Dakotas 2017

It was a successful pheasant season in the Dakotas, despite the drought that cut the bird population back significantly. Drew left about 10 days before we did and sent me all kinds of good photos with the dogs. Even as a pup, Boomer did awesome. He and Cotton make a perfect team because they are so different. I'm looking forward to many years ahead of us with them.  

Griffin and Cooper both love being up north. They have always traveled well and don't pose much of a problem. This year, we ended up riding in the WDT travel van affectionately known as the "mafia van". It offers lots of room, ability to stand, outlets, a bathroom (we didn't need to use), and a satellite TV. Hard to complain about a drive, no matter how long it is in a vehicle like that. Actually, there was only 1 problem. Once we got to Omaha, the wind really picked up and turned the van into a kite on 4 wheels. It is no fun to ride a billboard in 60 mph wind gusts. Fortunately, no one got sick. Another interesting thing about this year is that we brought our high school aged babysitter with us. We went back and forth about it. She really wanted to go, and it was actually very nice since everyone got to go hunting in the morning while she stayed with the sleeping kids. They joined us after lunch for afternoon hunts except for 1 very windy afternoon.  

Boomer's first retrieve

Before we got up there, Drew sent me some very sad pictures of Cotton's first experience with a porcupine. It was pretty pitiful. They drove the poor guy to a vet about 30 miles away and she sedated him to get the quills out of his nose and mouth. He recovered quick! Just a day off and he was back at 100%. 

Griffin was out of school on the Friday and Monday of our trip for a scheduled Fall Break. He had to miss half of Thursday, but his teacher assured me it wasn't a big deal. Mrs. Darter asked Griffin to send her a picture while we were gone. The very first day we took this one and he insisted that I got it to her right away. She ended up putting it on the projector the following week and letting Griffin get up in front of class to talk about his trip and show a feather. He was on cloud 9. 

He also took his BB gun in hopes of shooting a pheasant with it. This was about as close as he got. 

Such a special place that we can't wait to get back to! I'm hoping we will see the Dakotas in the summer of next year for the first time. 

Dakotas 2016

Another trip to the Dakotas is under our belts. I'm so happy we are able to do that. Can Griffin miss a week of kindergarten next year? We'll have to see. I think I say it every year, but it one place where my husband is more relaxed and happier than usual. We love it. 

On this trip, we were joined by my parents. I think they had a good time, though my Mom may be a little scarred for life after being around so many dead animals. 

The second row of the rental - see that spot between the seats? that was mine!

Always travel lightly with children

the best part of being squeezed between 2 car seats for a day and half

dinner at the Chili's in Sioux City, IA

video chat with daddy from the hotel that night, we were so close!!!

Cotton had been working hard!!

We did a little rock climbing/picking. 

Beautiful country!!

 

we had a lot of fun with Eric's drone

A couple years ago, a black lab was dumped by a real jerk down at the farmhouse. Griffin named him Pistol and we took care of him while trying to find a good home. After a few weeks, he ended up moving to South Dakota to live with Merlin. It's amazing to see how happy and loved he is. It was especially awesome when he tracked and caught a wounded bird of mine for me on the last day. We high-fived and took a picture. I love happy endings.

And now we wait until next year for more fun in the Dakotas.