Day 4 was spent in Wyoming. When I planned this trip, I did not intend on going to eastern Wyoming. After all, this is a Dakotas Trip. However, because I arrived early the first day, I had extra time. And after I learned that Devils Tower was the first National Monument established by Teddy Roosevelt in 1906 and that it was in the direction I needed to go anyway, I decided to fit it in.  And so, today was Wyoming and Devils Tower Day. Unlike the terrain in South Dakota, the terrain here, on the edge of the Black Hills, is decidedly different looking, with higher mountains. It is also…

After hiking the Custer Skywalk yesterday to the top of the mountain that overlooks the town of Custer, I was determined to wake up this morning in time to hike to that spot again for the sunrise. Because of the two hour time change, waking up was no problem. I stretched by doing some yoga, had a cup of coffee, and headed out.  When I got there, two people were already there – a young man and a young woman. I asked the young woman to take my photo with me doing “my pose”. Afterwards, we chatted briefly. But this was before the sun had risen and this was no time for…

If yesterday started out as a celebration of American exceptionalism by first visiting Mount Rushmore, today started out telling the other side of that story by first visiting the Crazy Horse Memorial. Before coming to South Dakota,I sometimes wondered why  those four presidents were chosen for the monument. Here is the reason. And the museum explains this well. In summary, all were chosen because they made major contributions that helped form and shape our country – Washington founded our country, Jefferson grew our country, Lincoln preserved our country, and Roosevelt developed our country nationally and globally. And so why did sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski begin building the Crazy Horse Monument in 1948,…

Visiting all fifty states that make up our diverse and beautiful country was never on my bucket list. But after I visited Alaska, Wyoming and Idaho in 2025, I realized that there were only two states I had yet to visit – North and South Dakota. The main reason I have had the opportunity to set foot in many of the states I have visited is through work, whether it was being invited to cycle across  Iowa in the annual RAGBRAI event or visiting clients or potential clients in almost 30 states including places like Hanover, New Hampshire and Kalispell, Montana. While in Alaska, which made it the 48th state I…

James, I am sorry that it has been five months since I wrote one of these letters to you.  Time does fly by. This may be a microcosm of our time with you and Elizabeth – your childhoods will fly past us. There is so much I want to write about – and recently I have been doing more writing for my blog than anything else. And when I write, I am trying to use stories to illustrate an epiphany or uncover some type of universal truth, if there are such truths. Speaking of truths, Alan Arkin, who passed away recently, put it bluntly, “There are only two truths.  There…

In addition to trying to do some writing, taking care of the farm, enjoying our grandchildren, maintaining our Lake House, spending a lot of time with the Louisa Education Foundation, and not to mention traveling a little, I do have a day job as a municipal advisor. Yes, it is part time, but with a current stable of 10 clients, it does take a little time. So, every now and then I write a Market Update for the industry. The links will take you to the Pearl Creek Advisors’ Website, where the most recent market update resides. Here is why you may want to read it. The United States cannot…

When talking about the myth of the self-made man, there is a corollary myth that investment bankers like to tell themselves – that they are simply smarter, harder-working, and more resilient than everyone else. I believed that corollary myth for much of my days as an investment banker. It wasn’t until I looked back at my career that I understood how pretentious and ungrounded it was.  Being smart, hard-working and resilient help in success.  However, you also need luck and some angels, two of which appeared in my life in 1989. When I graduated from business school at UNC Chapel Hill in 1987, I, like several of my classmates, wanted…

As I board my plane to Richmond and take my aisle seat, I notice a young woman sitting next to me. She keeps looking out of her window. Her hands are clinched – almost into fists. I am one of those people who does not talk to people on planes, especially when traveling for work. I use that precious time to catch up on work or to relax reading a book.  I discouraged eye contact and would attempt to make myself smaller – trying to attract as little attention as possible – in case the person next to me misinterprets any sign that human interaction was welcomed.  And to ensure…

Yesterday Dolly Parton passed away at the age of 80.  She died from cancer.  Several years ago, the New York Times quipped, “Is there anything we can agree on? Yes, there is – Dolly Parton.” Known for her outsize persona, appearance and talent, she rose from rural poverty to become a top-selling singer, songwriter and entrepreneur.  Inducted into both the country music and rock ’n’ roll halls of fame, Dolly Parton was the top-ranking female singer on country radio from 1967 to 1993 and had a total of 25 No. 1 country singles. Not only a gifted singer and songwriter, but she also starred in several films, including “Steel Magnolias”…