This week will see another of my favorite days of the year…the first day of the new year that the sun will stay up till 5 pm at our house! The daylight is screaming back now! 😎 (The Black Hills sit between the Trekkers’ house and the western horizon, so we have to wait a little further into the year for this to actually happen.)
Improved SAD symptoms
I’ve mentioned previously that I struggle with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) in the winter months. The past few years, my SAD symptoms haven’t been quite as severe as I’ve experienced in the past. This could be due to several factors:
–We’ve had fairly warm, mild, and sunny winters…
–We’ve learned to leave just a few Christmas lights up inside the house all winter, and we got a gas, fire insert installed. The warm light from these do wonders to improve my mood…
–Due to some other medical stuff I’ve got going on, about a year-and-a-half ago I started a regimen of 10,000 IUs/day of Vitamin D3. To be clear…that’s A LOT! But it’s done more to help minimize my symptoms of depression in the winter than anything else I’ve ever tried…
People talk about taking anti-anxiety medication or low-dose antidepressants and how these meds are miracles that literally seem to change the way they think or view a situation….well, I’m happy if that works for you but I’ve never experienced it. Not until I upped my dosage of Vitamin D. That truly has been a life-changer for me!
–Working from home makes it easier. I think the biggest advantage of working from home is that it allows me the opportunity to see daylight so regularly. Whether it’s sitting inside with the sun streaming in the windows; watching the snowflakes float down on a cold day; or sitting outside on the back patio as the sun bathes me on a warm day; I’m at least able to experience it now. This seems to make all the difference to help ease the symptoms of anxiety and winter depression that I have experienced in the past, and for that, I am incredibly grateful…
More daylight improves mood!
It’s amazing to me how just knowing the days are getting longer raises my spirits. While we have gained almost an hour of daylight in the last 6 weeks since the Winter Solstice, it is still mostly dark by 5:30 at night. There is something about the fact, though, that when I’m standing in the kitchen, preparing dinner, instead of there being complete blackness outside the window, there is–at least a small hint–of light. That really improves my outlook on things!
I still feel the suffocating frustration at how little daylight we have, but since I KNOW it’s going to continue staying lighter, longer, each and every day, and I KNOW that the beginning of spring is now only a few weeks away, this irritation slackens. It also helps that I know our daylight will continue lengthening for the next 6 months! That’s enough to ease the ache considerably!
As our long, dark days wane, I hope anyone else who wrestles with this exasperating condition is finding their struggle is easing, as well. As our sun comes back and our daylight continues to increase in both duration and frequency, let’s all take a lesson from the Beatles, and get out there and make it agood day, sunshine! 😎
Are you enjoying our longer days? Tell me your thoughts in the comments!
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In this post, I discuss my excitement for the shortest day of the year. We have made it to the Winter Solstice!
🎵It’s the most…wonderful…DAY…of the year!!!🎶You might be thinking I’m talking about Christmas, right?…you would be wrong! 😉 Today is the Winter Solstice ya’ll! (…in the Northern Hemisphere.) It is one of my ABSOLUTE, MOST FAVORITE days of the entire year!
You may ask yourself, “Self, why would someone who struggles with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) be happy about the day of the year with the shortest amount of daylight?” That’s simple! Starting tomorrow…THE DAYS START GETTING LONGER AGAIN!!! WHOO HOO!!! WE MADE IT!!! 🌞 We did it! We survived!
Less sunlight in the winter
It never ceases to amaze me, the first of November arrives and the time change hits, and every year it feels like it will be an ETERNITY until the days start getting longer again. But then you slowly plod through the first week…and then the second…and then it’s the week before Thanksgiving (so things are starting to perk up a bit, I always enjoy Thanksgiving!)…and then the Christmas season is in full swing! Between decorating the house, shopping for gifts, and singing carols, who has time to feel down? Then before you know it, the Solstice is here again (and it usually arrives more quickly than I expected!)
The first few weeks of January are always a bit rough, as well. Everybody takes their Christmas lights down, so their twinkling goodness is no longer present to light up those long, dark nights…the joy of the Christmas season is over, and now you’re just stuck with the COLD! 😨 But, at least the days start getting longer by that point…and the first day it’s still reasonably light out at 5 pm, you know you’ve conquered another LONG, DARK season. 💪
The history of the Winter Solstice
December 21…the Winter Solstice (in the Northern Hemisphere)…the longest night of the year. It’s also called “Midwinter” (which seems odd, since winter is just ramping up, and, according to the astronomical calendar, today is only the initial day of the cold season).
