Holes, Hogs and Hops

We just keep finding more great stories about South Dakota. Another three episodes (Epiosdes 13-15) of the Travel South Dakota Stories podcast series was launched last week. The new epiosdes include visiting the world’s third longest cave system, heading to the Black Hills for some seriously narrow cave crawling, jumping on the back of a Harley at the world’s biggest motorcycle rally in Sturgis and picking hops to make some beer.

A Life Underground

Episode 15

South Dakota is a haven for underground adventures, with more than 100 known caves and counting. Two standouts are Jewel Cave National Monument, the world’s third-longest cave, with miles of tunnels still unexplored, and Wind Cave National Park, famed for its labyrinthine chambers and cultural significance as a sacred site for the Lakota. In this episode, I journeys beneath the Black Hills for hands-on spelunking into the depths of Jewel Cave. Listen to the stories of pioneer explorer Chris Pelczarski as the team crawls through narrow passages where time stands still. Then head to Wind Cave National Park, where park ranger Sina Bear Eagle shares the Lakota Emergence Story and its deep spiritual meaning. LISTEN HERE

Hog Heaven in Sturgis

Episode 13

Motorcyclists can't stay away from the Black Hills, returning year after year to cruise the one-of-a-kind byway drives like those found in the South Dakota Scenic Drives Guide. But there's one time of year when things get truly revved up. Every August, hundreds of thousands of riders hit the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the biggest two-wheeled party in the world. Set in the stunning Black Hills, it’s a spectacle filled with roaring motorcycles performing stunts and burnouts, live rock, metal and country concerts, custom bikes and communal camaraderie. Join me as I take in the sights and music of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip, ride Main Street on a Fat Boy Harley-Davidson, meets a 100-year-old rider, and hit the road out to Bear Butte State Park to learn about its spiritual significance to the Lakota people.

LISTEN HERE

A Taste of Farm Life

Episode 14

In South Dakota, deep agricultural roots mean visitors have plenty of chances for a true hands-on experience, from exploring vineyards to see how wine is made to meeting farm animals like Oreo the cow and learning how to make cheese. When you participate in agritourism, you’re tapping into a way of life that few visitors see while also learning the origins of your favorite food and drink. Join me as I take a stroll through a hops farm, help brew some beer, and make cheese with some friendly emus. Along the way, I learn about family farming legacies, hands‑on food and drink production, the creative process behind experimental craft beers, and the sensory joy of tasting locally grown ingredients. LISTEN HERE