Devil's Bathtub, Spearfish Canyon

It's been awhile since we've had a chance to really get out and explore. We've been here and there but no where that really stuck out. We had plans to get back out to Jenney Gulch but when the time came to head out it was voted down for a more private area. We headed to Devil's Bathtub.

Now, when we first moved here the locals were always encouraging us to get out and see it. We drove south Cheyenne Crossing and came into Spearfish Canyon that way. About 18 miles or so in there's a road named Cleopatra. Who can forget that? We parked here and started down the trail.

It was pretty easy going for awhile. The trail winds back and forth across the stream several times. It was awesome to get my feet wet. At times it was easier just to walk up the creek instead of fighting through the trail. There was a lot of silliness. I must have lost my flip flops half a dozen times. The trail meandered through a series of small pools. Some I would have been content on sitting at all day but the allure of Devil's Bathtub was ahead.

It took up the better park of an hour to get up to the spot. Some places were a little tricky and required some concentration. We had brought Wu with us and were a little worried but he was all about it. He treated it like an agility course and was a total show-off.

We spent most of our day at the pool just beyond the actual Devil's Bathtub. To get up to it was a little tricky and Wu (this is me blaming it all on the dog) was a little freaked out about it. Josh and Nate cruised up past a water luge and explored beyond it. Some people were gold panning up past where the boys had been and told us that the creek lead to the old Cleopatra Mine. I spent most of the time in a little waterfall getting my back massaged.

I found myself a walking stick to navigate the rocks with. It was a little to tall for me but perfect for Josh. He quickly snatched it up and I was lucky enough to find another stick for myself. We spent a little time playing in the rapids. It was such a great spot, very private and pristine. Even though Nate was there it was still romantic.

After finding ourselves water logged and exhausted we hiked back towards the car. Wu was excited to be on the move again and whoever was in the water had a companion. It didn't take us long at all. The walking sticks had proved incredibly useful. It had been another amazing day in the hills.

We are so lucky. A beautiful hike and warm water to swim in. We can't wait to go back!

Jenny Gulch, Pactola Lake, SD

One of the most beautiful lakes in the area is Pactola. It's man made and stunning. The pine hills fall into the crisp blue waters. It's truely a gem of the Black Hills. Jenny Gulch is a popular swimming spot for the young adventurous types.

We had been hearing about the Gulch for about a year now and had invites before but nothing ever seemed to pan out. So, we finally got our friends together and headed out there. Tyler led the way, he and Amanda are locals and had been hundreds of times. Josh, Nate, Wu and myself followed.

We parked and began the hike up. There was a little stream to cross and of course the dogs ran right through. Wu wasn't sure about it but went ahead and did it. The path winds up a ricky crest and then down a pine needle covered rocky hillside. It's not an easy trail in flip flops.

The actual spot is a outcropping of rocks. There are a few

different heights that one could jump off into the depths. Not once did I touch the bottom of the lake. Once you were off the rocks you were over your head. It was a little scary but amazing. The water was warm and everyone was in a great mood.

Our friends had brought their dogs and they were giving Wu a lesson in fetch. He wanted to play but is still too much puppy. He swam his little heart out though. It was the first time he had actually been in a large body of water. Josh and I could swim out and Wu would swim at us. He would actually try to climb on us which turned out to be dangerous. By the end of the day I looked like I'd been beat up by alley cats.

We swam for hours. It was amazing. Amanda and I swam to the other side and jumped off the rocks there. The dogs played fetch until Wu, at least, was exhausted. He laid on the rocks watching everyone else for hours.

In the afternoon it started to get really crowded and we packed up. It was the perfect day to get in the water and relax.