Lee's B'z

One-week old hive. Wish I knew if this looks healthy. Seeking advice. Stay tuned. http://www.lees.bz/ web site is in the works.

More Great Pics of Children on Grandpa's Farm

Vanessa and Patrick's family dropped by for a visit. We inspected the new crop of baby chicks, collected fresh eggs, fed the chickens, gave peanut-treats to the goats, learned how to strap on a goatpacking saddle, and went for a short hike. Overall, a GREAT chance to get acquainted with new friends.

Goats on Parade

The Black Hills Pack Goats and I are hoping to organize South Dakota's first 4-H Packgoat group. In order to recruit young people to join the group, we agreed to enter the annual Central States Fair kickoff parade. The Black Hills Pack Goats made a fine impression. Hundreds of people smiled big, rubbed their chins and uttered things like, "Hmmm....Goats. Who'da thought. COOL!"

We just hope some folks along the parade route will check us out at the County Extension Office. If you are interested, please contact Ms. Tana Clark at 605-394-2188.

For more about the Black Hills Pack Goats, see http://www.blackhillspackgoats.com/.

Heather's Family DayTrek to Little Elk Creek 'Water Park'

Heather and Greg and their two daughters, all from Illinois, decided to "do something different" for the family summer vacation trip. Boy did they. Heather said, "We all had a blast. We'd like to come back next year."

We hope they do. What a delightful family to get to know better. I hope they do come back, if only to stop in to say Hi to their new lifelong friends Harney, Custer, Sylvan and Sturgis.

(To Heather and Greg's wonderful daughters, a special thanks... You two young ladies are real troopers. Thank you for putting up with the heat, 7 MILES of hot trail, and never knowing quite sure what's around the bend. I really enjoyed getting to know this extra fine family.)

For more information on The Black Hills Pack Goats, please see

1. http://www.over-the-hills.smugmug.com/gallery/5355176_umcnf#327620540_9bAU5

or

2. www.BlackHillsPackGoats.com

For more information please go to http://over-the-hillsadventures.blogspot.com

Goats Debut First Show Business Appearance

This July 4th morning, the Black Hills Pack Goats entered the Piedmont South Dakota International Independence Day Show and Parade. We live just outside Piedmont in the forest suburbs. Piedmont's population is 93 (when everyone is home). Check the photo f Piedmont's intersection.

Notice how the goats reacted to the (I swear) 8 foot high bull, who also had horns. The goats had a real hard time making friendly to another "goat" that big.

Notice, too, that once again the noble Custer positioned himself between his herd and the unknown intruder (that bull!). See too, how Sylvan has again taken up station to mark the escape route, should the situation turn south and ugly.

BTW: The Boyz did great. The parade had volunteer fire dept sirens blaring, motorcycles (Harley's) rumbling, horses bolting, ATV's revving, several dogs, and the chaos of an unrehearsed small-town parade. The Boys were absolutely solid. They got concerned a few moments, but they handled their leads fine. In fact, I eventually daisy-chained them, one behind the other at one point. No problemo.

www.BlackHillsPackGoats.com

Robins Family Catered DayTrek

Late June family adventure in the Black Hills. For more information see www.BlackHillsPackGoats.com.