Science confirms the Winter Solstice occurs when the sun reaches its most southerly point, directly over the Tropic of Capricorn. This is as opposed to its summer counterpart—the Summer Solstice–which is when the sun reaches its most northerly point and is directly over the Tropic of Cancer. (If you’re living in the Southern Hemisphere, the solstices are, obviously, switched).
Historically, the Iranians called the Winter Solstice “Yalda Night“; the Druids, “Yule“, “Mother Night” and “Alban Arthan” meaning, “The Light of Arthur” (based on the legend of King Arthur). A ceremony commemorating this day is still held at Stonehenge each year.
The ancient Mayans believed in offering blood sacrifices to the sun god to placate him into returning his light to the people. Fortunately, we don’t take things to that extreme these days (though in the darkest days of winter, I may have considered pricking a finger or something. 😝)
The dictionary defines “solstice” as, “a furthest, or culminating point, a turning point.” The word derived from Latin is loosely translated as “the sun stands still”.
Interestingly enough (according to one of my favorite apps) the shortest amount of daylight doesn’t take place only today, it also occurs for several days surrounding the Solstice. This makes sense as the sun’s southward track has to stop and then reverse itself.
I LOVE the Winter Solstice!
Today is, by far, one of my favorite days of the entire year! It may seem strange, for someone who struggles with depression caused by lack of daylight, to be so excited about the day of the year that offers the least light. But that’s why it’s worth celebrating…we’ve made it! We’re no longer toiling to reach the end of a long, dark tunnel (as daylight wanes). Starting tomorrow, we’re basking in the warm glow of the light at the end of that tunnel (as the days will now begin to grow longer).
This is what negotiating a life with anxiety and depression looks like. It’s all about successfully mitigating the symptoms of these disorders by seeking out the small blips of “light”–whatever gives us a sense of peace and happiness–that are always present, even in the darkest moments.
In case you were wondering, yes, I find the Summer Solstice—or the day with the longest amount of daylight—to be a bit depressing. The reason being, after that day we begin our prolonged trek into darkness.
So get out there and enjoy our ever-increasing amounts of daylight! To our friends in the Southern Hemisphere, you have my sympathies today, as you now commence your long slog to “the Shortest Day”…but, we’ve obliged you all long enough, we’re taking our daylight back! It’s our turn to enjoy the light because…
Do you have any feelings regarding the shortest day of the year? Tell me about them in the comments!
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In this post, I discuss the friction among traditions that seems to rear its ugly head this time of year, and our need to get back to what really matters during the holiday season.
Editor’s Note: This post is full of holiday allusions. Gird yourselves, I’m not sorry. 🎅 😇 😉
There are so many different holiday traditions that occur this time of year. I was raised Christian, and in the US, so Christmas is the one I identify with the strongest. Besides this major holiday, some of the other more popular ones are Thanksgiving and Hanukkah, of course. But there is also Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, and some Pagan celebrations, like Yule (the Winter Solstice), among others.
It’s important that we strive to be mindful of all holidays celebrated this season. This time of year I find I’m filled with thoughts of good cheer and well-being toward my fellow man. (I blame all the kum-ba-yah type themes we’re bombarded with in songs and movies that tell us we’re supposed to “keep Christmas with us, all through the year.” 😊).
–There is the Trans-Siberian Orchestra song about the Runaway who makes a wish on an old neon sign–which represents the Christmas Star–because she needs help getting home. Then, an angel–disguised as a kid, who God sent to Earth to search for one sign of decency in humans–goes into a bar and tells the bartender the Runaway is outside and can’t get home (and it’s Christmas Eve). So, this cranky, old bartender takes all the profits he’s made that night and gives the money to the Runaway so she can buy a plane ticket and go home. (And, if anyone can listen to THAT song without getting at least a little teary, your heart may be two sizes too small! 😝)
–Then there is the warmth you feel when you watch old Christmas movies or hear songs about the holidays; the feeling that wakes up the 5-year-old in you who still believes in magic. That’s what this season is supposed to be about!
