I was itching to pay a Deadwood a visit.I'd feeling bummed out and really needed to spend some time away from the camper. For some reason Deadwood popped into my head on a Friday afternoon while I was making a trip from Stanley back to Parshall. (Let's face it, there isn't much to look at out here except oil pumps and plains so the mind tends to wander on these trips.) When I got home I started looking up hotels and driving directions and when Jacob came home from work I pitched my idea to him and we decided that we would leave the next day.
Deadwood is a 6 hour drive, but by now we are so used to making long drives that it seems like nothing. We never would have done an overnighter like this while living in Kentucky. It's funny how your perception of space and time changes out here.
I'm so glad we decided to go on this road trip! We absolutely loved Deadwood and we are planning on going back again at the end of September. I will have some more pictures then, but for now here are some of the highlights from our first Deadwood trip.
North Dakota Badlands
This was our first stop on our trip.
These hills are truly breathtaking and pictures simply don't do them justice.
Here is Will at Painted Canyon in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
We stopped in Medora after this to take a stagecoach ride on our way to Deadwood.
We took such a long time stopping and meandering through North and South Dakota that we didn't make it to Deadwood until night fall, but we got to see this gorgeous moon above the Black Hills so it was totally worth it.
The hotel we stayed in was just outside of Deadwood and nestled against the hills with a stream running in front of it. The setting was beautiful!
After packing up our things we headed into Deadwood proper. They have these awesome signs with Wild Bill Hickok at both town entrances.
We decided a tour would be the best use of our time. Here's a shot of the main Deadwood drag from inside our tour bus.
The entire original city of Deadwood burned to the ground, but this is what is believed to be the site of Saloon No. 10 where Wild Bill Hickok was shot. The building is for sale. Anyone want to buy it?
This little blue building is the oldest building in Deadwood. It was built immediately following the fire. It now has a really great jewelry shop inside with all kinds of awesome stuff.
Next we visited Mt. Moriah where many of Deadwood most famous residents are buried. This is Wild Bill Hickok's grave. It's situated a bit oddly, but Jacob managed to get this great picture by climbing on a wall beside it. I was horrified and told him to get down immediately. I have to admit he got a great shot though.
Folks like to leave little trinkets for Ol' Bill. There was even a hand of Aces and 8's, known as the Deadman's Hand because legend holds that is what Bill was holding when he died.
At her request Calamity Jane was buried right next to Wild Bill.
I don't know anything about this gravesite, but I was fascinated by the tin cup and pipe that someone had so carefully placed on top of it .
The view from the top of Mt Moriah overlooking Deadwood is absolutely breathtaking.
Off in the distance is a goldmine. I can't recall the details, but I remember they were pretty interesting.
The last picture I have is of a roof that is covered in cyanide can lids for shingles. Apparently this was a common practice in the area at one time. I have to admit they do make lovely, if not deadly, roofing shingles.
So, I hope you enjoyed my photo tour of Deadwood, SD. If you ever get a chance to go, do it! The Black Hills are gorgeous and Deadwood is such a quaint little town. It was definitely worth the 6 hour drive!
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