You have probably sung (or at least heard sung) the song “Home on the Range.”  But have you ever wondered where it is that the buffalo roam and the deer and the antelope play?  Dave and Jan have enjoyed seeing them all in the states of South Dakota and Wyoming.  On their recent vacation trip they enjoyed seeing some of each – along with other animals not named in the song “Home on the Range.”  Driving south of the Tetons they saw some impressive specimens of Buffalo.

One of the things Dave and Jan enjoy doing is seeing wildlife during their camping and hiking experiences.  This year was particularly interesting in that respect during the time they spent with Andrew and Alissa and family at the cabin in Wyoming’s Big Horn National Forest.  Deer sightings were a frequent experience without leaving the cabin.  Dave watched this young doe foraging in the field directly in front of the cabin.

Just a short drive along the main road to the cabin there were many animals to be seen.

We even got a good look at Bambi – or one of his close relatives anyhow.

Also in the area there were antelope for the deer to play with.

There were herds of elk grazing on the hillsides during our evening drives.

And the family especially enjoyed seeing the moose grazing along the stream.

True to the song, as we enjoyed our temporary “home on the range,” seldom was heard a discouraging word.  It was a special treat to see so many of our animal neighbors while we were enjoying time with our “kids” and our grandchildren.

The main purpose of Dave and Jan’s recent vacation trip to South Dakota and other locations far from home in Brea was to spend time with their family – specifically son-in-law Dr. Andrew Crandall (congratulations on the doctorate!), daughter Alissa, and four grandsons who live in South Dakota (far from Brea).  It had been a year since they were last together, shortly after the birth of Ephraim, so there had been some significant growth.  Ephraim, for example, is no longer a little baby!

It was fun once again to see these dear youngsters have fun at play – and even pose for a picture (left to right:  Ephraim – one; Silas – two; Levi – six; and Elijah – four).

Levi was always eager for another ride on the ATVs at the Wyoming cabin.

Among many things to do at Rimrock Camp there were scooter boards – like the one Elijah was enjoying when this picture was taken.

Elijah also got in on some playing by father Andrew – on his small guitar.

And “Annie Oakley” (aka Alissa) got in on the fun with the cabin’s BB gun!

Elijah, Levi and Silas enjoyed playing with art supplies as they created their own personalized bookmarks with Grandma Jan.

And Levi and Elijah also enjoyed some spelunking with Grandma Jan.

The trip was very enjoyable as a time of family fun.  Dave and Jan look forward to the next time they can connect across the miles with their “dear” South Dakota family.

After Dave and Jan enjoyed a reunion with Andrew, Alissa and their four sons (Levi, Elijah, Silas and Ephraim) at the family camp held in the Black Hills just west of Rapid City, South Dakota (Rimrock Camp), the family drove on west to spend a few more days together at a “cabin” in Wyoming’s Big Horn National Forest.  Andrew routed us through scenic Black Hills forest roads by way of Roughlock Falls in a beautiful forested canyon in South Dakota.

Alissa had connected with the Shaffer family who own the “cabin” to which we were headed, making it available for the enjoyment of ministry families.  Leaving highway 16 we drove south around six or eight miles on a paved road, another half to three-quarters of a mile on a dirt road, then left around a mile on a smaller dirt road, then left again through a gate in the barbed wire fence and another half mile or so on a rutted dirt road to the “cabin.”  What a pleasant surprise!

Though it was in a remote location (electricity provided by a gas-powered generator, and water from a well), the “cabin” was anything but primitive.  It was clearly constructed by master-builders, with beautiful furnishings and fixtures and decorations.

There was lots of time for relaxation and recreation and exploration of the 84 acres which belong to the Shaffers.

We enjoyed day trips to nearby points of interest – like the James T. Saban fire lookout . . .

. . . and Sheep Mountain . . .

. . . and Crazy Woman Creek . . .

. . . and there was more!  Much more!!  But, as you can probably tell, it was a beautiful week with the family.

Many thanks to Alissa and family for making the arrangements and sharing their time with us, to the Shaffers for sharing their amazing “cabin” and all of its amenities with us, and to the Lord for creating such beautiful places for our enjoyment and our discovery of more of His greatness in the Big Horn National Forest of Wyoming!

Not having seen Andrew and Alissa’s family in South Dakota since the birth of Ephraim in June of 2016, Dave and Jan looked forward to a “family reunion” with the Crandalls in mid-July, beginning in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  After several days on the road, camping along the way in their tent-trailer, the family got together at a “family camp” at Camp Rimrock just west of Rapid City.  Left to right – Silas with Alissa; Elijah; Andrew with Ephraim; Levi; Dave and Jan.

Family camp included morning vesper service activities for those attending.  Son-in-law Pastor Andrew shared a lesson directed specifically at the children attending at one of the camp’s fireside settings.

Meals were prepared by an excellent chef in the camp kitchen and served either in the dining room or at picnic tables outdoors in front of the lodge.

Afternoons included a quiet hour following lunch, then free time for families to enjoy the camp grounds – including tubing on the beautiful stream which flows through the campground.

Even baby Ephraim enjoyed the water – in a kiddie pool someone brought to camp for the little ones.

There were some fun family games to play during the cooler morning hours on a forested hillside.  Andrew and Alissa worked at getting their family balanced on a small wooden platform placed on top of a log.

“Grandma Jan” joined the Crandalls in a time of close family fellowship on a much smaller wooden platform!

Elijah and Levi demonstrated their skill at hanging spoons on their noses during an evening “talent night.”

Dave and Jan pitched their tent-trailer next door to the Crandalls’ cabin for overnight accommodations.

Family camp was a fun time of family togetherness at Camp Rimrock – a camp which has served the needs of our family on several occasions now in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota.  And the fun wasn’t over with the end of camp – because Alissa arranged for further family fun in an amazing “cabin” in the Big Horn National Forest of Wyoming.  So stay tuned for more . . .