a chocolate coconut bar, followed up by as much Taste of the Wild as they wanted. Joe and SPHP had apples and Kirkland bars again. Water, of course, for anyone who wanted it.

Sweeping views of the low prairie looked like one might go on exploring forever. Only 2 miles W, the Black Hills beckoned clad in dark pines.

A small pond was in sight about 0.5 mile N out on the prairie. Although Centennial Trail No. 89 didn’t go to it, getting there would be easy. The plan for the return became to follow the long snowfield extending down the ravine, then continue across the prairie to visit this little pond.

However, what looked like a carcass was visible down along the W side of the ravine. Before everyone got underway again, Joe leashed Laddie up to prevent him from getting anywhere near it.

Joe and Laddie out on the breezy point. Photo looks NW.

The snow in the ravine was strong, supporting even SPHP’s weight. Joe and Laddie completely by-passed the carcass, but Lupe and SPHP went over for a look. The cow had been dead so long that even the Carolina Dog didn’t want a thing to do with it.

Heading down the snow-filled ravine. Photo looks NNE.

After sticking with the snow in the ravine until it ran out, the trek across the prairie to the little pond was next. A bit of cactus caused Loopster to insist upon implementing her anti-cactus strategy, which basically meant SPHP had to go first, certifying the route directly ahead was cacti-free. Only then would Lupe follow.

The little pond was frozen, of course. Uncle Joe ventured onto the ice. Cousin Laddie eventually did, too. The American Dingo and SPHP did not. The only other thing of interest here was a gnarled tree on a small barren rise just NE of the pond. Even the tree wasn’t all that fascinating, but at least Lupe and Laddie could say they’d been here.

Uncle Joe out on the ice. Photo looks NNW.

Heading E from the pond and its lone gnarled tree, Centennial Trail No. 89 was soon reached again. Rather than go back entirely along the same route, the day’s journey concluded with a detour around the N side of Bear Butte Lake on the way back to the trailhead.

This involved a trek through a campground, following a primitive road through some trees where there were big mounds of snow, and ended with a short-cut through an extensive, currently dry region of cattails.

**Bear Butte** and **Bear Butte Lake** back in sight again. Photo looks NE.

Getting close to **Bear Butte Lake**. Photo looks E.

On a snowbank near the W end of the lake. Photo looks N.

Setting out around the N side of **Bear Butte Lake**. Photo looks NE.

By 2:40 PM, the day’s outdoor adventures were over. It had been a fun time with Cousin Laddie and Uncle Joe. Although Hotel Lupe wasn’t serving dinner tonight, Grandma was throwing a Super Bowl party at her apartment.

There were lots of good things to eat! Lupe got a Busy Rib Hide. Laddie didn’t, because he had only one front tooth to chew with, his L canine that earned him his Cousin Snaggle Fang nickname, but he could have Beggin’ Strips. Both cousins also enjoyed plenty of baked chicken that SPHP doled out.

Lupe was disappointed the Dingoes weren’t even in it, but the Super Bowl was actually exciting this year! The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38 to 35 in a high-scoring duel undecided until the final seconds.

Cousin Laddie’s brief visit to Hotel Lupe and the Black Hills with Uncle Joe and Aunt Andrea had been a marvelous time! Lupe and SPHP were so glad they had come, even though 2.5 happy days together had flown by all too quickly. The next morning it was sad to see them go.

No one at the time, though, realized just how extremely sad it was.

With **Cousin Laddie** & **Uncle Joe** near **Bear Butte Lake**, South Dakota 2-12-23

Links:

Next Black Hills Expedition Prior Black Hills Expedition

Centennial Trail No. 89 Brochure & Map

Lupe & Laddie’s GPS Track to the Break Spot

Remembering Cousin Laddie

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 312 – Centennial Trail No. 312 North from Fort Meade with Cousin Laddie (2-11-22)

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 149 – Centennial Trail No. 89: Fort Meade to Bear Butte Lake (12-19-15)

Want more Lupe adventures? Check out Lupe’s Black Hills, SD & WY Expeditions Adventure Index, Master Adventure Index, or subscribe free to new Lupe adventures!

Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 312 – Centennial Trail No. 89: North from Fort Meade with Cousin Laddie (2-11-23)

2-10-23, mid-afternoon at home – Lupe was going berserk! Despite being delayed due to a super icy hill, Cousin Laddie, Aunt Andrea, and Uncle Joe were here from Colorado! Wild with joy, the Carolina Dog greeted them all to Hotel Lupe with enormous enthusiasm. Chocolate bars were on their pillows, and SPHP was cooking tonight!

