Punt Family Campout Black Hills Top Ten Extravaganza

As I’ve said many times before, raspberry is the unofficial flavor of the Punt Family. We don’t have many things we collectively love as much as raspberries, except possibly the Muppets, Tom Hanks, and the Black Hills. While we have never met the Muppets or Tom Hanks, it is our duty as East River dwellers to make the pilgrimage every summer to “The Hills”. It’s a magical place where we have enjoyed many good times, but equally many bad times. Today we will be taking a look at ten of the most memorable. 

(Thankfully, the Punt Family Power Rankings were not a thing at the time because I would be last on multiple trips.) 

1. The first real official stop for a Black Hills vacation is getting free ice water, nickel coffee, a dozen donuts and an extra donut because you served our country from Wall Drug. While on an adventure in late high school/early college, I was in one of the stores where the Hustead’s sell marked up crap when I heard the most memorable customer service exchange of my life.

300 pound dad: Do you guys give the good guy a discount?

Clerk (humoring him): That depends if you are a good guy.

300 pound dad (in the loudest speaking voice possible, but not quite yelling): I’m a damn good guy!

Now that story by itself isn’t very good, but what makes it great is, same dude pulls up at the same time to our same campground to check in and does the same “damn good guy” routine. Buddy, your joke wasn’t funny the first time, and it’s not funny now. Get a new routine! (An older, wiser, Eric would have reminded him that 2000 years ago a lowly carpenter would have told him, “No one is Righteous, not even one.”)

2. For the one summer of my young adult life that I wasn’t wasting at Lynde Construction, I was living in good old Aberdabber. I was going to meet my sister in Rapid City and go from there to the annual camping trip. The trip would be long, and I would be leaving after work, so rather than driving through the night and falling asleep at the wheel, I decided to split it into two parts. I stayed the night at a friend’s house in Pierre and left at 6:00 am to meet my sister in Rapid. One problem, there was less than a quarter tank of gas in the most empty part of our state. It took about 2 seconds before I panicked. I tried calling Al and Gail, but they were fast asleep with no cell phone service and not caring if their youngest and favorite child would get stranded in the middle of South Dakota. The only other person to call was Jacklyn. Freaking out, I called her and explained the situation as she’s half asleep, and I’m ruining her vacation. She was not happy to receive the call, and gave me a “What do you want me to do about it?” I don’t know, maybe come get me, or at least tell me everything’s going to be ok. Fortunately, the Lord will provide, and I was able to tumble into Midland and get gas. Thankfully, this was the only part of that Black Hills trip where my car was a nuisance.

3. Sike! Three days later we were going home from that trip. We were picking up my car in Rapid City, and I’m looking for my keys…(Cody Ericson I forgot the sugar look on my face). I remember where they are: In the front pocket of Jacklyn’s backpack. And, she was already on the interstate towards Wall. She is a kind and gracious sister and drove back and threw them at me as hard as she could (luckily, she throws like a girl). I was not a great brother that weekend (still probably not either).

4. One year after my sister and brother in law tied the knot, I rode out with them to the Black Hills for our annual camping trip. Things were going well, Jacklyn’s car was in the shop, and we were taking her rental Subaru out there. We were moving along nicely. I was taking a little nap in the back, Naters was napping in shotgun, and Jacklyn was driving. I was awoken to the sound of rumble strips and us pulling over about 15 miles east of Wall. I thought Jacklyn had a bathroom emergency and was going to pee on the side of the road. Nathan awakens from his slumber and asks what happened. Jacklyn explains that the car said 45 miles to empty, and then said 0 miles to empty. I thought Nathan was going to kill Jacklyn and then kill me because I witnessed it. Thankfully, the bonds of marriage are greater than my fears. Nathan gets out of the car, and Jacklyn asks what he’s doing. “Well, I know neither of you two are going to walk to get gas.” First off, Rude, second, we’ve only been brothers in law for a year, and you already know me so well! It was only 100 ℉ when Nathan started the 15 mile trek. He only made it about 100 yards in before we were able to make contact with our cousin who was about a half hour behind us and able to bring us a jerry can. Moral of the story is “Don’t drive a Subaru.”

5. Back when Liberal Obama was President, they weren’t letting us have fireworks at Mt. Rushmore over the Fourth. We still needed to see a show, so we headed to Custer for a nice display. We parked along the highway and set up our blankets and chairs in the ditch. This total Karen, who’s set up on top next to the road (10 feet above us), says “Let’s move! Some people are so rude.” Oh, I’m sorry. Me being 10 feet below you is blocking your view of the fireworks display THAT IS IN THE SKY!!!! All of this could have been avoided if we had just had fireworks at Mount Rushmore.

6. Nathan got his four wheeler stuck in a place he wasn’t supposed to be. I wasn’t there and don’t have any details, but it’s funny when the perfect child gets in trouble. 

7. When I was about 13, the funniest joke in the world was “Joe Mama”. My family and I were driving on beautiful US Highway 16A when Big Al said, “Oh I think we just drove past Joe.” Without even thinking of the ramifications, instinctively I said ‘Joe Who?’… I knew immediately I had screwed up. “JOE MAMA!” blurts Al with his cackle like yell. The whole fam was laughing at me. I’d never been more embarrassed in my life.

8. Car troubles have been a running theme with our Hill trips. I think the worst one was the first one I remember. We were hauling our camper out with our Big Blue 1996 Suburban (the same one Tony Soprano drove in season one). We were almost to Chamberlain when the transmission went out. I thought the whole trip was going to be a loss. We stayed at Al’s Oasis Campground while our vehicle was getting fixed. To make things worse, someone pooped in the pool. No Black Hills, no cousins, no swimming! This is a catastrophe!

9. As we gathered around the campfire this year (2023) we started a new tradition with my extended family. Against my will, we had a creative discussion about how I could be better at social media, blogging, and what I need to do to go viral. I don’t know if the Punt Family are necessarily social media geniuses, but I do appreciate that they are equally invested in me becoming a social media influencer.

10. I am 30 years old, I’ve been going to the Black Hills for roughly 30 of those 30 years (ESPN Films presents!), and in my whole time I have wanted to do one thing and one thing only. Go to the Cosmos. I first learned about the Cosmos in fourth grade and have had a deep desire to see South Dakota’s most famous Roadside attraction since then. Sadly, whenever June comes around and we’re planning the itinerary for the Hills, I suggest the Cosmos every time and every time I’m completely ignored…not even told no, just completely ignored. This year is going to be different. I can feel it!