Merry Christmas one and all...

Dead Buddha in Deadwood!

Gambling Buddha?

NEWS FROM THE FRONT

On Sunday we finally admitted defeat and withdrew from the Northern Badlands. We are currently encamped at the King’s Inn in Belle Fourche, S.D.
I want it known that for four days and three nights we fought a courageous and smart campaign. So, why did we lose? The overwhelming numbers of the enemy were too great.
The first night’s battle I would say was a happy outcome for our side. The enemy sent two squads (twenty or so) of house flies with a few blow flies as scouts and the usual contingent of mosquitoes to act as snipers. We killed more than half the number of flies, a few mosquitoes and drove the rest into confusion – holding our own until the cool of the night sent them all packing. The rest of the evening was peaceful and we congratulated ourselves for having won the day and established a camp where we could sit by the fire and enjoy our evening meal.
The next morning was quiet but as the heat of the day rose into the 80’s a full-fledged attach of flies (another couple of squads) and a contingent of several dozen squads of Black Gnats began. We fought them off with flyswatters, mosquito coils and various repellents for more than two hours until forced to move into our tent fortress and watch them exhaust themselves against the netting. They remained and in the evening we tried another counter-offensive using burning sage brush. I would have to call this day’s campaign a draw, as the sage kept them in check. Again, they left at evening’s chill and we were able to enjoy a full meal although we were feeling the exhaustion of a hard fought battle.
















The third day brought another attack of flies and gnats (a full battalion of the latter), as well as increasing numbers of mosquitoes and, after killing many of the enemy, we once again retreated during the afternoon - this time leaving the campsite and driving up to the Oxbow overlook and down route 20. When we returned their forces had multiplied and held the ground despite heavy casualties inflicted by our flyswatter, liberal use of repellants and much sage burning for the rest of the day. By evening, as they retreated again we had accepted that the war was a losing proposition.
















This morning we de-camped and headed south for the safety of the King’s Inn to heal our wounds and recover our dwindling morale. We intend to restock our depleted supplies and will wage another campaign here in South Dakota, probably at Wind Cave National Park in a few days. Wish us well, as we suspect this war can only end with our eventual retreat back home to Connecticut.

Badlands?

Thursday, Sept 3^rd was quite a day. The delights began when we pulled into the Crossroads café on route 200 in Killdeer to have some breakfast.

 While waiting for our eggs and coffee we struck up a conversation with Bob and Alma Hansen, natives of North Dakota who owned a ranch nearby, as well as a small house in town. 

All through breakfast we chatted and at some point they asked if we had time for them to show us their ranch. Although I was seeing the badlands for the first time and setting up camp in the North section of Teddy Roosevelt Park today, I knew this was an opportunity not to be missed. Bob and Alma were delightful conversationalists and old enough (she is 90, he is 83) to have gathered more than a few tales concerning this fascinating part of North Dakota. In fact Bob had worked in soil management, as well as running a grain elevator and ranching, so he had quite a bit of knowledge about the geography of the land, as well as it’s history.

So, we stepped into their 4-wheel drive Chevy and off we went happily listening to their life histories and tales of the western part of N. Dakota. At some point we started up a dirt road over one of the ubiquitous low grassy hills and as we came over the peak, there were gasps from Anneli and I – which delighted but did not surprise our guides. There was our first looks at the extraordinary buttes and valleys that make up the badlands. 

For the next hour we wound our way through these amazing vistas and finally came to the top of a butte that overlooked a wonderful green valley, filled with cedar, through which the Littler Missouri River wound its way slowly. It was a vision of surpassing beauty. This was their ranch! And how rightly proud they were of it.

Having left Bob and Alma with an exchange of addresses and that wonderful feeling that comes from having been welcomed by strangers into a bit of their life, we arrived at the park.

The park center was closed but we were lucky to run into a ranger who was just leaving. He gave us a map and directions to the campground, told us where we could find some deadfall wood for our fire and generally made us feel welcome. 

