DAY ONE

Thursday, July 11, 2024

Welcome to the Holy Trinity Carmel 2024 Mission Trip blog. I am excited to share this experience and journey with all of you!

Our day starts off at the Indianapolis airport at 5:30 in the morning. Just a few short flights later, our group arrives in Rapid City, South Dakota just in time for some lunch. We are met by Father Joseph, as we gather our bags and settle into the dry South Dakota heat. Tired and hungry from travel we start our journey with food in mind. Father introduces us to a spot just up the road called Pizza Ranch. Something unknown to us Indiana locals. After a healthy fill of pizza and chicken we continue our journey to St. John the Theologian Orthodox Church just down the road. We pull up to a white rectangular building and promptly begin organizing supplies, books, and getting a first look at the walls that need painted, furniture that needs to be moved, and other various projects throughout the church.

We then head to our Bed and Breakfast to reset, unload our luggage, and get ready for our evening activities. Upon arrival we claim our beds and also discover we now have access to a trampoline in the backyard. Which will be put to good use in the coming days. But for now we head to our next stop: Deadwood.

After 45 minutes of driving through mountains and scenic roads we arrive to the historic city of Deadwood. The brick streets are lined with visitors waiting for a shoot out to take place in the middle of the road. Actors dressed as Wild Bill Hickok and other town folks play out scenarios from way back when Deadwood was first born. The loud shots woke us all up a little as we walked by casinos and started exploring local shops. We grabbed some refreshing beverages at Main Street Espresso and then head into Scott Jacobs Art Gallery. He is definitely worth a quick google search, his paintings are very detailed, vibrant and eye catching.

We enjoy the mountains towering around us we continue our walk around town popping into stores and exploring the streets. It eventually turns into dinner time and Father introduced us to FLYT Steakhouse. We enjoy our meal and some cold water before heading back towards our Bed and Breakfast. But just before arriving a few of us decided to head to the store and stock up on some food and drinks for breakfast before heading back.

We settle in for the evening, decompress and promptly head to bed after a long first day in South Dakota. Tomorrow the work begins!

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DAY TWO