Event slated for Saturday, April 23 at Sweet Grass in Wessington Springs
A book signing and review by local man and author, Jim Schmidt, of Huron, will be held at Sweet Grass this Saturday, April 23 at 1 p.m. In his non-fiction book, Schmidt invites readers to walk with him on two expeditions: the journey of grief and a 109-mile hike on the George S. Mickelson Trail. Below is an excerpt:
She’s gone, so what do I have to live for? Jim was at a crossroad. He could either sit back in his easy chair and wait to die, or get off his duff and move forward. Jim decided to move forward. Part of his grief healing journey was to walk the George Mickelson Trail, in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota.
Books will be available for purchase at Saturday’s event for $16.
About Mickelson Trail
Historically significant and a favorite of outdoor enthusiasts, the George S. Mickelson Trail served as the Burlington (train) route for nearly 100 years, transporting people, freight, mail and livestock from town to town along its passage. Construction began in Deadwood in 1888, and within ten months the route to Edgemont was complete.
Train traffic came to a stop in the mid 1980s and the railroad was abandoned and removed. In 1991, a group of people with a love of the outdoors recognized the trail’s potential. With the support of Governor George S. Mickelson, it became South Dakota’s first rails to trails project. That same year, the first segment was opened and in 1998, the trail was finished. Tragically, Governor Mickelson was killed in a plane crash in 1993, and never saw the full realization of the project.
For additional information, see the classified ad on PAGE EIGHT
