In the car and on to Lead (pronounced "leed") to visit the old railroad roundhouse, now art gallery, restaurant, and gift shop, of course. Cutest in there was the store clerk's baby, but she was not for sale. Further in old town was The Big Cut, remnant of the Homestake Gold Mine. Big and deep it was indeed.
Noticing that it was the proverbial five o'clock somewhere and the actual five o'clock here, we thirsted. For wine. Checking resources, I found two tasting rooms nearby, and wouldn't you know it, they were both back in Deadwood. What to do but backtrack. SD vineyards are much like MN vineyards in that they love their sweet stuff, especially berries and rhubarb. Gingerly trying not to step on toes, we chose drier varieties and bought a bottle at each place: Dakota Breeze from Belle Jolie and Blackberry from Schade (family name originally pronounced "shay-dee" but moved accent from first syllable to second syllable to create "sha-day" and thereby eliminate any references to a shady business making and selling shady wine -- oops). We'll share with daughter and sil this weekend. For dessert.
With day ending, we drove to Rapid City for the Prairie Edge experience: spacious tri-level store, art gallery, books, jewelry, beads, craft stations, clothes, moccasins, toys, and most items high quality and pricey. One silver ring caught my eye, and after learning the story behind it, I was a buyer. It tells the story of First Rain with a lightening-bearing raven and ten smaller birds flying randomly.
Ready for dinner, we found the Firehouse Brewery next door, waited for a table, drank a brew, and ate. The place was packed, and all the kiddos got red plastic fireman hats, us included. Noise included the baseball game on multiple screens, so J was okay with that. Looking around the area afterward, we checked out the Wine Cellar Restaurant across the street but knew we would be too far away from town for another meal there.
Finally we landed at the hotel for bedtime and planning another day. Cool weather continues with heavy skies.
Sent from my iPhone
Thursday, July 14, 2011
SD Tuesday July 12 Morning Photos
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| Spearfish Creek |
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| Cool morning in Sturgis |
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| RIP Bill and Jane |
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| Bridal Veil Falls |
SD Tuesday July 12 Morning
After breakfast we headed for Sturgis and a quick drive through. The town looked so normal, almost sleepy, but then we were there about 8:00am, took a couple of photos, and noticed fewer Hogs than Leakey on a busy day.
From the town of Spearfish, we drove south on the Scenic Byway along Spearfish Creek. Scenery was every shade of green interrupted with rock formations. Shadowy canyons made photography difficult with my iPhone, but we stopped at most pullouts to take in the views. Bridal Veil Falls was a much touted highlight, even though I thought more of those imposing granite towers.
In Deadwood we parked at the History and Information Center in the old railroad depot and plunked coins in the parking meter. Once again friendly workers mapped out some must-sees and we took off to explore. The nearby Adams Museum was filled with all the memorabilia necessary to explain early Deadwood, all it's wild history, and the metamorphosis into tamed community, including all the casinos, one owned by Kevin Costner. I was most intrigued by the Adams family and the fact that this memorial was built by a prosperous businessman to honor his wife and two daughters. So of course our next stop was the Adams House.
Adams bought the House from fellow successful merchant Franklin, who left most of its contents. Then due to family tragedies, the house eventually stood untouched for fifty years with everything in place, even cookies in the biscuit jar. I had never been in a historic house so authentic. Every turn had the original whatever in place and only unnoticeable cosmetic repairs; restoration focused on structure and cleaning. Now owned by a historical group and funded by gambling commissions, it is a treasure defying time.
Just outside Deadwood and up the hill at Mount Mariah Cemetery, we paid our respects to Wild Bill and Calamity Jane. I had the opportunity to take a picture of a man standing on a retaining wall next to a sign saying "Absolutely no climbing or standing on retaining walls" but I was laughing too hard. We also respected the gift shop and bought magnetic bottle openers and a thin cookbook.
Literally down in downtown Deadwood, we walked the main street, bought Jim a cap, added more souvenirs to our growing stash, strolled through Saloon #10 where Wild Bill played his dead man's hand, and lost count of how many businesses had some type of gaming machine. In the Saloon I watched a family speaking only French take photos of numerous locations and items, laughing and chattering, wide-eyed and giddy, evidence that the USA has kept its international appeal for the Wild West, at least in saloons.
Sent from my iPhone
From the town of Spearfish, we drove south on the Scenic Byway along Spearfish Creek. Scenery was every shade of green interrupted with rock formations. Shadowy canyons made photography difficult with my iPhone, but we stopped at most pullouts to take in the views. Bridal Veil Falls was a much touted highlight, even though I thought more of those imposing granite towers.
In Deadwood we parked at the History and Information Center in the old railroad depot and plunked coins in the parking meter. Once again friendly workers mapped out some must-sees and we took off to explore. The nearby Adams Museum was filled with all the memorabilia necessary to explain early Deadwood, all it's wild history, and the metamorphosis into tamed community, including all the casinos, one owned by Kevin Costner. I was most intrigued by the Adams family and the fact that this memorial was built by a prosperous businessman to honor his wife and two daughters. So of course our next stop was the Adams House.