In the evening, even Grandma came over for the feast. Cousin Laddie was hoping for SPHP’s “Sheltie delight” spaghetti, but got chili instead. Once it cooled off enough, Laddie decided the chili wasn’t bad, either, stuffing himself with 2 big bowls of it. Not to be outdone, Lupe had 3.

2-11-23, 10:27 AM, 44ºF, junction of USFS Roads No. 144 & No. 144.1A – As Lupe hoped and expected, Cousin Laddie’s arrival meant adventures in the Black Hills were in store! SPHP had selected Peak 5321 near Nemo as a good objective to start with.

Seemed like a perfect choice! USFS Road No. 144.1A went nearly all the way to the top with less than 300 feet of elevation gain, passing scenic Ash Point just before getting there. Another great viewpoint was a short distance beyond the summit, too, if everyone felt a bit more ambitious.

However, there was a lot more snow than SPHP anticipated at the start of USFS Road No. 144.1A. So much snow that Uncle Joe was wishing he’d brought snowshoes!

At the start of USFS Road No. 144.1A. Photo looks S.

Well, this was a N slope. SPHP promoted the notion that once the road got up to where it enjoyed a more S-facing exposure, the snow wouldn’t be nearly so deep. There might not even be any snow at all. Uncle Joe was willing to play along with that idea, at least for a little way.

After passing a barricade near the start, No. 144.1A angled SE. The snow made what should have been an easy, gradual ascent quite a workout. Cousin Laddie with his short Sheltie legs had the hardest time of it, but didn’t complain at all, bounding through chest deep snow like a trooper, trying to keep up with Uncle Joe.

By the barricade near the start. Photo looks SSE.

The snowy initial climb. Photo looks SE.

After gaining 100 feet of elevation, the road curved SW and started to level out in a sunnier region. As expected, there was less snow here.

Joe and Laddie lead the way on a still mostly snowy road. Photo looks WSW.

Before long, No. 144.1A curved SE again. With the snow just as deep as it was earlier, SPHP had to concede that maybe Peak 5321 wasn’t actually such a great idea today. A new plan was hatched. If it was too snowy in the hills, maybe Joe and Laddie would be interested in a prairie hike at much lower elevations?

Joe and Lupe as far as the snow trek went, a little over 0.4 mile in. Photo looks SE.

When SPHP suggested taking Centennial Trail No. 89 N from Fort Meade, Joe was all for it. He liked the Fort Meade area, in fact, Joe and Cousin Dusty had often been with Loopster on Centennial Trail No. 89 N of the Alkali Creek trailhead, just S of Fort Meade. Joe called that section of the trail the “Ponderosa hike”, and it had always been one of their favorites in the entire Black Hills region.

With this new plan in mind, everyone headed back to the RAV4.

Returning to the RAV4 on a still too wintery USFS Road No. 144.1A. Photo looks NW.

2-11-23, 11:54 AM, 52ºF, Centennial Trail No. 89, Fort Meade trailhead – Oh, yeah! Much better! Cousin Laddie was going to have an easier time of it here. Some snow around, but not much, and only in a few spots.

At the **Fort Meade trailhead**. Photo looks NW.

After crossing Hwy 34/79 just W of Fort Meade, everyone went through a gate N of the highway, then continued N through a field of tall, dry grass toward oaks and cottonwoods over by Bear Butte Creek.

About to head through the gate after crossing Hwy 34/79. Photo looks N.

Reaching the trees near Bear Butte Creek. Photo looks NE.

A surprise was waiting at Bear Butte Creek. The bridge that used to be here was gone! No sign of it! Fortunately, the creek was running low. Joe wandered W along the near bank, looking for a place to cross. He found a suitable spot 200 feet upstream.

Meanwhile, Cousin Laddie had ventured into Bear Butte Creek. Finding it deeper than he expected, Laddie tried to get out, but each time he leapt up onto a shelf of ice along the edge of the stream, a big chunk would collapse beneath him, plunging the Sheltie right back into the water.

Laddie kept trying, though, finally managing to escape. Laddie, Lupe, and SPHP all headed for the area where Uncle Joe had made it across, and had success, too.

Joe already up on the N bank, waiting for Laddie. Photo looks NW.