The holidays cause angst
Unfortunately, even this special time of year causes us angst these days. The season has become so commercialized that I worry we miss the true point of it. People actually cause physical harm to each other to get things! Stupid things, like toys. Not life-saving food or medicine, THINGS that will collect dust in the corner of a kid’s bedroom once the batteries wear out. 😩
It’s hard to remember the true purpose intended by these days in amongst all the parties and concerts; Secret Santas and gift-giving (and buying); and travel/visits from family and friends. That craziness just adds to our already over-hectic, modern lives .
Disrespect towards unfamiliar holidays
We are taught to “love thy neighbor”, but then there is the annual battle about “Merry Christmas” vs. “Happy Holidays”; there are manger scenes vs. menorahs; and, we can’t forget, the 12 Days of Christmas, 8 nights of Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa! Where does the tree and Santa fit into all that? All these traditions are supposed to help bring out the best in us and they just end up causing us more strife.
I tend to gravitate towards saying “Happy Holidays” because it best encompasses all the activities occurring this season (including Thanksgiving!) That is until we get to the week of Christmas. Then I go full bore and EVERYONE gets a “Merry Christmas!” from me. (I even wear a Santa hat that week, and put those cute reindeer antlers on my car…still not sorry! 🤶😉)
A short history of Christmas’ origins
History tells us that the pre-Christian Romans celebrated several high, holy days this time of year. This includes Saturnalia, which honored the god Saturn and another that honored their sun god. Evidently, when they converted to Christianity, some elements of familiar traditions stuck. My point is, if our forebears can figure out how to handle this mash of cultures, traditions, and religions, we should be able to as well.
So, light a menorah (or a kinara); put a star on your tree; compliment your neighbor on his nativity scene; put out some milk and cookies for Santa, and find ways to connect with each other in this “Season of Giving”. Let’s try to keep that spirit of Good Will with us throughout the rest of the year as well, shall we?
To close I ask you, why can’t we put our differences aside this special time of year and all be friends? After all, isn’t that what the holidays are supposed to be about?
Tell me about some of your special holiday traditions in the comments!
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In this post, I discuss my struggle with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and the tools and techniques I use to help control the symptoms.
“Embrace the Darkness…” It sounds like a title for a death metal album, doesn’t it? 😝 During the fall and winter, I struggle with a condition known as SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, (it’s also called “Winter Depression” or the “Winter Blues”). It is believed, by many, to be caused by a lack of sunlight in the more extreme northern (or southern) latitudes during the winter months.
While this disorder is a constant companion to me during the darker times of the year, I try to not let it define my life. It’s something I have to deal with, but that doesn’t mean I have to allow it to have control over me. I want to share my experience with others who may struggle with something similar (it’s very common) and offer some of the tools I’ve garnered to help manage this condition.
What do SAD symptoms feel like?
Day after day, the sun sets a little earlier (and rises a little later); grey clouds begin to move in causing several days in a row without sunshine (the only time of year this is, at all, an expected occurrence in the Black Hills). The temperature cools, the first hints of frost (and occasionally, snow!) greet us as they kiss the grass blades in the morning. The days grow shorter and the trees quieter as the songbirds start to head for warmer climates.
Winter is coming!
I actually like winter–in the Black Hills at least–I enjoy it as much as summer. The cold doesn’t really bother me–as long as it stays above 10 degrees or so–and I actually prefer it over the heat of summer (you can always add more layers if you’re cold, you can’t take your skin off if you get too hot). 😝 I don’t mind the snow–especially since, in the Hills, it usually melts fairly quickly. There’s also plenty of outdoor activities that we can only enjoy on cold, winter days.
What I struggle with is the dark…”a suffocating, dark fog that slowly seeps in, like something out of a Stephen King movie…it makes you feel as though your chest is being compressed and you can’t take a breath…” That’s the best way I can describe how I feel when my SAD kicks into high gear. It makes me feel claustrophobic like the walls are closing in…
Tools to help manage Winter Depression:
Below is a list of techniques and tools I use to help mitigate the worst of my SAD symptoms. Please understand, NONE of these is a cure. They are simply strategies I use to empower myself and exert control over my symptoms:
—Therapy Lamp:There are several versions of this device, but this is the light, therapy lamp I use several months out of the year. These have been documented to help decrease the symptoms of SAD. You have to be careful which ones you buy as they need to provide at least 10,000 lux of light, the minimum wavelength required to stimulate your brain correctly.
