I've gotten behind on this Blog due to poor internet connectivity. I'll try to catch up in the next day or two.The Black Hills are more incredible than I remember. I was last there in 1971 and before that in 1968. We approached on I-90 on the drive from Buffalo. While still in Wyoming, we caught a distant glimpse of Devil's Tower to the North. Shortly after passing Devil's Tower, we began to climb, and the prairie gave way to pines. First stop was Spearfish to replenish groceries.
After a stop in
Spearfish we headed down the road to the exit for Deadwood, SD (where Wild Bill Hickok was gunned down during a card game). Deadwood is a beautiful town perched between the mountain peaks. The entire town is a National Historic Landmark, and was a roaring gold rush town in the 1800's after George Armstrong Custer discovered gold in the Black Hills. The town cemetery is the resting place of not only Wild Bill, but also Calamity Jane, Seth Bullock, Potato Creek Johnny, and Preacher Smith.From Deadwood we headed down Route 385, which heads South to Hill City and Custer beyond. Our final destination was the Rafter J Bar Ranch Campground. The campground appears to be on the site or a former working ranch. Guess the owners figured they could work real hard during the summer months and make more money renting ground and making pancakes for tourists than they could ranching. This is a premium private campground, and it was well worth the extra money. Our site was beautiful and fully shaded by pine trees. Very private and very quiet. We're getting our routine down, and now get the Palouse Caboose set up in 1/2 hour or so. It's become a comfortable home away from home.
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