After crossing Bear Butte Creek and finding the trail again, it headed NE across a huge field. A long ridge more than 150 feet high was just to the N. The top of Bear Butte (4,422 ft.) was visible beyond it.

Entering the field. **Bear Butte** (R). Photo looks NE.

The trail went NE all the way to a fence line where it turned N. Warning whistles revealed the presence of a small prairie dog town near the base of the ridge. All excited, the American Dingo dashed off to stick her nose down some prairie dog holes and enjoy some serious sniffing.

Either Shelties don’t give a fig about prairie dogs, or Laddie didn’t hear them due to his partial deafness. In any case, he displayed absolutely no interest, preferring to follow Uncle Joe up the 2 track dirt road the trail now followed up the ridge. When SPHP went that way, too, Lupe quickly abandoned her prairie dog investigations.

Beyond the prairie dog village, starting up the ridge. Photo looks NE.

After getting up the first rise, the dirt road flattened out. The top of the ridge was still somewhat higher. A second minor push required to get to the upper plateau didn’t take long. Once on top, a lone boulder was seen resting 30 feet E of the road near the S rim.

The boulder looked like a good spot to take a break. A couple of ponds were in sight a mile E, and Bear Butte was in view again, too. Sitting on the grass, SPHP let Laddie and Lupe split a chocolate coconut bar, and gave them as much Taste of the Wild as they wanted. Joe and SPHP each had a Kirkland bar that Joe provided, plus an apple.

On the big grassy bench below the top of the ridge. Photo looks NW.

Relaxing near the lone boulder. **Bear Butte** (R). Photo looks NNE.

The **ponds** (Center) from the boulder near the S edge of the ridge. Photo looks E.

The view back toward **Fort Meade** and **Bear Butte Creek**. Photo looks S.

After the pleasant rest break, following the dirt road just a little farther N led to an intersection. Centennial Trail No. 89 turned NE (R) here in the general direction of Bear Butte, remaining on top of the broad ridge.

This flat stroll was about as easy as it gets, and views of the surrounding prairie were terrific. Conditions were fabulous for February, mid 50’s ºF, with scarcely a breeze. Joe and SPHP chatted about what a great place to camp this ridge would be on a starry night.

The **western South Dakota prairie**. Photo looks NNW.

Laddie and Lupe didn’t find all that much to sniff up here other than an empty water trough in a wooden fence, but still seemed to be enjoying themselves.

By the dry water trough. **Bear Butte** (L). Photo looks NE.

After going NE for more than a mile, the road curved E toward a gap in the ridge. Before heading down into the gap, a few moments were taken to appreciate the view of Bear Butte from up here. Bear Butte Lake was just coming into sight at the base of the mountain.

A long, long time ago, Cousin Dusty had been up here with Lupe. It was sad to think that Cousin Dusty was gone now, but, of course, nice to have Cousin Laddie’s company.

Laddie and Lupe together before descending into the gap. Photo looks NE.

**Bear Butte Lake** at the base of **Bear Butte** with help from the telephoto lens.

Descending into the gap, Uncle Joe scanned the ground for artifacts as he turned N, venturing farther down into the prairie.

Below the ridge after going through the gap. Photo looks NW.

Joe and Laddie head farther out into the prairie. Photo looks NW.

Bear Butte’s summit is the N end of 111 mile long Centennial Trail No. 89, but Laddie and Lupe weren’t going that far today. Now 2.5 miles from the Fort Meade trailhead, Uncle Joe was ready to turn back.

About ready to head back up onto the ridge. Photo looks S.

**Cousin Laddie** at trail’s end for the day.

**Bear Butte** from the turnaround point. Photo looks NE.

The return was beautiful, half of it way up on the ridge with the big prairie views, this time heading toward the Black Hills.

Joe and Laddie returning to the ridge. Photo looks SSE.

Heading for the **Black Hills**. Photo looks SW.

2-11-23, 3:00 PM, Fort Meade trailhead – Nearly the entire return route was identical, except near the very end. By going farther W through the huge field and a picnic ground, a lovely bridge over Bear Butte Creek had been discovered along a bike path. Happily, Laddie hadn’t had to brave the icy waters a second time.

Later on in the evening, Cousin Laddie had another reason to celebrate. Joe and Andrea brought Grandma over to Hotel Lupe again, and SPHP didn’t disappoint. Tonight’s chef’s special was “Sheltie delight” spaghetti, a Laddie favorite even American Dingoes were partial to.