2012 Trip "Out West" - Tue, Day 11 (Hill City, SD to Lead, Deadwood, Spearfish, Keystone, Custer & back to Hill City, SD)

Another early rise at 5 am and walk downtown to get a cup of coffee! Here is the sunrise in Hill City this morning!!

After more coffee and muffins in the lobby of the Lantern Inn I headed out towards Lead and Deadwood. Just had to stop at Boondocks along US 385. I got a great parking spot and some good photo opportunities!!

 My modern motorcycle with old gold mining equipment in Lead, SD

The gold mine PIT in Lead, SD. This is one gigantic PIT!!

No pictures of Deadwood. I did ride through town. I just never can "get into" Deadwood. A lot of history there, BUT it is the most commercialized town in the Black Hills, especially with all its gambling casinos. No parking anywhere except meters. A lot of tourists too. Anyway, no pics of Deadwood!!

 Osprey nest in the old mining town of Silver City, SD. Great motorcycle road on SR 321 off of US 385 into Silver City. Lots of tight curves!

Took the Old Hill City road (SR 323) over to Keystone. This is a neat motorcycle road (lot's of those in the Black Hills!!). Charlie put me onto this road years ago. It basically follows the tracks of the old Black Hills railroad, as a matter of fact, it crossed the tracks at least 14 times in the 10 miles!! I had to wait for the train to pass at one crossing.

Downtown Keystone. I like Keystone. It is a real old downtown with a lot of character. Only problem it is the prime town for Mt Rushmore so you get all the tourists that stay in Keystone!!

I like this side view of ole George!!

One more piece of rhubarb pie from The Purple Pie Place in Custer, SD on my way back!!

Didn't have any rain at the Lantern Inn but had a really neat rainbow. You could see the various colors and it was so wide too. The pics don't do it justice as usual!!

My Lantern Inn "neighbors" from Victoria, British Columbia. They were some neat folks. They were touring the Black Hills in their car. They had flown to Saskatchewan and rented a car. Funny, he said he was starting to get used to and actually like the sound of all the Harleys in the parking lot!! They came to Victoria from Germany in 1966. He is a retired plumber. We probably talked for a at least an hour. Talked about the socialized medicine in Canada. Said his wife only had to wait for 8 months to get a knee replacement under the socialized medical plan in Canada. They were given one Doctor to go to and that was his waiting list time. Nothing they could do about it!!

My last walk downtown Hill City for this year.

Leaving out in the morning to head back East! Plan to go back though the Sand Hills of Nebraska. Came through the Sand Hills back in 2005. Just looking for an alternative to I-90 across South Dakota. I have done that ride on I-90 several times and it gets old fast!!!