Laughing, Learning, and New Friends

Visit one of our favorite places Sick n Twisted Brewery and Naughti Winery

Our three rules for bringing anything new into our world:

1.       Are we learning?

2.       Can we adventure?

3.       Are we having fun?

As we returned to our home base for the summer, Andrea had found a seasonal job at a winery in nearby Hill City, SD.  

This seemed like a perfect fit for her. 

It answered a resounding yes to all three of our questions and allowed her to explore her passion of wine while earning money to replenish our travel funds. 

Our plan was that while she was working, I would stay at the property to contribute to the numerous projects that come with helping our family create a homestead.

After her first shift Andrea returned home, nervous about all there was to learn, but excited about the possibilities. 

However, there was a catch.  The drive was a bit further than we thought (an hour on dirt roads each way was the quickest route) so we would need to move the Airstream over Hill City, South Dakota for the summer. 

We could stay in an employee campground with full hookups and blazing fast internet during her work week.  Returning to the family property on her days off to complete our projects. 

None of this seemed like a problem to me.  I love seeing new places and was excited to live in two states at the same time this summer.  Bouncing from Wyoming to South Dakota all the while seeing the magic of the Black Hills sounded great. 

Then, she told me there was a second catch. 

I would need to work as well to make it financially prudent. 

I’ve never worked in a brewery, don’t know a ton about beer, (other than IPA’s hurt my stomach) but I’m good with people, can tell stories, and am not afraid to work hard. 

I went back to our three questions.  Would I be learning, can we adventure, and would it be fun?   It seemed like a solid yes for all three, so I agreed to go to an interview with her on her next shift. 

During my meeting with the owner, Rob, it quickly became apparent that the universe had aligned our families for this summer gig. 

He told me I’d be assisting in the brewing, learning to keg, greeting customers, hustling glassware, keeping the bars stocked and whatever else needed done. 

It seemed like a perfect fit to spend half our summer working with his family and team at the brewery and the other half with our family. 

The 18 beers we had on tap at SNT Brewery on day one of our new endeavor.

We have now been there for two weeks, and we can say it has been great. 

We have learned many new things, met many great people including all our harvest host guests, and get quality laughs in each shift. 

The funniest thing for me is I don’t even know how much I’m getting paid for this job.  

We are grateful for the opportunity and embracing all that comes our way in this part of our journey.   

If you find yourself in the Blacks Hills, be sure to stop in and say hello!

If you are coming through the Black Hills this summer stop in and see us!