September 21, 2013 - Rapid City to Deadwood, South Dakota

Today we moved from Hart Ranch, south of Rapid City to the Creekside Campground, near Deadwood. The drive was beautiful and we stopped at the Pactola Dam and Reservoir overlook. Pactola Lake is the largest reservoir in the Black Hills.
After setting up at Creekside, we drove into Deadwood and toured the Mt. Moriah Cemetery – The Black Hills Boothill. Mt. Moriah was established in 1878 and is the burial spot for figures like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Hickok, a legendary figure even in his own lifetime, was shot in the back of the head by Jack McCall, while playing poker at the No. 10 Saloon on August 2, 1876.
Calamity Jane who is renowned for her excellent marksmanship, preference for men's clothing, and bawdy behavior is buried next to Hickok.

We even hiked to the very top of the cemetery where Sheriff Seth Bullock is buried, overlooking the town of Deadwood.

The Days of ’76 began as a way to honor Deadwood’s first pioneers - the prospectors, miners, muleskinners and madams who poured into the Black Hills in 1876 to settle the gold-filled gulches of Dakota Territory. Since the first celebration in 1924, the Days of ‘76 has grown into a legendary annual event with a historic parade and an award-winning PRCA rodeo. We went to the Days of 76 Museum which highlights that history. It was well done and we spent hours reading the history, looking at the artifacts, pictures, and memorabilia and archives generated by the celebration.

We strolled through Deadwood and checked out some of the historic buildings, as well as some of the casinos. Can’t say that we are big spenders … I spent my $5 and called it a day!
We shared dinner back at our camp and spent the evening playing cards and board games.