Traditions at HCR

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Since my parents moved out to South Dakota and opened Hay Creek Ranch, we have made a yearly trek to see them.  This is usually the only week of the year that we get to see each other.  Several traditions have sprung up because of this.  It goes with out saying that we ride horses since it is a horse camp.  I always try to get a trail ride in with my dad, and the kids get their little rides around the camp.  However, in addition to this there are a few other things that just “have” to happen in order to meet everyone’s expectations. 

 Car Ride- During the ride we have to get snacks at each stop.  A “RedBox” movie is rented at some point in the travels and dropped off at the next stop.  A stop in Omaha at the zoo is a requirement on the way home.  This usually includes a night in a hotel with a pool.

Food- Yes, we all have to eat.  However, when at HCR there are menu requirements for the week. 

• We must go to the Sugar Shack at least once.  They have the best burgers in the Black Hills.  It says so on their sign, but I will guarantee it.  It is one of those places that you have to make a point of going into very hungry, or you won’t come out just stuffed, you’ll come out BURSTING. 
• We must grill at least once.  If you know my dad, you know that he is an expert when it comes to preparing any kind meat.  This year, I found out that my brother has inherited that skill.  We had an amazing tri-tip one evening.  Nothing makes this girl happier than perfectly prepared beef!
• Jell-O salads. Period.  Mom makes the best combinations. I don't care if the outside world (anyone who isn't a Worthan or a Lindgren)  thinks they are strange.   They are just one of those things that you have to try before making a judgment.  Could I make them myself? Heck yeah.  Is it better when she does it?  Of course.  It is always better when mom makes your childhood favorites.
• S’mores- No explanation needed.  HCR is a campground.  There are campfires. Duh! 

Tourist Attractions- Visiting an area attraction or two is something we typically do.  We have been to Mt. 

Rushmore (or Mt. Rushmort, as Joe called it) more times than I can count.  Joe loves the presidents, especially Abraham Lincoln.  This past summer was the first time we didn’t make that trip.  Dan and I were pretty thrilled.  It is an amazing thing to see, but once is enough.  However, we did make a repeat trip to Hill City to the dinosaur museum.  If you want to see hundreds of fossils in one place, I would recommend it.  One other favorite of ours is the Mammoth Dig Site in Hot Springs.  It is an active site where scientists and students are currently uncovering the remains of several mammoths and other extinct creatures.  There is also an activity for kids to join in a “dig.”  They are given their own section and proper tools to dig in a pre-made site.  Each kid uncovers replica fossils of part of a mammoth.  Two summers ago Joe found a jaw and Lynn found a “mammoth ribbon.”  It was a rib bone.  Rib bone, ribbon, you get it. 

            Our little excursions usually involve some kind of learning or chance to be awed.  It is really amazing to have my parents experience that with their grandkids.

And last but not least...

 The Un-Birthday Party- I have been told that my mom and I are a lot alike.  “You are Jody’s daughter, aren’t you,” is the first thing out of the mouth of nearly every person I encounter for the first time at HCR.  Not to mention, I have answered the phone many times in my life and had people talk to me about all sorts of stuff before they realized that it wasn’t my mom they were talking to.  So we look alike, we sound alike, and we

have proven that sarcasm is genetic (if I have to explain this, you don’t really know us), but we have some other things in common as well.  One commonality is that we get a lot of joy out of watching people open gifts we have bought or made for them.  Sending a gift through the mail is great and often necessary, but seeing the face when a person opens a gift is really the best part of the gift giving experience.  My mom doesn’t have a chance to experience this very often with my family, and because of this she decided that every year we need an “Un-Birthday Party” during our stay at HCR.

  What’s that, you say? Well, there is only one day a year that is your Birthday, but the other 364 are your Un-Birthdays.  You might as well party on at least one of them with a little cake and some presents.  The first year Mom did this it was a surprise, the second year the kids wondered if it would happen, and since then our arrival in the driveway sounds something like this, “Hi G-ma and Papa.  When’s the party?” The gifts are never big, but they are always just right.  We sing Happy Birthday to everyone and each kid gets to take a turn spitting on,

I mean blowing out the candles individually. 

 This party is the best tradition to come out of having our family spread out across the country.  Bringing joy to our selves by giving it to others is what life is all about.  Well, and the cake.  We like cake, too.