...of good cheer and hazardous travel conditions. The roads can be slippery, the temps can plummet and blended diesel fuel needs to be found. I have traveled to three shows since early November without mishap of any kind...thank you God. I just returned from a show in Gillette, Wyoming. The drive across South Dakota and eastern Wyoming is something I look forward too, if the weather cooperates, it did. The landscape is one of open horizon in all directions. I cannot help but feel small in such spaces. I gain perspective and am inspired to put those images and feelings on my pots some how. The drive through the Black Hills is also inspiring. There the snow seems like a gentle blanket, not the torn and ripped remnants it can be on the open plains.
The return drive from the energy rich town of Gillette, Wyoming takes you through Moorcroft, across vast vistas to the Key Hole Park area, then to Sundance and into Spearfish, South Dakota...if the interstate is open. One more than one occasion I have been stranded in Gillette because of bad winter weather and a closed interstate. On this trip I had only the cold north west wind, falling darkness and a little blowing snow to contend with. Several hours later I and a friend arrived at the Elk Creek Lodge in Piedmont, South Dakota. There we shared a great meal, relaxing conversation and much needed laugher after the drive...thanks Earl. The longer I continue to do these shows, the more important the friends made at the shows become and less so the money. Ha!...don't get me wrong the money is important too...I'm just gaining more of that perspective I eluded too earlier.
The following day found us in Whitewood at the local family restaurant for breakfast. I love local restaurants and the folks that frequent them. Usually this place has only a few older ranchers in when I stop. They are like old codgers every where, giving each other and the waitress an equally hard time over a cup of Joe and their "usual" breakfast. Today was Sunday so the place was busy with families and couples coming for a late breakfast after church...the place was packed with young and old alike. The older folk were doing their Sunday visiting over coffee and the younger folk were chasing each other around the tables before their pancakes came...I didn't see a old codger in sight!
The drive to Deadwood took us over a back road of freshly covered snow...it truly was a beautiful morning. I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to live in this country and how my pots might reflect that change...maybe I could become one of those gentlemen of leisure at the restaurant. The visit to a shop in Deadwood went well and pots were left...again, thank you Earl.
The remainder of the day was spent on what I can only call "another adventure with Earl". We had stayed at a friends' house while they were away at other shows. Some how between going to Deadwood and coming back we had managed to lock ourselves out of the house...we had no key to get back in! I spent the better part of an hour trying to break into the house while Earl walked around the hill in the cold trying to get reception on her phone. I made a very poor burglar, Earl eventually had better luck than I did and a key was located next door. By that time were both freezing our butts off from standing outside in the cold...the heat inside the house felt great! Our next dilemma was trying to figure out how to start the washer and dryer...damn, since when did you need to be a rocket scientist to wash a few sheets? The two of us did manage to overcome that problem without any outside assistance. After a hot latte we were off across the plains of South Dakota in the snow and dark to our respective homes...again without mishap...again, thank you God.
As I finish this, the weather here in Bushnell has once again turned colder, the wind is picking up and the snow is blowing...after all,'tis the season.
