12,000 miles

Since the end of May, I have trekked over 12,000 miles in my car. Pittsburgh, Chicago, St. Paul, South Dakota, Houston, and back to South Dakota.

It has seen trips to the Black Hills and Bad Lands for hiking. Escapes to Valentine, NE for a sit down meal and a beverage. Treks to Pierre, SD and Rapid City, SD for performances with the band. Afternoons of fishing and excursions to St. Francis for band practice.

I have driven to the different communities on Rosebud Reservation. I have explored some of Pine Ridge and much of southern South Dakota.

And during those 12,000 miles I have seen places and people I thought I would never have seen. The endless ranches and vast farms, the Sand Hills and the Black Hills, the urban chaos of Houston and the rural chaos of Rosebud Reservation.

12,000 miles in 6 months. It makes me wonder how much more I will see in the next dozen.