1880 Train, Keystone and Deadwood

After a cold, damp, windy day, we were all looking forward to a great day out and about. On Friday, the sun was up and skies were clear.

We started our day by riding the 1880 Train from Hill City to Keystone, SD. This train system will run 5 round trip rides between these two towns every during during the summer. They have 3 big ole' steam engines that burn oil and a diesel engine.

Here's us on the train: Here are the kids watching the engine get into position to pull the train:

Here's Chaz in heaven!
Keystone is small town just 2 miles from Mt. Rushmore. It's a town of stores full of touristy stuff and very family oriented. We spent our 3 hours in Keystone wandering through shops, riding on mechanical horses and mainly just looking around

We ended up having lunch at an old hotel that was attached to a saloon. Now this saloon has gunfight-comedy shows daily and we watched one. Here's the kids with the cast. That fella in the middle is 7'2" tall! These guys have all been extra's or have had bit parts in Westerns or other movies shot in the hills.
After returning to Hill City, we loaded into the Suburban and drove 40 miles north to Deadwood. This historic old mining town is the basis for the HBO series and is most famous for being the place where Wild Bill Hickock was murdered by Jack McCall.

Deadwood is now a big gambling community and what we discovered is that there is very little for children to do or see in Deadwood. We did partake in another gunfight skit, which was entertaining for a few minutes.

Here's Tab and Eliza in front of the No. 10 Saloon where Hickock was killed.

The deputizing ceremony, performed by Calamity Jane! Notice Noah sporting the Davey Crocket look.
After our brief stay in Deadwood, we drover through Sturgis and then back to Rapid City. We ate at a Chili's and then found ourselves in the middle of a classic car parade in downtown Rapid City. Our suburban didn't hold muster against some of those vintage cars but we drove right down the street with them waving to the folks on the sidewalks watching us.

A long day was completed but we felt like we really got the flavor of the area today. And that would be our recommendation...get out and drive around the Hills...its the best way to see it.