More adventures from last weekend

The weather was delightful last weekend, and we got out to check out one of the park trails in town.

It runs from the Capital area to one of the newer housing developments

As you can see, we really don't have that much snow on the ground. We did get some last week, but it's melted again. So far this is not the barren winter wasteland that everyone's been warning us about!

Obligatory Canada Geese shot, only this time I got them in flight!

I think this place will be pretty cool once spring arrives. I'm looking forward to seeing the prairie wildflowers that people keep telling me about.

Here's the view from the last hill. There's a small bridge over the pond and the path is paved. It's a really nice trail and I'm looking forward to dusting off my bike and trying it out on some of the flat stretches.

Another shot of the hills. This park is up in the river bluffs.

The library

We successfully obtained library cards! The card application required the name and address of a local who didn't live in our apartment, so I put down my office address and phone number. I thought this was a strange requirement and was especially awkward for us since we're new in town. Has anyone else run into this in other parts of the country?

I kind of love how the library uses barcodes and the more retro due date card taped to the inside of each book. The next time I'm there I should check the copies of 'Twilight' to see how many times they've been checked out. Or not. It might be depressing.

This was supposed to be Bird Week

There was a front page article in The Capital Journal earlier this week about a Bald Eagle presentation today. We made plans to go, and headed out this morning for the hotel/conference center. There were no Bald Eagles, but I did get cupcakes from what is probably the only fancy bakery in town.

Pretend that this is a picture of our majestic national bird.

Had we read the paper yesterday, we would have noticed the article about how the group bringing the Bald Eagles from Minnesota was snowed in, so the presentation was cancelled. Instead, we went anyway expecting birds of prey and ended up experiencing the area's home show which consisted mainly of RVs, competing Girl Scout cookie tables, a dancing penguin, and representatives from every pyramid-scheme home-sales business in the tri-county area. At least I got cupcakes.

Prairie Chickens!

They do exist! Well, this pair is hanging out with Fish & Wildlife Services, but I did find out where I can go to see them for real. Everyone was a little bit confused about why I was so excited to see a taxidermied pair of birds.

Doing our part to improve the Google map of Pierre

Getting a driver's license is a process. Here's how to make it happen in Pierre:

Step 1: Locate two pieces of mail with your new address, the appropriate identifying documents, and your checkbook.

Step 2: Look up the address for the DMV. Note that it is only open 2 days out of the week.

Step 3: Drive to the alleged location of said DMV. Do at least 2 u-turns and loop the block before you find it. Here is a handy map in case you need to find it too:

DMV location is circled. Arrows indicate single-lane alleys that usually go through the parking area of another business that you can use to access the parking area.

Step 4: Park. If you're lucky enough to find a spot.

Step 5: Enter. Fill out the application form. Wait 45 minutes. There are only 2 clerks, but I must say, they were the friendliest DMV clerks I've ever encountered.

Step 6: To pass the time, people watch. While we were waiting for our turn, there was a guy at the counter getting his new SD license. He decided that this would be a great time to change his signature, and by 'change his signature' I mean he drew a lizard/dragon thing on the signature pad and thought that would be good. It wasn't. Hilarity ensued.

Step 7: Your number is called! Approach the counter and when the clerk sees that you too are getting a new license from out of state, assure her that you are not going to draw a dragon on the signature pad.

Step 8: Your husband is being helped by Clerk #2, who comments on how interesting it is that there's another person from PA getting a new license. Casually mention that he is, indeed, your husband, so it's not too surprising.

Step 9: Congratulations! You now have a SD license with an appropriate signature!

Close up of the Missouri River

Yesterday, Josh and I took advantage of the sunny, warm weather to see the Missouri River from Steamboat Park and La Framboise Island Park.

I think this is looking south from the crossing to La Framboise Island.

There's a really nice boardwalk set up and there were actually quite a few people out fishing from it. I don't know what type of fish they were hoping to catch.

Looking north at the bridge that connects Pierre and Fort Pierre. You can also see how low the water is.  We were standing at the top of the boat launch and you're not going to get anything bigger than a canoe in the water right now.

Naked trees on the island. The island is probably the largest area of forest in Pierre and it'll be really nice to see once the trees leaf out.

This is a rogue colony of Canada Geese. There are factions that break off from the capitol lake and cavort around town. Sometimes this group invades the parking lot of my office building.

The Capitol Building.

Pictures from around town

Josh with one of the many creepily life-sized bronze statues that lurk on street corners in town. I'm slowly collecting picture of all of them. They'll get their own post eventually.

Historic Pierre Street. This is where the awesome bagel place is located. We're practically regulars.

The local humane society is right on Pierre Street. The window display is adorable (it's full of cats lounging about waiting to be adopted).

I just loved the one window with 'Lawyers' painted on it.

Looking down Pierre Street. There's not a lot of traffic.

The only movie theater. 3 screens and they still use real projectors. None of that fancy-schmancy digital crap.

Awesome stained glass on the old hotel.