Winding our way up the dirt road that runs to the campground, some 4 miles into the park, we came across numerous road reconstruction sites being paid for by Obama’s Recovery Act. (In fact, driving through Michigan and Minnesota we had seen ample evidence of the many projects being done with our money. And all of them were sorely needed. It is somewhat disheartening to see how little care we have given to our roads, bridges and highways in the past decade. However, it is encouraging to know that we are finally beginning the long and expensive task of fixing this.)

 

As we pulled into the campground area, which lies along the river, once again, we were left gasping by the site of a dozen or more American Bison lolling around in the picnic area. We did not stop to take pictures, knowing we would be here for several days and had ample time for that. We choose a very lovely site, away from the main area, which had a few tents and RVs. The campgrounds were not crowded and there were no other campers in the area we choose. As we were setting up, three white tailed deer – a mature doe, a young doe and a young buck came through the trees and began grazing in the grass just 40 feet or so from out site. They were not concerned with our presence at all and hung around for a half hour or so.

 

As sun set, the moon was full and very large throwing enough light to walk around without a flashlight, casting shadows of the trees on the road and generally creating an impression of being in a place where elves and other mystical creatures might feel right at home.

 

This morning, as I walked around this part of the campground, enjoying my coffee, I pondered the odd name of “badlands.” I know that was what The Dakota Sioux called this area and I wondered why? I suppose that being used to the plains with its thousands of miles of open grassland, huge herds of Bison and ample populations of elk and deer, these steep buttes and cedar filled valleys must have seemed a bit confining and not as fertile as the lands they choose to call home. However, I also imagined what it would have been like if a group of apaches had found their way up here. These buttes, so like the mesas of their native southwest only filled with game and trees and with various small pockets of water and the occasional river running through would have seemed to the apache as if they had wandered into the place where the Great Spirit had created a land of milk and honey. I doubt they would have called this the “badlands.”

Income equality?

As of 2007, the top decile of American earners took in half of total wages,(Which leaves just half of the money for the other 95% of us. No wonder we can't afford health care.) In 2007 wealth for the wealthy was "higher than any other year since 1917 and even surpasses 1928, the peak of stock market bubble in the 'roaring" 1920s.' The top 1% took in half the overall growth. The middle class lost big.

Recent economic reports show that this gap is only getting much worse.

"nuff said?

Strike for Health Care

If we want a real health plan for everyone we must act. The senate and congress will give in, are giving in, to the demands of insurance and drug industries.

For the two days following Labor Day (September 8 and 9) join a nationwide strike to demand a public health plan.

This comes from a concerned citizen. There is no organization, group or special interest promoting this. You don’t need to protest or parade – just stay home. Don’t shop, don’t go to work unless you are police, firefighter or medical worker. Close the schools, large pharmacies, grocery stores and department stories. Avoid gas stations, movies, restaurant chains, etc. If you must get a staple go to a small local store. Let’s let our representative and big business know we have had it!

Please take the risk for the good of all. It will work.

Pass this along.

TED GUHL

New Britain, CT

Write to your local Newspaper, radio or TV Station

Dear ____________________,

I believe it would be very useful to do an article on what funds (if any) our city can expect from the President's recent stimulus package and how specifically those funds might be used in ___________________.

For instance, will there be funds for homeowners to use for energy efficiency improvements? Can we expect improvements to our infrastructure, municipal buildings and schools? Will the arts see any support? How about benefits to local businesses? Are any of our local banks getting support? What about specific support for improved healthcare, welfare and crime prevention? Any transportion projects?

If we are expecting little funding, why? Is that a state decision? Has our council and mayor not requested it? Is it too early to give specifics and if so, when can we expect them?

Thank you for considering this suggestion.

To CoCo

Hi!
It has been a long time. To answer your question, it is a little like Prairie Home Companion, only the shows are almost all original 1930's and 40's. Lotsof old timers in this one. Hope to see you there.
Ted
ps. send me your email address.

Howdy Folks,

It is time to give yourself a treat and make reservation for LIVE OLD TIME RADIO at the Hole in the Wall theater. 

You can go to the Hole in the Wall website at:    www.hitw.org

OR visit LOTR's site at:  www.theatercalendar.org/show/lotr.html

See you there?