Drive through Spearfish Canyon

Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort
Custer, SD

On our list of things to do while here in Custer,

was to take a drive through Spearfish Canyon.

We've heard that the scenery is beautiful.

It was!

We took highway 385 north through Deadwood, Lead,

and finally turning onto SR 14A until we got 

to the Spearfish Canyon Lodge.

It has a beautiful setting with the canyon walls surrounding it.

George and I parked there and took the 2 mile round trip hike to Roughlock Falls.

It was an easy trail, with great views of the Little Spearfish Creek.

and lovely wildflowers as well..

Hard to see, but there was some nice trout in there :-)

The weather was a bit warm, but in the shade it was nice.

There were several parts of the hike that there were

benches to sit on and enjoy the view.

All along you could hear the sounds of the creek,

and see a few birds resting on the trees.

Try as we may, we could not see any kingfishers or eagles.

At the end of the trail was Roughlock falls.

I couldn't stop taking pictures!

Wish we were going to be here when the leaves start to turn!

After the hike, we were ready for some good lunch :-)

Right across the highway from the lodge was the

Latchstring Restaurant.

We had a terrific view from the back deck!

George and I both ordered grilled cheese sandwiches,

and shared tomato bisque soup in a bread bowl.

What a perfect ending to a perfect day!

A trip to Deadwood with friends

Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort
Custer, SD

We're on the downhill slide here in Custer.

3 more weeks and we'll be heading out.

Our first stop will be Amarillo.

Since I'm on Obamacare (yuck, 5 more years until Medicare!),

I have to get any medical care in Texas.

My 'former' doctor has left the practice in Livingston.

I had to pick a new doctor on the HMO,

and found one in Amarillo.

We decided Amarillo would be convenient from here,

then we can shoot across Hwy 40 to California afterwards.

We're still not sure where we'll go in California,

still praying for a job there.

So on to yesterday's fun..

Since we've been full timing we've met lots of nice people.

George and I have been following the adventures of

Ray & Wendy Wright since they went full time

around the same time we did.

They work in Custer every summer

at the Custer State Park campgrounds.

We finally were able to meet them yesterday!

They picked us up around 9 am,

and we headed towards Deadwood.

It's been on our list to go to,

and the weather was perfect, sunny and in the 70's.

We stopped at Pactola Reservoir to tour the visitor center,

and see the lovely vistas.

We were surprised to learn that all the lakes in the Black Hills are man made.

A few minutes later we were in Deadwood.

We stopped first at the Days of 76 Museum.

It began as a way to honor Deadwood's first pioneers.

The museum features items from the gold rush of 1876,

as well as original wagons and a history of the rodeo.

This was the typical amount of supplies for 3 months

for the prospectors to use.

I don't think these prospectors would have made it :-)

There was a great Native American area

with some artifacts and information about the local

Lakota tribes.

 

We both loved the picture from 1939,

the 16th annual Days of '76.

The section about the rodeo was interesting..

Day's of '76 has been in existence for 94 years!

There was a great exhibit about one of the most important

people at the rodeo, the rodeo clown!

 Not a rodeo clown :-)

The wagons were so cool to see!

All of them are in the Days of  '76 parade.

After we made our way outside, we noticed an event

going on in the arena.

We caught the last couple minutes of a steer roping contest.

 We never did find out why the steer seem to have horns 

strapped to their heads.

I know it's easier to rope them, but they look a little silly!

We headed our way up Main street to check out the buildings.

We really enjoy walking the streets of Deadwood.

There are so many cool buildings there..

Ray & Wendy suggested we pop into the Stockade

for some beer and music.

 

The guy singing was pretty good,

if a bit R rated :-)

We enjoyed it though!

We all had a good laugh, 

and good lunch there.

We walked around some more,

then headed home.

George and I are so glad we finally got

together with Ray & Wendy.

They are great people,

and we're anxious to see them again

before we head down the road!