somebody here is getting paid by the Rapid City public relations department. If there is any more talk of buffalo steaks and rhubarb pies - I swear I am gonna buy some plane tickets to South Dakota this week !!!!!

Pete2

If you do buy those tickets, you should learn to speak South Dakotan so you can speak with the natives, especially the SDB's. How do you pronounce the name of the capital city, Pierre?

well Geezer-In-Chief.
Let me expose my copious ignorance on such important matters.
How DO they say "Pierre" in SD?

[I'm kinda frightened to hear the response to this :-) ].

Pete2

Hahaha. Well, either we're pronouncing it wrong or the rest of the world is.

Looking at the word, you might follow the traditional French - "Pee-air." That would be wrong. The True SD says "Pier," so use that pronunciation lest you be branded a dweeb tourist.

Yeah, like the object you'd fish off of. Pronouncing it the other way would get you branded as a city slicker or one of them Eastern libruls! Here in flyover country no one pronounces it the French way.

One thing we haven't discussed yet is the nice people you will find in SD. Here's an example. One day at The mammoth Site, I went for a ride with my boss in his recently refurbished 1969 Jeep. With the city of Hot Springs, and close to TMS, we had a problem with the clutch linkage and pulled over to the side of the road. Within five minutes, three separate strangers stopped and asked if we needed any help.

Try that in most places in SoCal, and you will create the mother of all sig alerts. Maybe one car can stop, but everyone else should just keep on going, and maybe use their cell phones. Perhaps its the fundamental difference between urban and rural situations. Arizona ranchers, in my experience, are pretty helpful, as well.

Now, if I like SD so much (and I do), why don't I pull up stakes and move there? SoCal has its attractions, and frankly, I am at an age where I am grateful to be living, never mind where..

BTW, I have never cared for the term "Fly over country." SD is more like "fly to" country. You will have a great time there.

Phaedrus, one last question....Since you live, work, and cook in South Dakota (especially in Sioux Falls!) does that make you a Sioux chef?

Inquiring minds want to know........

Good one hikermor! Your puns are cookin' today!