South Dakota and we're celebrating as we've added 4 more states to our map this summer: Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. Looks like we're going to have to travel East after this year.

Deadwood, South Dakota

In 1876, fortune seekers looking for gold in the Black Hills stumbled upon a gulch full of dead trees and creek full of gold...The Wild West town of Deadwood was born. Since then fortune seekers continued to come to Deadwood looking for good luck and a good time. Dick and I certainly had a good time in this small town.....no gambling so not sure if we can claim good luck.

Our tour of the Mount Moriah Cemetery. We hiked to the top of the mountain to where Sheriff Seth Bullock overlooks the town he helped to tame. Sheriff Bullock was the first sheriff of Deadwood, a friend of Theodore Roosevelt and a member of the Black Hill Rough Riders.

Brown Rocks Overlook . Quite a view of the town of Deadwood. The American Flag at the overlook flies 24 hours a day by act of Congress. It is one of the few spots in the country which is afforded this honor.

Wild Bill Hickok's grave is on of the most visited sites in the cemetery. Wild Bill was known for his very colorful life including service as a marshal, an Army scout and numerous other tasks that called for a fast gun. Calamity Jane is buried next to him.

Had to include this Deadwood Dick's saloon. One of the original saloons in Deadwood is now an antique store with many of the items of the goldrush days on display.

Even though we stayed right on the edge of town, we still had wild life at our door.

Deadwood at night. The town is all lit up with the many gambling establishments and saloons. Just like Vegas, you can gamble 24 hours a day.

Reenactments of the Wild West shootouts are held on Main Street several times a day. These are followed by a replaying of Wild Bill's murder and the infamous trial of his shooter Jack McCall.

Lions Club City Park in Bowman North Dakota. A free park. Notice green grassy area.

We loved the wide open space. A storm blew through...we had to close the slides as the wind was just rumbling the covers.

Another great find at the Harding County Park.

Lots of history of the development of South Dakota. The horse named Tipparary was known to be the sturdiest bucking bronco in the area.

Nice break in the day to tour this park.

Theodore Roosevelt Park covers 110 square miles in the North Dakota badlands. This view was alongside one of our hiking trails. When Roosevelt became President in 1901 he signed the Antiquities Act which proclaimed 18 national monuments. He established 5 national parks, 51 Federal Bird Reservations, 4 National Game Preserves and 150 National Forests. I am very thankful he had the foresight to preserve this land for our country.

Views from another hiking trail.

These huge bison were right in the roadway. Hmm traffic directors of some sort.

Might makes right so this guy had the right of

way.

Large herds could be seen in the distance as well.

This rattle snake also took control of the roadway. He WON

More traffic directors. These wild horses just took their time moseying off the road.

Theodore Roosevelt's home in Medora was this small 3 room cabin It is still decorated with the vintage furniture and items of the late 1800's. Theodore Roosevelt came to North Dakota to hunt buffalo in 1883. He fell in love with the area and bought 2 ranches in the area to raise cattle.

The Theodore Roosevelt visitor center is quite well done and very informative. This wooden carving is life size. Impressive

I need one of my grandsons to identify this dinosaur. Can't remember which one it is.

We toured the Chateau de Mores State Historic site. A very well kept 1880's style 26 room Chateau built by a French nobleman, the Marquis de Mores. He named the town Medora after his wife Medora on Hoffman. This is one of the stage coaches that traveled between Deadwood and Medora.

The home and museum are filled with very unique items including many of the guns used by Theodore Roosevelt and Marquis de Mores from the 1800's.

The home had a room filled with old bottles. All of the wine, water, and other drinks were sent by train from New York. Hmm, a wine closet I would like to have.

This is one of the rooms used by the servants and the de Mores children. The dolls and furniture were all shipped by train from New York.

The tack room was complete with equipment for riding and hunting. Its said the Marquis would brag that his wife was a better marksman than he was and would frequently hunt on her own when the Marqui was busy.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Sunset at our campground. Nice. This campground is great lots of large pull through spots with great views and only $5. a night for us seniors..

We were going to stay 2 nights but stayed for 5 more because it was so relaxing. Trails to hike and bike ride.

The buffalo came into the gully right by our campground. Large herd of 30 to 40. More than I could count.

Cloudy overcast days kept us cool along with a few light rains.

We never tired of the views. Every day a new hike or bike ride.

Medora, North Dakota

Our campsight right along the Little Missouri. We're less than a mile from town. Great biking and hiking route. Population is less than 100 in the winter and in the summer its in the thousands.

Many bronze sculptures are scattered through town. This one weighs nearly 2 tons and depicts the early times of this North Dakota area.

Date night. We're doing the typical tourist evening in Medora: a musical and Pitchfork Steak Fondue. We never could have guessed that this evening would take place in one of the most beautiful spots in the West and entertain us with a breathtaking extravaganza of horses and outstanding professional entertainment along with a new dining experience.

The views were amazing. Looking out from atop this bluff at the Tjaden Terrace we could see the Little Missouri and the picturesque badlands.

More views from our dining area. And I thought this would just be a tourist trap kind of evening...What a surprise.

The line up for dinner. The line moved fast as we were serenaded by cast members from the musical.

Steaks made to order well if you like them Medium rare. The chef loads steaks onto pitchforks and fondues them western style. An entertainment to watch.

Tools of the trade. Yes, all of these pitchforks were in use at the 3 huge vats for cooking our steaks.

These guys were kept busy cooking for the hundreds of hungry people.

A view of twelve elk grazing for their dinner while we enjoyed ours..

A view of the outdoor theater. We hiked to the top and then rode an escalator down to the lower level for our seats. The Burning Hills Amphitheater holds 2,852 people.

The band "Coal diggers" was great and the violinist had a personality that carried the show .

Stage setting for this Western style musical dedicated to the legacy of America's 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt, and the time he spent here in North Dakota's Badlands Each show pays tribute to American patriotism and the old-west way of life. We were thoroughly entertained.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

This Park is located in the North Dakota Badlands named for the president who is remembered as being one of America's great conservationists.

The canyons were carved out by millions of years of the natural forces of the wind , rain and waters of the Little Missouri River. We had great views from the visitor center outside the south side of the park.

Hundreds of little prairie dogs are living throughout the park. They even have a city titled Prairie Dog City. Their bark is this high pitched chirp. Really cute how they interact and protect their home from other little prairie dogs. Ok, I'm fascinated by the tiniest minutia.

The 36 mile loop trail gave us ample time to enjoy the views. We did several hikes including the Ridgeline Trail and the Boicourt Overlook.

Plan more hikes in the next few days as we'll be staying in the park in the campground.