It is the beginning of the Memorial Day weekend and the Black Hills are gearing up but not as much as I expected. There are rooms available and that’s a good sign as we move on. The weather is also a good sign; sunny, warm but not too hot.
First business, the Harley Store in Hill City. It opens at 10:00 so Jim slept in a bit and Abby and I went in search of coffee and internet access. We found the coffee and scoped out the shops which were opening as we walked the streets. I really like this little town; surely a tourist town but in a quiet western way and some very nice galleries. With Jim joining us we made our Harley stop and visited a couple of the galleries. One in particular, the Swallow Gallery on Main Street was special. The owner is Native American and all items she sells are from enrolled Native artists. Today her husband was manning the shop and we looked for a long time finding something we both liked; a Northern Cheyenne Pipe bag make of elk with beading.
On to Deadwood agreeing that Hill City was a very good stop; lodging, dining and shopping all fell into place.
I’ve visited Deadwood several times; pre gaming on a family camping trip, early gaming days with 5 cent limits and now with gaming in every nook and cranny and the 5 cent limit lifted. I don’t know if this is true but I remember hearing that gaming was originally allowed when the town was in financial trouble and wanted to raise enough taxes to pay for sidewalks and street lights. They now have both as well as some nice looking buildings and a general feeling of prosperity mingled with historic and some remaining pockets of not so prosperous looking buildings. The main “old town” street is now free of parking and a large parking garage is easy to find although out of site. Trolleys offer transportation around town and walking is the primary mode of movement. Just about every shop along the way has slot machines and saloons abound. Historic points of interest such at the place where Wild Bill Hitchcock was shot are well marked and there are plaques on the street with this history of Deadwood. We were lured into one saloon by a crooning cowboy and had a quick lunch in one of the more touristy places but the live music was worth it, plus he was really good; I almost bought one of the CDs.
First business, the Harley Store in Hill City. It opens at 10:00 so Jim slept in a bit and Abby and I went in search of coffee and internet access. We found the coffee and scoped out the shops which were opening as we walked the streets. I really like this little town; surely a tourist town but in a quiet western way and some very nice galleries. With Jim joining us we made our Harley stop and visited a couple of the galleries. One in particular, the Swallow Gallery on Main Street was special. The owner is Native American and all items she sells are from enrolled Native artists. Today her husband was manning the shop and we looked for a long time finding something we both liked; a Northern Cheyenne Pipe bag make of elk with beading.
On to Deadwood agreeing that Hill City was a very good stop; lodging, dining and shopping all fell into place.
I’ve visited Deadwood several times; pre gaming on a family camping trip, early gaming days with 5 cent limits and now with gaming in every nook and cranny and the 5 cent limit lifted. I don’t know if this is true but I remember hearing that gaming was originally allowed when the town was in financial trouble and wanted to raise enough taxes to pay for sidewalks and street lights. They now have both as well as some nice looking buildings and a general feeling of prosperity mingled with historic and some remaining pockets of not so prosperous looking buildings. The main “old town” street is now free of parking and a large parking garage is easy to find although out of site. Trolleys offer transportation around town and walking is the primary mode of movement. Just about every shop along the way has slot machines and saloons abound. Historic points of interest such at the place where Wild Bill Hitchcock was shot are well marked and there are plaques on the street with this history of Deadwood. We were lured into one saloon by a crooning cowboy and had a quick lunch in one of the more touristy places but the live music was worth it, plus he was really good; I almost bought one of the CDs.
Spearfish Canyon is one of the alternate routes I found looking through all the scenic byways. It is a beautiful way to wind your way out of the Black Hills to the town of Spearfish on the northern side of the hills.
Wyoming! Beautiful green hills, red rocks and blue skies. We had a wonderful drive from Spearfish to Devil's Tower. I love some of the photos I got of Devil's Tower. I have a client who wants some Wyoming photos so I am getting a little more active with my picture taking.
Tonight - Gillette. Taking the backroads it appears to be rather wide open beyond Gillette (HWY 14 north) so we'll play it safe; an ordinary hotel with internet, good rates and friendly to dogs. Besides, approaching the Big Horns in the morning light should be spectacular.
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