Unfortunately, the good ones aren’t cheap. However, when you’re experiencing several dark, cloudy days, I find this helps, significantly. (To read a review I wrote on this lamp, click here.)
—Vitamin D3: There are several different brands and strengths of this supplement available. Many doctors (including my own) believe SAD is, at least partially, caused by Vitamin D3 deficiency. Sunlight is the best source of this nutrient (it is different than regular Vitamin D that is found in foods like milk) and, obviously, there’s less of our warmth-emanating friend in the winter months. (My doctor calls these “sunshine pills”, some also call them “happy pills”. Both are apt descriptors as the vitamin assists in increasing happiness and makes the world seem brighter, like sunshine). 🌞
I’m not a huge fan of medication, but, this supplement replaces the exact thing that is lacking in your body. This treatment, along with the therapy lamp, are what I find to be the most effective. I usually garner the best results if I start taking it early in the fall before the deficiency becomes too great. I usually only need to continue the regime until mid-March. I also find essential oils to be another helpful, alternative remedy.
—Journaling: I journal, A LOT, throughout the year. Sometimes I write pages, other times, just a few paragraphs. I find it helps to get whatever is bouncing around in my head out of there. Then I can relax because it’s been written down! 😉 Sometimes, it also helps me to see the situation I’m stressing about in a more objective light which can make it less anxiety-inducing.
—Staying busy/active: this is a big one. It’s SO EASY to not be as active in the winter months because it’s dark and COLD (it’s also icy, snowy, etc.) You don’t feel like doing anything but curling up under a blanket on the couch. That’s ok, IN MODERATION. Too much of it just feeds into the depression, making it worse and creating a looping cycle. If you are unable to go outside or just can’t bring yourself to face the cold, find ways to stay active around the house or at an indoor gym. Some studies suggest that exercise can be at least as effective as medications in combating the symptoms of depression.
—Coloring: It may sound childish, but I color. That’s right, I’m approaching 40, and I play with a coloring book. 😁 I’m not particularly artistic, but I find coloring is relaxing and meditative as it allows me to think while keeping my hands and eyes busy, something I’ve found helps me to focus (and I’m not the only one).
You know you wish you had a Star Wars coloring book! 😉
—Lots of self-care and patience: Don’t be afraid to take time for yourself when you’re hurting. This time of year can be stressful for many reasons, and the upcoming holidays can, often, exacerbate this. Don’t be afraid to take a little downtime for yourself (again, IN MODERATION. Isolating yourself completely can also further depressive symptoms).
Also, don’t be afraid to talk with trusted people in your life (a therapist, significant other, friends, family, etc.) It’s perfectly acceptable to admit that you’re hurting. Sometimes, just saying the demon’s name takes away some of its power. 👊
—Allow yourself to FEEL the discomfort: This is a hard one for us in today’s day and age. We don’t like to be uncomfortable for any reason or for any length of time, if possible. Often, with the benefits of modern medicine and technology, we can achieve that goal.
Sometimes though, it’s helpful to allow ourselves to feel the *ouch!* factor, a little bit. I find what helps me is to accept the disorder as a part of myself and not to run from the discomfort. It’s something I deal with for several months out of the year, so it isn’t going away. I find trying to run from it only leads to more angst. I get the best results when I allow myself to feel the ache, and then use the coping techniques mentioned above as a balm.
Embrace the darkness of the winter months…
Every year, sometime in February, I seem to come to the same conclusion…the dark isn’t so bad. I’m not sure if it just takes that long to beat my spirit down so that I accept it…😳😉, or if, by then, daylight is slowly starting to increase in length, so the darkness no longer seems so awful? Or, maybe, I just finally habituate to it. 😝
One of my goals for this blog is to encourage others to embrace the small joys in life, especially those found in our daily environment. I want to implement that idea as a tool to limit my SAD symptoms early on, instead of waiting till midwinter. 😁 Our environment surrounds us with numerous examples of these “little things” if we just know where to look:
Enjoy the winter, night sky:
When the wind isn’t howling, winter evenings in the Black Hills can be a delight! Crystal clear skies *crackle* with the sparkling pinpoints of the millions of stars scattered across them. Shortly after sunset, the sky turns an incredible shade of indigo blue with a hue that is so beautiful it’s difficult to describe.