Adams bought the House from fellow successful merchant Franklin, who left most of its contents. Then due to family tragedies, the house eventually stood untouched for fifty years with everything in place, even cookies in the biscuit jar. I had never been in a historic house so authentic. Every turn had the original whatever in place and only unnoticeable cosmetic repairs; restoration focused on structure and cleaning. Now owned by a historical group and funded by gambling commissions, it is a treasure defying time.
Just outside Deadwood and up the hill at Mount Mariah Cemetery, we paid our respects to Wild Bill and Calamity Jane. I had the opportunity to take a picture of a man standing on a retaining wall next to a sign saying "Absolutely no climbing or standing on retaining walls" but I was laughing too hard. We also respected the gift shop and bought magnetic bottle openers and a thin cookbook.
Literally down in downtown Deadwood, we walked the main street, bought Jim a cap, added more souvenirs to our growing stash, strolled through Saloon #10 where Wild Bill played his dead man's hand, and lost count of how many businesses had some type of gaming machine. In the Saloon I watched a family speaking only French take photos of numerous locations and items, laughing and chattering, wide-eyed and giddy, evidence that the USA has kept its international appeal for the Wild West, at least in saloons.
Sent from my iPhone
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Bison
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Sumo
That's the only way to explain the noise last night in the room above ours: sumo wrestler. The weighty feet (and I imagine the rest of him) were tromping heavily across his floor and our ceiling. At least he was early to bed and late to rise so he didn't disturb my sleep. Yikes! I said HE when maybe the offender was a SHE!
Not
SD Monday July 11
"See you Friday" took a little longer than expected this morning, a new concept from the usual goodby that promises we'll see them in a few weeks. Hugs and kisses collected, suitcases loaded, lunch packed, maps and itineraries within easy reach, we began our adventure.
We made excellent time, stopped a few places, collected travel brochures, browsed merchandise, and appreciated pleasant encounters with other tourists and shop workers. About every hour we saw a state-run facility for travelers, so rest stops were never a problem, not quite as luxurious as Bucky's but close enough.
We entered The Badlands. Dramatic structures, cathedral spires, yellow mounds frosted with maroon, lots of pullouts at viewpoints, boardwalk trails, archeological finds, only one tour bus, and a brief sprinkle of rain.
Next stop was Wall Drug, a place we might have skipped until we heard too many people claim it was an experience not to be missed, at least once. We did our once. The complex covered more than a city block with a maze of wares pocketed in small sections and corners, all claiming organization, even though workers met every question with puzzlement. Our departure was more like an escape, and we left without spending any money. We knew we were licked when we wandered through their restaurant into a water play area next to vintage photo booths and giant animal sculptures. Whew! Someone could live out a life in there. Reminds me of a movie I saw a few years ago.
Going to Rapid City we drove through a wild and windy thunderstorm. This was the dark sky and lightening we had watched toward the west earlier on our way to Wall. When we reached our hotel, the only activities remaining were dinner and bed, and we were ready for both. End of day one.
Sent from my iPhone
We made excellent time, stopped a few places, collected travel brochures, browsed merchandise, and appreciated pleasant encounters with other tourists and shop workers. About every hour we saw a state-run facility for travelers, so rest stops were never a problem, not quite as luxurious as Bucky's but close enough.
We entered The Badlands. Dramatic structures, cathedral spires, yellow mounds frosted with maroon, lots of pullouts at viewpoints, boardwalk trails, archeological finds, only one tour bus, and a brief sprinkle of rain.
Next stop was Wall Drug, a place we might have skipped until we heard too many people claim it was an experience not to be missed, at least once. We did our once. The complex covered more than a city block with a maze of wares pocketed in small sections and corners, all claiming organization, even though workers met every question with puzzlement. Our departure was more like an escape, and we left without spending any money. We knew we were licked when we wandered through their restaurant into a water play area next to vintage photo booths and giant animal sculptures. Whew! Someone could live out a life in there. Reminds me of a movie I saw a few years ago.
Going to Rapid City we drove through a wild and windy thunderstorm. This was the dark sky and lightening we had watched toward the west earlier on our way to Wall. When we reached our hotel, the only activities remaining were dinner and bed, and we were ready for both. End of day one.
Sent from my iPhone
Monday, July 11, 2011
More Ropes
More thrills
We couldn't leave the MOA without walking through the American Doll store and adding to wish lists. They know Christmas and birthdays are months away, but hopes and dreams are exempt from calendars.
Final stops bought ice cream for NK and coffees for us. Ordering mocha coconut frappuccinos was a risky move, and we're doing our best to fight off any addiction.
As soon as a short, pseudo rest period ended at home, we were at the pool club for swimming with friends. Dinner at home satisfied all appetites with grilled ribeye steaks, mushrooms, asparagus, zucchini, and croissants.
Following bedtime routines for the two youngest, the rest of us had just enough energy to enjoy wine on the porch. Another blessed day in grandchildren land!
On the Ropes
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