Sunday, 28 May South Dakota

It feels a little warmer this morning as Bella and I went out.  I am disappointed, though, that there are still dark clouds overhead.  I am really tired of the wind and rain here.  I miss Montana with it's warm days and our ability to go out and go Paddle boarding.
Today I explored again.  I decided to do the Sturges, Spearfish, Deadwood loop.  I fed Bella and we headed out.
First stop was Sturges.  

It is the home of the Motorcycle rally that takes place in august.  Riders from all over the country converge on this place.

This time of year it is pretty empty.  

But this is what it looks like in August.

I only stopped long enough to use the bathroom then headed on up the road to Spearfish.

Spearfish is a cute town with lots going on.  They have the Historic D.C.Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery and Archives.  High Plains Western Heritage Center and the Termesphere Gallery and Museum.  They also have a Rec and Aquatics center.

Bella and I are just exploring with the idea of coming back with Rob for further explorations.

But, we did stop in to the D.C.Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery and Archives.

 

It was actually a really cool place. It was constructed in 1896 to propagate, stock, and establish trout populations in the Black Hills of South Dakota andWyoming. After a very successful fish production history, the Hatchery ceased operations in the mid 80's and reopened with a new mission and partnership to help preserve the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's historic and cultural heritage. The Hatchery is named after its first Superintendent.

Still today between 20,000 to 30,000 rainbow trout are stocked out of DC Booth each year by the SD Department of Game, Fish and Parks into nearby lakes and streams.

They have several ponds with various size rainbow and brown trout, as well as the tracks where the little guys first start growing.

The grounds span 10 acres.  The entire hatchery site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Ponds, rock walls, water system and buildings contribute to the site's historical significants.

There is a Museum, a train museum and the Booth's home on display.

Home of the first Superintendent's family

In the early days they delivered the fish by railroad.  they had special cars that contained temperature controlled, originated, and continuously flowing tanks containing the fish.  The engineer and a couple fish and gamers accompanied the fish on their journey to ensure their safety.

We wandered around the grounds a bit longer and the took in the rest of the sites

Then continued on our journey.

We found the Recreation and Aquatics center and took a couple pictures.  Looks like a really fun place to spend the day.

And then journeyed on through Spearfish Canyon.  "Unique and unparalleled elsewhere in our country." Those were the words used by one of America's greatest architects, Frank Lloyd Wright, when he visited Spearfish Canyon in September 1935.

Spearfish Canyon has it all-rugged cliffs, sparkling Spearfish Creek, a rich landscape dominated by pine, spruce, aspen and birch stands, and three waterfalls. It was a beautiful drive.  I didn't take pictures because it was raining.  I know we will be back!.

In the movie "Dances with Wolves"  the scenes toward the end of the movie of the Indians' winter home were filmed here in Spearfish Canyon.  

The canyon is 22 miles long and all of it is beautiful.

From here we drove through the little town of Lead which is also a cute cowboy town and then into Deadwood.

Deadwood is a historic cowboy town.  Wild Bill and Calamity Jane are both buried here along with many others.  

Since gaming is legal in South Dakota there are many casinos that are also museums located in town.  

There is a lot to see here, so we will definitely be back to explore when Rob gets back. 

From here we drove on back to Rapid City.  We stopped in town again for a little walk.

We went back to the park.  There are still a lot of people and activities going on.  

We ate dinner and I finished my June - sail boat and lighthouse Kleenex box.  It just might be my favorite so far.

That spinnaker sail puffs out just like it is supposed to!!!