I only notice it in the colder months. This could be because I’m not usually outside at that time of day in the summer months, as the sun sets so much later. It could also be that the sky is only that crystal clear in the winter, as it’s finally free from haze and the smoke from wildfires in surrounding areas. It does seem that this time of year is the only time the evening sky shows the beauty of which it is truly capable.
Appreciate the quiet neighborhood:
I love the quiet of the neighborhood as we walk the dog in the evenings (remember to exercise!) That time of day is so peaceful, once people have finished rushing home after a long day at work and only the neighborhood deer–and an occasional dog barking behind a nearby fence–accompany us.
Noises sound different in the crisp, winter air. They carry almost a *twang* as they reach your ears. The air smells different too, as it silently bites at your nostrils with every frozen breath you take. You can almost taste the metallic smell of snow and frost. This is also the only time of year you can hear the rustle of downed leaves underfoot. 😁
Embrace the holidays!
Whoever planned the holidays to coincide with the darkest time of the year in the Northern Hemisphere was a genius! 😁 People in our neighborhood like to decorate their homes during these seasons (maybe they all just hate the dark as much as I do). 😉 From the first of October through the middle of January, light-up ghosts, pumpkins, reindeer, and nativity scenes decorate porches and yards, which definitely help put a damper on dark thoughts. 🎅
Enjoy idyllic scenes:
When you look out across your neighborhood on cold mornings and see steam and smoke rising from furnace pipes and chimneys, it’s like a scene from a children’s, picture book or a Norman Rockwell painting.
–I also like it when a jet from the local Air Force base flies over at extremely low altitude with afterburners blazing! (Ok, this one isn’t so tranquil, but it is pretty cool! 😳😁)
To Conclude
For anyone who struggles with the frustrating condition that is SAD, I hope you are able to find unique, comforting things in your own life that bring you joy. Winter comes every year so, we may as well find a way to embrace the darkness!
Do you struggle with SAD? If so, tell me about it in the comments!
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In this post, I review the Chapel in the Hills, located in Rapid City.
Unlike most of the places I write about, Chapel in the Hills is unique because it is hidden within the limits of Rapid City. This makes it easy to access, even if it is a bit difficult to locate. 😁 As you pull into the parking lot, the Chapel commands your view as it appears, positioned against the hill, dominating over the surrounding landscape.
Where in Rapid City is the Chapel in the Hills?
To reach the Chapel in the Hills, take Route 44/Jackson Boulevard west, out of Rapid City, and then take the first left, past Canyon Lake Park, for Chapel Lane. Stay on Chapel Lane until you reach the gate. There are a few jogs in the route and several roads branch off, so be watchful (there are signs, though a few are small). The chapel is located about 1.5 miles from Canyon Lake Park.
As an aside, if you’ve never visited Canyon Lake Park, I recommend it. It’s a perfect place for a picnic, to walk your dog, or take a jog, and at night, the path is illuminated with lovely, subdued lighting. Just be wary of the MANY geese and their “leavings”, especially on the island in the middle of the lake. 😝
The drive to the chapel traverses a lovely, tree-lined, residential area complete with the 1960s architectural style that is common to the west side of Rapid City. I’m regularly, pleasantly surprised by the picturesque, residential areas around town; not to mention the spectacular views of the surrounding countryside that they bestow–in this case, views of the Black Hills.
What makes the Chapel in the Hills unique?
The campus is cool! The chapel, an ELCA Lutheran church, is modeled after a Norwegian stave church (the Borgund stavkirke, of Laerdal, Norway, to be exact, that was built in the 12th Century), in honor of the Norwegian Lutherans that settled the area. There is also a small visitor’s center that dons a traditional, grass roof that was built in Norway and shipped to Rapid City. The site also sports a small museum showcasing what life would have been like for the church’s parishioners at the time it was built.
The traditional grass roof of the Visitor Center
Weddings are held here and evening vespers occur, nightly, during the summer months. You can visit the websitehere. There is no cost to tour the site, though donations are appreciated.
