Deadwood

Also went to Deadwood today.  I planned this more as a time filler than anything. The whole town of Deadwood is a National Landmark.  We were tired so only saw a couple of things and aside from two or three museums, it's really STILL a gambling town!

We had to go see Wild Bill Hitchocks grave and Calamity Jane's.

Mom and Tommy at Mt. Moriah Cemetary

Wild Bill Hitckok

Caption describing Wild Bill

We got some of the information on these two and it's pretty interesting.  They  describe Calamity Jane as a prostitute of little repute, perhaps due to her looks. I think that's a fancy way of saying she wasn't the best looking woman.

Calamity Jane's Info

She didn't get no bust!

She was sweet on Bill though.  She claimed they had a relationship and were sweethearts.  Historians have disproved this but still her dying wish was carried out.  She wanted to be buried next to Wild Bill.  That's a serious crush to have!  She died at 57 of various ailments but primarily alcoholism. 

On the back side of Bill's grave people leave flowers, change, business cards.. I'm really not sure why!  There was even a pair of sunglasses!





After the cemetery- we pretty much saw those two graves and left.  One of us had arthritis acting up and the other one of us had hiked 3 or 4 miles and her legs weren't really wanting to work, so we went to the Broken Boot Gold Mine. 

Tommy ready to mine!

We were give hard hats and a tour of this once real gold mine.  Most of the mine is made up of iron, iron pyrite(fool's gold) and graphite (which strangely enough was spongy feeling in spots)/  

Original Entrance to the mine

 Guess I never really thought about how rough mining could be.  The picture next door is of the original mine entrance.  No.. it's not collapsed.  The miners actually had to wiggle there way in through that space.  They worked by candle light, which our guide showed us - not much light at all.  One man would hold the iron stake and another would hammer.  The best way they could figure out to see where to hammer was to have one of the guys clean off his fingernail and place it over the end of the spike. The hammer man would count one two three and strike. Bet those miners would win at thumb wars-- they had to move those digits quick!

 I found some iron pyrite lying on the floor and any rocks you find on the floor you can keep so I can officially say I have mined in the Broken Boot Mine!  The biggest worry I had about it was hitting my head, which I managed to do twice.  Don't worry ..... my language didn't need watching!

After  the tour, we had the opportunity to pan for REAL gold.  I knew Tommy would love it so of course I made the sacrifice and joined him:)  He  was way better at it than I was and found way more gold.. That turkey.  We had fun though and I can now say I panned for gold and mined for gold and then I can say I found some gold!  Tee Hee.  

Think I'm all caught up on the trip now.  It's funny  how the driver who was awake ALL day is the one still awake at midnight and the two sleeping beauties in the car were asleep by 10.  Ah well, I'm sure I'll crash after the trip!  Too excited to do much sleeping until then!