Reflecting...

 

Nothing to do with a mirror, a window, or the sky in a lake.  Our time here in the Black Hills is getting short, and I find myself reflecting about what brings me back here.  Of course, it is some truly fine riding, and I have been able to get plenty of that in this season.

But, it is also having our motorhome at Hart Ranch that works for me.  Due to getting home to complete our packing process for the move to Arizona, we'll spend a few weeks less here this year.  I'll admit that the motorhome can start to feel pretty snug after a couple months in it while being in one place.  Yes, there are the "moves" each 21 and 9 day cycle, but it isn't the same as being on a road trip.

I like Hart Ranch.  We have been members here for over 30 years.  Things have changed here over time, but it is still the RV resort that I measure all others by.  It's a great facility: good management and staff (everything is kept up), lots of activities if that is your thing, but it is the great RV sites that I appreciate the most.  The sites in the main part of the resort are double-width paved... I like parking on a paved site.  There is a nice grassy area between each site.  And unlike most RV parks, it isn't just row after row of sites... oh, there are over 500 sites here, and you do have a neighbor on each side of you, but the rows aren't crammed together.  There is a large grassy "common area" between each row of sites.  Stepping out behind our motorhome, this is one area where Rufus likes to walk...

 

There is 50/30/15 amp power at each site.  Good cable TV.  Smartly laid out water and sewer connections.

For activities, there is a very nice pool, kiddie pool, and 3 hot tubs; tennis, basketball, and pickleball courts.  A sand volley ball court.  Miniature golf.  Two off-leash dog parks.  An on-site restaurant, snack bar, and convenience store (including gas station).  A mail room.  A kids' activity center.  Golf cart and bicycle rentals.  Entertainment.  Huge storage lot, and they will move your stored RV onto a site for you and put it away (for a fee) so you don't have to have a big truck if your 5th wheel or travel trailer is just used here (and lots are).  If you aren't an RVer, there are various size cabins that can be rented (depending on your membership).

It is a membership resort, but you can do an introductory stay for two nights (for a cost) which requires you take a tour of the facilities.

I mentioned that it has changed since we first bought a membership in the early 90s.  The resort has always been open year 'round, but with just a few sites available in the winter.  When we joined, there was one couple who belonged to our Bounder group that stayed here all year... I couldn't imagine staying in an RV during the potentially harsh South Dakota winters, but they made it work, and told us how much money they saved vs having a house (they were still working at the time).  That was certainly not the norm.

In the last decade, there are more and more people who live full-time in their RV, and Hart Ranch has made accommodations for them.  They don't have to move every 21/9 days after mid-October; they can have a large propane tank on their site.  I would estimate that there are between 80 and 100 couples/families who are here full-time.  While they are living in an RV, I don't consider them to be my definition of "RVers"... that would be people who travel full-time in their RVs.  That is not meant to be anything derogatory about those living in an RV - it is a choice, and I support their right to make that choice.  In South Dakota, you don't pay property tax on an RV.  An RV is almost always less of an investment than a typical home.  There are trade-offs... and the big one is that most RVs aren't designed for full-time living.  But, it is good that Hart Ranch makes it easier for people to do that here.

When we lived in Spearfish, Hart Ranch was a wonderful weekend getaway for us.  If we were lucky, we got to stay here about 8 nights per month.  Since retiring, we would stay here when passing through the area.  And now, since 2018, Hart Ranch has been our summer getaway.  It is the perfect place to base ourselves and have all this great motorcycling opportunities right outside the front gate of the resort.

Will that change when we move to Arizona?  I can't say for certain.  Joan thinks we won't be back next summer; I'm not so sure.  It is actually 400 miles closer to Hart Ranch from our new home in Arizona than from our place in Texas.  But, I am reminded that there are other getaway opportunities closer, starting from Phoenix.  California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado.  We'll see how that plays out.

For sure, there will be some big changes ahead.  But, we'll enjoy the time we have left here this season.

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After taking Ruf for a walk, getting in a bicycle ride (before it gets too hot), then another kitty walk, I fired up the griddle... time for a late breakfast (brunch?).

That's the 17" Blackstone electric griddle - it works good for the two of us.  Bacon, sausage, diced potatoes, and eggs... that'll hold us 'till lupper.  ;-)