The architecture of this building is incredible! Intricate wood carvings adorn the walls of the church, both outside and in, and the russet-colored wood contrasts with the vibrant green of the surrounding lawns, the azure blue of the sky, and the sun-dappled trees of the forest backdrop. Flowers of various types colorfully frame the chapel and dot the beds that encircle it while butterflies flit about and bees sip the nectar from the Russian sage flowers. The musty aroma of old wood tickles your nose, while bird chatter surrounds you; the gentle breeze sighs through the boughs of the trees and dry leaves crackle as they are swept past.
The front entrance to the ChapelThe ceiling of the Chapel
A short, peaceful, meditation/prayer path, complete with small, marble statues, traverses a ravine where towering slopes frame three of its sides in the forest behind the structure. I LOVE this place! It is so beautiful and peaceful! It makes for a perfect location to meditate, pray, or just relax. For someone who is spiritual but also delights in nature, it makes for the perfect fusion between the two. It’s an incredibly tranquil, mystical experience. Here, my soul is at peace!
The prayer/meditation path
More pics of the Chapel in the Hills are below:
The Chapel’s commanding front doorIntricate carvings on one of the Chapel’s pillarsThe Chapel altarMy parents, appreciating the interior of the ChapelA bell tower
If you’re looking for a unique, family activity, close to Rapid City, check this location out, I know I’ll be returning!
Have you ever visited the Chapel in the Hills? What did you think? Tell me about it in the comments!
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In this post, I discuss an article that examines nature as a therapeutic tool.
I’m going to try something new with this post. I’m going to wax philosophical. 😛 (You have been warned!) 😉
I read an article recently called, “Suffering From Nature Deficit Disorder? Try Forest Bathing”. It spoke to the whole reason I enjoy being out in Nature and why I write this blog, so I thought I’d expound on my thoughts on it (if you’re interested in reading the article, you can do so here.)
The majority of people live in cities
The article cites a recent UN report that states the population of our planet is trending towards urban areas.
As someone who lives in one of the least populated states in the country, this is fine by me. It means the secluded places we frequent will remain quiet!) 😉
The reasons the article gives for this trend are that urban areas have more jobs, more cultural opportunities, more choices for activities, and more services in general.
The study also found that due to this trend, the average American spends close to 90% of their lives indoors (which sounds absolutely horrid to me, but I digress). As many buildings are climate-controlled, this means we’re ingesting a large amount of stale, processed air. (No wonder I gave up cubicle life!)
The practice of Forest Bathing
The article goes on to describe an ancient tradition for reducing depression and anxiety in Japan called “Forest Bathing”. This basically means immersing oneself in trees and other greenery for extended periods of time which allows us to get back in touch with our evolutionary roots.
I practice this “natural therapy” regularly. I suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder, also called Winter Depression). This means I get depression caused by the lack of sunlight and, consequently, Vitamin D3 deprivation, brought about by the short, winter days that are part of life in the Northern Plains.
The disorder began to manifest itself for me when we moved to the Black Hills. Here, the need for daylight during the winter season is at a premium. The only thing that eases this strain for me, during those dark, winter months, is Vitamin D3 supplements and enjoying Nature (and the sun) as much as possible. Fortunately, we do not suffer a shortage of sunny days here in western South Dakota. Leaving an office job behind helped with this, as well!
I’ve mentioned before that I also struggle with anxiety. I am amazed at how my symptoms are relieved just by going for a walk in the woods–the musky smell of damp earth; the “crunch” of fallen leaves under my feet with every step I take; the warmth of the sun on my skin; the breeze that caresses my face; the quiet roar of snowflakes slowly cascading down around me–all assist in relaxing muscles I hadn’t even realized were tense, to begin with! It doesn’t hurt that therapy provided by Nature also happens to be completely free!
Forest bathing helps us connect with Nature on a spiritual level
These physical sensations allow us to connect with Nature on an instinctual, almost primal level. It’s as though our very Beings crave this connection with our most basic beginnings.
This makes perfect sense. Humans lived as a part of Nature for millennia; our current fabricated surroundings only being present for a very recent part of our past. Evolution hasn’t quite caught up to the norms of Modern Civilization yet (personally, I hope it never does).
