From South Dakota to Nebraska

 After our rest days in Custer, Trish and I headed across South Dakota to get back to work.

As we departed we were going to take the Needles Highway through Custer State Park, but, we discovered that they had closed that road for the winter.  We did, however, get as far as Sylvan Lake in the Park before the road was closed.  Just this one view was worth the entire drive.  It was otherworldly.

There were also plenty of deer to see on this drive.  After a while we lose count as they seem to be everywhere.  Along the major highways there are frequent seasonal light-up signs warning drivers to keep special lookout for deer.  There are so many they are a real danger.

After a Saturday workshop in Canistota, South Dakota, we drove down to Nebraska to a monastery called St. Benedict’s.  This was the setting for a four day retreat with the American Baptist Church Ministers’ Council.  We had a lovely time.

Each day started with early breakfast and this was our morning scene as St. Benedict himself presided over the sunrise.