Tuesday, January 29, 2025
I truly didn’t realize it has been so long since my last post. Time sure seems to fly by. I would like to get back to posting and decided to start with this post.
I want to share a significant change in my life. After thirty-nine years in Colorado my husband and I decided to move to Spearfish, SD.
As snow-birds, since retiring, we have traveled in our RV to many states, mostly in the south and west. When we decided we wanted to leave Colorado it became a question of where – Texas, Florida, Arizona, Wyoming, Idaho.
After many discussions and observations along our travels we decided that the western part of the United States suits us best. Since we both grew up and lived in Louisiana until 1986, we hold a deep fondness for the south. We have family and friends there and we will continue to travel and enjoy our time with them.
Why Spearfish, SD? We visited the Black Hills a few years ago and liked the area. We returned about two years ago to again look around and get a better sense of the area. After considering a move to Wyoming or Idaho we thought we would again go stay a while in Spearfish, SD and look at homes.
Colorado is a beautiful state and we enjoyed our time there. We have many happy memories of spending time with our wonderful friends, and enjoyed many types of activities in the Rockies. Colorado is where I met my birding mentor and developed my fondness for birding. However, it was becoming much too crowded for our liking. So we were ready to move.
This past July we purchased a home in Spearfish on 4.5 acres with lots of Oak, Pine and Aspen trees. Love them! It is about four miles from downtown Spearfish in an area called Eagle Ridge. There are only 33 homes on this mountain, which makes it so nice. One way in and out.
This area supports Wild Turkeys, White-tailed Deer, and even a Mountain Lion that we captured on camera right out side of our front door. Yikes! It was huge and appeared healthy. I will post vids of the Turkeys, Deer and the Mountain Lion in my next post along with a few of my South Dakota bird friends.
The western vibe of Spearfish with only 12,000 people simply speaks to my heart as Loveland did when we first moved there. If you would like to learn a little more about Spearfish go to the web-site below.
Getting our Colorado home ready to sell was arduous to say the least. Many trips to give items away, take items to the dump and even harder deciding what to keep and pack up. There were times of feeling sad and questioning if this was the right decision. Those thoughts were probably expected and didn’t last too long. We had a great realtor and a great moving company that made the experience better and the house sold in 1.5 days.
One of the couples that viewed our Loveland house wanted to do so around 8:30pm. I believe they wanted the experience of seeing the night view, the city lights of Loveland from the deck. I took this photo before leaving the house so they could take the tour. We turned on all the lights.
We are pretty much settled now in Spearfish and decided not to travel this winter. Since being here we have experienced a warm couple of summer months, a gorgeous fall with all its brilliant colors and currently a beautiful white winter.
~Summer
~Fall
~Winter
My Keeshond, Miss Riley Ann is loving the cold and snow. She wants to be out on the back deck when it is snowing and even when the temperatures are in the single digits. We closely monitor how much time she is out there and only went we are watching her.
And, we are loving the small town atmosphere, and the slower pace of life that comes with a small community. Not that our lives in Colorado were fast paced. 🙂
So, as I said I want to post more and look forward to sharing more of the Black Hills area with you.
I found this quote the other day and thought it fit. Moving decision made and looking forward to going forward.
Wolf Song Blog 
Good morning Sheila…what another beautiful state you have chosen. I remember the WOW factor when visiting Spearfish. But Joe and I are not cold weather people, so it was not on the short list of places for us. However, I so miss the green summers and colorful falls. I am excited that I will be seeing your beautiful photography and birds. Congratulations! Gay
Hello Gay, so wonderful to hear from you. I would like to send my sincere condolences to you and Joe on the loss of Sally. And, to send a cheerful and heartwarming congratulations on bringing Lucy into your lives. What a cutie she is!! I read your blog all the time and when I try to post a reply it doesn’t go through. If you guys travel to SD, let me know. I would love for ya’ll to stop for a visit! Sending hugs!
You new property looks gorgeous.
We have friends in Loveland and they too have a 3 story house. I remember thinking while visiting them, “I wouldn’t want to clean, heat, cool, or go up and down these steps!”
I’m looking forward to seeing the birds and critters you share in future posts. Welcome back!
Thank you Deborah for writing to me, I appreciate it very much. Yes, as we age those stairs can be rough!
I have never lived in or owned a two or more story house always preferring a ranch or single story house as that is what I know. He-Man on the other hand grew up in a two story house with both a basement and attic! Nothing I am familiar with. After visiting his parents and childhood home multiple times I was thankful for my single story upbringing. Man, his parent’s house had super steep stairs to both the basement and upper floor. The basement damp and cold, and the attic was cold and drafty! As his parents aged the stairs really paid a price on their knees and hips, and the basement stairs were just as steep so doing laundry was impossible. They moved their bedroom downstairs then moved out to senior living. I’ve counted my blessing since then for never wanting a two story house or a really big one.
You have eloquently brought us all on your moving journey. It was not easy, but you and Howard made a very well-thought out decision. Enjoy your new home! Lots of love and long distance hugs as we are really MISSING YOU! K&L
And, we are missing you guys so very much. You both are always on my mind and in my heart – love ya’ll so very much! I heard that Beth and Dave are going to pay ya’ll a visit. I know that Lois and Herb are in Lake Louisa.