It comes as no surprise to me that Backpacker Magazine has named Boulder, Colorado as the #1 place in the US to raise an outdoor kid. Boulder has a lot going for it: 300 sunny days per year, relatively low crime rate, beautiful scenery, fairly low taxes, a major university, proximity to a large metropolitan city (Denver) and an international airport, close proximity to the Rocky Mountains allowing a plethora of outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, climbing, rafting – I could go on and on!

Hallet Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park

The only thing is, I’m not the only one who knows this, due in part to the many “Best Places” articles that have been written over the years, such as the one in Backpacker Magazine. But population growth here is nothing new. In fact,  Boulder instituted its first growth ordinance in 1976. I first came to visit Boulder in 1991 and decided to move here in 1996. Since then, I’ve watched the area surrounding Boulder grow at an unchecked rate. Bloated suburbs, congested roads, compromised air quality (oh, that’s right, it all blows over to Nebraska), and the social chill that accompanies overpopulation has made Boulder a somewhat different place in 2009 than it was in 1996. And with all that growth, it’s become a little pricier, too. Nonetheless, Boulder provides what’s important to me: good weather, a four-season climate, a beautiful setting, a casual and friendly social atmosphere, unlimited outdoor possibilities and a stable economic environment. Besides, with the popular belief that the world’s population will reach a peak of nine billion as early as 2070 before it starts to shrink, I think everywhere that’s nice is undergoing similar growth.

That said, I still often wonder where I would move if I were to consider a change, and what the characteristics of that place would be that would attract me there? The answer to that question has always been The Black Hills of South Dakota, and the characteristics would be the same ones that brought me to Boulder from Syracuse, New York in 1996. The area has a sunny western climate, relatively low crime rate, beautiful scenery, no state income tax, a major university, a decent city (Rapid City) with a regional airport, and a setting which allows a number of outdoor activities (including excellent rock climbing!). Obviously, Backpacker Magazine recognizes these qualities as well as their article has given the #19 spot to Rapid City.

I also first visited the Black Hills South Dakota back in 1991 during the same tour of the west that brought me through Boulder Colorado, and for me the area has always maintained its allure. The Black Hills National Forest has trees and rivers and craggy peaks and blue skies, but unlike Boulder the area still retains a calm and tranquil flavor. The area is historic as well, being the site of the last great American gold rush, The Black Hills Gold Rush 1874. In fact, both “Wild Bill” Hickok and “Calamity” Jane lie buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery in Deadwood. The many towns such as Deadwood, Spearfish, Hill City and Custer bustle during the summer months, as crazed tourists hunt for the best deals in Black Hills Gold jewelry. And Mount Rushmore, the world’s largest mountain carving stands as a majestic tribute to four exalted American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.

A Picnic at Sylvan Lake

During a recent trip, I toured Landstroms Black Hills Gold factory in Rapid City and spent some great time with the Customer Service people I work with on a daily basis. I also had the opportunity to camp and climb in Spearfish Canyon, go out for dinner in Rapid City, do happy hour in Spearfish, visit Mount Rushmore again, picnic at Sylvan Lake and take an awesome drive on the Needles Highway. And once again, I felt that same charm that I had felt back in 1991. It’s no wonder why Rapid City and The Black Hills made Backpacker Magazine’s cut.