On Tuesday, I went to Deadwood. Spent the entire day there. The only thing about Deadwood that is kind of a drag (although, it is a boon to the city itself) is the gambling. The city was dying and falling apart, and tourism was down, so, in 1989 they voted to make gambling legal once again in Deadwood. So, now, most of the old buildings have been turned into casinos (but, they were able to revitilize and renovate the city and cemetary). I only gambled about $1.00, and, of course, didn't win anything. I took a whole one-use camera (27 exposures) in Deadwood. Went to every gift shop, thinking I would find another of the Buffalo head magnet; of course, I didn't. The Celebrity Hotel and Casino has a Hollywood Museum in it. It's kinda weird. Nothing to do with Deadwood. Stuff like things from Rocky, the uniform Tom Hanks wore in Forrest Gump, etc., etc., etc. They also have a display of signed guitars, signed by Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Rod Stewart, etc. The weirdest, creepiest thing they had is a chunk of metal from the plane crash that killed Patsy Cline! The Mint across the street has John Wayne's truck. There is also a little place owned by Kevin Costner, that he bought when making "Dances with Wolves." I then took the Alkali Ike tour of Deadwood, where they take you on a bus tour, and show you all of historic Deadwood, and then up to the Mount Moriah cemetary, where Wild Bill Hickock and Calmity Jane, among others are buried. There was this large tour group from Canada on the Alkali Ike tour. More about them later. Then, I went to the Adams Museum, where they have the mysterious "Thoen Stone, which is the only thing Leo remembered about Deadwood. Carved on the rock it tells the story of these seven guys who were going after gold, and the last thing it says is "Out of food, out of water, being hunted by indians" Tried to take pics of it, but don't know how they will come out, as it is behind glass). After Deadwood, I went back to Rapid City for dinner with Ron and Betty Mayer. We met at the Golden Corral restaurant, which is an "all you can eat" place, but, unlike "Fresh Choice," which is mostly salads, this place had everything! Steaks, pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, EVERYTHING!!! Ron and Betty filled and emptied about three plates! I don't know where they put it all! I only had one plate, and they said "you can't possibly be full?" But, I was, and I said so! Enough for now. Next episode: Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Mountain, and Mount Rushmore! Bet you can't wait!!!
