What's Your Big Thing?

Good morning! Adrian Muñoz here from @rootlesspine. I'm excited to be taking over the @visitrapidcity Instagram this week and wanted to tell you a little more about myself! I was born and raised in the small town of Hill City located 26 miles southwest of Rapid City. Growing up in the Hills, I've always been passionate about hiking, fishing, skateboarding, and traveling with my beautiful fiancé @zoekuegle. Just over a year ago I found my passion for photography and it has been an incredible journey of teaching myself how to use a camera and finding my own unique style. I'm looking forward to showing you my favorite places in Rapid City and the Black Hills over the next week!

Gloomy days make for some of the most beautiful days in the Black Hills! Here's a shot from Horsethief Lake located just two miles northwest of Mt Rushmore. You can find people fishing and cliff jumping here, a nice campground to stay at and awesome hiking trails nearby. 

Hey Adrian from @rootlesspine coming at you from Badlands National Park. The Badlands are only an hour East of Rapid City and are a great option for a day trip. Sunsets are one of my favorite things to photograph and South Dakota has some of the best in the world! Here I was lucky enough to catch a bighorn sheep, a species which is found all over the hills, perfectly silhouetted against the setting sun. During my takeover, I want to focus on the nature and wildlife that Rapid City and it's surrounding areas have to offer! I hope you enjoy and stay tuned for more to come during my week here @visitrapidcity

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Ghost towns part 1: SD has some pretty awesome ghost towns that are full of history. Most of the ghost towns started from the gold rush in the late 1880s. It's very interesting to visit and explore these old buildings and try to imagine what it would've have been like and how they looked before everyone left.

Ghost towns part 2:
I have a love for landscape photography and unadulterated nature, but I'm trying to step out of my comfort zone and find beauty in the contrast that manmade structures can bring to the outdoors. Here are a couple of shots from last night's sunset and wow was it a beautiful one! Who else saw these colors last night? I've said it many times, but the sunsets here never cease to amaze! 

Adrian from @rootlesspine continuing my takeover for @visitrapidcity !

This shot was taken on Sheridan lake road. The fog rolling over the hills was too cool not to capture! These are my personal favorite days in the the Black Hills. During the gloomy days there are less people out and about which in return you'll see more wildlife! 
Follow @rootlesspine and @zoekuegle for more adventures!

If you are in the area don't miss Spearfish Canyon! Here you will find lots of waterfalls, hiking trails, and, this time of year, beautiful fall leaves. Whether you only have time for a quick drive through or you can spend the whole day, this beautiful canyon won't disappoint! 

It's autumn in the Black Hills! With the cooler weather and shorter daylight hours it can be tempting to want to cozy up inside. But how about taking a bike ride with friends and family to check out the beautiful colors of the changing foliage? The Mickelson trail winds through the hills for miles offering a new perspective and closer look at the scenery these woods have to offer. 

While there are many points of interest in the Black Hills, I highly recommend taking a trip off the beaten path. Pull over the car, head off the road, and see what you can discover. This was one of those random spots I would have never come across if I hadn't done just that. And look at that view! Sometimes all you need is a beautiful view and a hammock to enjoy the evening. 

Sheridan Lake is a great option if you enjoy the outdoors. They have a wonderful campground right next to the lake and sand beaches to soak up the sun! If you're lucky you might even see Bald Eagles flying overhead in search of their next catch. It's my personal favorite lake to fish for Northern Pike. What's your favorite lake in the hills? 

Spearfish Canyon is a beautiful destination all year round but when the autumn colors arrive, it's a whole new kind of beauty. If you're in the area you should get out there and explore soon because the leaves turn quick! This is definitely a site you don't want to miss! 

If you find yourself near Custer head to Custer State Park and take a drive through the Wildlife Loop where you have a chance to be greeted by these friendly faces! You can also spot buffalo, prairie dogs, deer, elk, and more. Evenings are my personal favorite times to see some wildlife and catch a beautiful sunset in this state park! 

I encourage everyone to take random backroads because sometimes they lead to the prettiest places. You never know what you're gonna find here in the beautiful Black Hills! These were taken near Rochford. I was driving around taking random logging and forest service roads with my buddy @ronnie_sribniak and we found some hidden gems!

I had a great time this week sharing some of my favorite places in the Black Hills with all of you! I hope you enjoyed my photography and maybe found a spot or two you want to check out next time you're here. I will leave you with these last few photos. I hope you all enjoy. I'd like to give a huge thank you to @visitrapidcity for giving me this opportunity and for all of you who have followed along. Until next time, you can follow my other adventures @rootlesspine!