Category: Trips

Mt. Roosevelt

Deadwood SD – September 2021

Mt. Roosevelt, named for President Theodore Roosevelt.
The Friendship Tower Mount Roosevelt Memorial.
Deadwood resident Seth Bullock met the 26-year-old Theodore Roosevelt in 1884, shortly after Roosevelt moved out west. They became lifelong friends. When Roosevelt died in January 1919, Bullock commissioned this monument which was completed in July 1919. Bullock died in September 1919, and is buried in Deadwood’s Mt. Moriah cemetery on a high hill that had an unimpeded view of Mt. Roosevelt. If you ever have a chance, the story of their friendship is a pretty neat read.
Not that many steps, but they are narrow and pretty steep.
Views of the Black Hills from the top of the tower.
Beautiful aspen trees.

Tatanka Story of the Bison

Deadwood SD – September 2021

Tatanka Story of the Bison Museum is the brainchild of Kevin Costner, who is its benefactor. The movie Dances With Wolves was filmed in numerous sites throughout the area.
These are costumes that were used in Dances With Wolves.
This is the third-largest bronze sculpture in the world. It depicts an Indian buffalo jump.
View of the Black Hills.

Deadwood

Deadwood SD – September 2021

This is THE Deadwood!
Grave of Wild Bill Hickok
Grave of Calamity Jane, who wished to be buried next to Wild Bill Hickok (and she was!)
Deadwood
The Historic Adams House, built in 1892, this Queen Anne-style home is well-known for its oak interiors, hand-painted canvas wall coverings, stained-glass windows, modern 19th century plumbing, electricity, telephone service, and original furnishings. The original owner, W.E. Adams ran a successful grocery store in Deadwood, and also served 6 terms as Deadwood’s mayor. He died in 1934.
This is the saloon where Wild Bill Hickok was shot and killed in 1876 by Jack McCall.
Called the “dead man’s hand”, two black 8s and two black aces were the hand that Hickok was holding when he was shot.
Dead man’s hand display.
Hickok was killed downstairs here.
Hickok’s assassin Jack McCall was captured here in 1876.
Wild West Shootout skit in the Main Street.
In Deadwood, our last night with Mary Jean’s good friends Pat and Rolland.
Old Deadwood’s Main Street
Old Deadwood’s Main Street

Spearfish Canyon

Spearfish SD – September 2021

Spearfish Canyon is in the midst of the Black Hills. Incredible scenery as your drive down the 20+ mile highway.
This is Bridal Veil Falls. When we were there the falls were barely a trickle, so the stream is pretty dry for now.
The Devil’s Bathtub
Kissing Rocks
Spearfish Falls
Roughlock Falls
Enclosed canyon!

Devils Tower

Devils Tower WY – September 2021

Devils Tower was featured in the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind. It is 1,267 feet high. President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed Devils Tower America’s first national monument in 1906. The original Indian name was Bear Lodge, but Devils Tower is an apparent mistranslation.

The columns of Devils Tower are its most striking feature. This appearance, known as columnar jointing, is not unique to the Tower. However, the size of the Tower’s columns is unmatched. Soaring hundreds of feet into the air and stretching to 10 feet in width, the columns at Devils Tower are spectacular.

Devils Tower has attracted people since prehistoric times. It holds many meanings for people including American Indians, local ranchers, rock climbers, and thousands of visitors. For explanations about the theories about how the tower formed, go to https://www.nps.gov/deto/learn/nature/tower-formation.htm.

Our first view of Devils Tower.
Getting closer.
And closer.
And closer.
And we are here.
So I decided to walk the 1.6 mile trail around the base of Devils Tower and take pictures from all the different angles. The trail has some semi-steep walking, some leveling off, and then a little downhill.
I was happy to see this sign.
This is the closest I got to the tower itself. Looking straight up.
If you look closely, you can see a couple climbers working their way up the tower.
Proves I was here!
View as we left.
This was the view from near the top of the trail I walked.