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Willpower

Tap

Well-known member
Some of the toughest country to ranch in here in SD lies to our south, between here and Belle Fourche. There are not many ranches that run cattle year round, no well water to speak of except in scattered areas, and the power and phone is a long ways off. Some folks from a state east of here bought a small chunk of ground about 1-2 miles off the hiway. This is a pure gumbo country, and almost impassible to drive on when it is wet. Anyway, these folks set up shop, and they use a generator for power, and I imagine a cell phone, if they have service out there. Since today was rainy, and they have no graveled road (or any road), the young kid they have in school was absent. At least I am guessing that was the reason. It is around 12 miles to the nearest bus, and another 20 miles or so further to school.

I am wondering if this is getting more common in other areas, and what these people do to make a living? That outfit sure looked out of place as I drove home in the rain this evening.
 

Faster horses

Well-known member
They had an article on this in the Buffalo (Wyoming) Bulletin a few years ago. Seems like they called these type of folks, "Lone Eagles", if I remember correctly.

They can do their business with a computer out of their home.

Whoops, I re-read your post, Tap, they don't have a land line for
phone service, (i.e. internet.)

Where are they from? Perhaps they sold a house somewhere for a lot
of money and figured on trying to make it on the prairie.

I heard an interesting story from some friends here who went to a lake in SD over Labor Day. They stayed at a motel that a fellow from New York
had bought over the internet after 9-11. The place was a wreck, the old boy spoke very broken English. It sounded as if he was heading back to New York as he could not pay for the motel and did not have any idea
how to run it anyway. He said he was giving it back to the bank. Paid like $270,000 for the run down motel.

Strange things happen these days, do they not?
 

MsSage

Well-known member
You dont need a land line for internet. There are wire cards that use cell service then there are satelights which are faster than land line but not as fast as dsl.
Most people have worked for 20 years and made tons of money in the city and want to get away. They dont want to raise thier children in the city..too much crime,smog, decay,cost of living.
 

the_jersey_lilly_2000

Well-known member
Well whoever they are I hope they make it. I hope they have the will power to stick it out and live there. Could be they are wantin a better life for their family, could be they were down and out and had no where else to turn, either way, it's worth it if it's what they want. Ever thought about introducin yourself? They may be there because they wanted away from the rat race, but they could be some great neighbors if you got to know them.
Remember how reading about some of the pioneer family's that settled this country were so hungry for company (especially the women) that they would run out to meet even strangers some times and talk their ear off.
 
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