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.