For me, this therapy-through-Nature has a spiritual element, figuratively speaking. It is something that can be experienced by both people of faith and those without, and both can benefit from it.
Personally, I am spiritual but I am also a very kinesthetic person, so I learn by experiencing things. This experience, this communion with Nature brought about by physically interacting with it, allows me to appreciate the Creation, and through that to form a lasting bond with and respect for the Creator.
I write this blog because I want to help others find the same peace in Nature that I have discovered. So, if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed with the stress and fatigue of everyday life, perhaps a walk in the woods would benefit you!
Your mission for the week (if you should choose to accept it 😉) is to get out and enjoy nature a little bit. See if the experience is therapeutic for you too!
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In this post, I discuss a lovely place to enjoy paddle sports in the Black Hills, Jenny Gulch, part of Pactola Reservoir.
What’s a good way to enjoy the Great Outdoors on a hot day? Get up early to go canoeing before it gets too warm (and busy) of course!
Canoeing at Jenny Gulch on Pactola Lake
One of the Trekkers’ favorite places to take our canoe in the Black Hills is Jenny Gulch (the correct spelling is apparently “Jenney”).
This, along with Deerfield Lake, is one of the best options for paddle sports in the Black Hills, in my opinion.
This portion of the lake is a finger that branches off of the main body of water. It traverses a narrow gulch (hence the name 😉) so it is MUCH quieter than the main lake. It is a great spot for fishing, paddleboarding, canoeing or kayaking, swimming, and cliff jumping. Motorized boats are allowed but the majority of the area is “no wake” (unfortunately not all the motorboat captains choose to abide by this 😡).
For me personally, I enjoy canoeing. Kayaking is fun and can sometimes get you where a canoe can’t (as kayaks sit higher on the water) but you’re solely responsible for the control of the craft. In canoeing, you have a partner to help you. This is especially nice when your partner favors the back seat and does all the steering! 😇 Also, canoeing is a wonderful relationship-building activity. My uncle once told me, “Want to see if your relationship is meant for marriage? Go canoeing together!” (I also recommend tent camping in a severe thunderstorm/deluge of rain and home-maintenance projects. 😁)
Where is Jenny Gulch?
Jenney Gulch is located a short, 30-minute drive from Rapid City on the northwest portion of Pactola Lake. Take Highway 385 north from either Highway 44 or Sheridan Lake Road and turn left at Silver City Road. After about 3 – 4 miles turn left at the Jenney Gulch Lake/Fishing Access sign.
Before reaching this sign there’s another sign on the right for Jenney Gulch Rd., DON’Tturn there. This takes you north into the hills, which we explored on another adventure. This is a bit confusing though they have improved the signage in recent years.)
If you reach Silver City, you’ve gone too far.
What you’ll see at Jenny Gulch
What’s so great about Jenney Gulch? The short answer is…EVERYTHING! For one thing, you can’t think of the name without hearing Forest Gump’s voice in your head calling it, “Jen-ay”! (or maybe that’s just me? 🤔) Beyond that, it’s a beautiful, narrow canyon with pine-covered walls that tower far above you.
Several channels and coves branch off the main gulch with calm waters that are a joy to explore. Unlike the rest of the lake, there’s little-to-no road noise and lighter human activity here so you’re free to enjoy the abundance of wildlife that surrounds you: the beaver gliding effortlessly below the canoe; the geese swimming with their fuzzball goslings that paddle obediently in their parents’ wake; the flash of the fish darting just under the surface; the graceful swoop of the heron’s neck as it takes off into the sky; the “plop” of the turtles as they slide into the water from the log where they’ve been sunning themselves.
You hear a cacophony of birdsong–the rat-a-tat-tat staccato beat of the woodpecker; the trill of the Redwing Blackbird; the screech of the Osprey calling to its mate–as you watch the vultures soaring high overhead. You may even get to see (and hear) a beaver *THWACK!* its tail on the water to warn other beavers of your presence before it dives underwater, back to safety.
This area is my favorite part of Pactola Lake. It’s beautiful, serene, and offers activities the whole family can enjoy. It’s also close enough to Rapid City that you can easily make a day (or a morning) out of it. I feel so blessed to live in a place that offers such amazing opportunities.
Have you ever been to Jenney Gulch? What did you think? Tell me about it in the comments!
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