Adventures In Deadwood, South Dakota
A FEW THINGS-- Before I get started I would like to thank my wonderful friends who are guiding me along this journey--I love good constructive conversations as they guide me to find my niche so to speak. I have enjoyed being around people who encourage.
I grew up in Deadwood, SD. 906 Main St to be exact (Upper Main St). My father created "The Original Deadwood Tour" in 1979. I grew up hearing stories of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Gold, Guns, Girls and Glory. At the time I was to young to understand about brothels-- but my father had a shirt (actually he STILL has this shirt) that says "I was there when Pam's Purple Door closed down." (1980?) Winter time was not exciting for me growing up in Deadwood--but when summer rolled around--it was time to work.
Deadwood was a tourist town--I spent the summers--either selling tickets for my dad tour bus, making sub sandwiches at Big E's Sub Shop, selling Black Hills Gold jewelry at the Gold Nugget, or serving T-bone steaks at the Bodega. My dad worked from sun up to sun down hauling tourists back and forth to the famous Mt. Moriah cemetery and every night we had the shoot-out at the Saloon #10 down town Main St. to begin the "Trial of Jack McCall". Looking back I realize how blessed I was to be a part of such an amazing town---a community I really miss.
As life changes--so does a town. Deadwood decided to go truly wild west when South Dakota made gambling legal and my hometown changed forever. I remember that day--we watched store after store after store close it's doors and casino after casino move in. Places I worked no longer existed--people came to Deadwood to live and I felt our beautiful space was invaded by all of these strangers. I was not impressed. However--Deadwood became super pretty. The cobblestone streets and the buildings were restored. Deadwood became so beautiful it almost looked like a movie set. But there was a flip side to Deadwood--it was no longer a a family town--it was a gambling town. And frankly--if you weren't 21 there was no reason for you be there and that was a shame.
Fast forward to 2019. My love for Deadwood has never changed. Maybe it was growing up in the tourist industry, listening to my Dad tell the amazing stories of this colorful town, booking and confirming tours, or maybe it was the beauty of the mountains, the thinner air and the overall smell of the trees. Deadwood is special--and I want my kids to know just how special it is.
I have made many trips to Deadwood in the last 20 years to see my family. But I have never really thought about talking about it--until now. Here are my thoughts.
My son (9 years old), my daughter (18 years old) and I went out to Deadwood two different times between December and January. Here was our experience.
In December--we stayed at "The Lodge" located on the edge of Deadwood. I got a great deal on Hotels.com and got a two queen room for 127.00 a night. Everything is there--food, hot tub, and kids pool. My son was happy he could swim--we absolutely LOVED the food. We had wonderful service. The room was nice--walls were thick, the television was updated and great parking. We stay at "The Lodge" a lot--and mainly it is because of the kids pool.
In January we stayed at "Hickok's" right in the heart of down town Deadwood. We were able to get a suite that was very spacious--almost like a little apartment. It had two separate rooms--one had a king size bed, the other room had the two queens. Nice little living space with a couch, TV, little fridge and a "fireplace". The bathroom was HUGE--and had a Jacuzzi tub. There was a lot of old world charm. With that old world charm comes typical issues--not many plug ins, thin walls and there was only one TV that was updated--now do updated TVs bother me? Hell no...but it might bother others--so take note.
Parking at Hickok's required parking at the city parking lot three blocks away--so we had to unload in front of the casino. Because I had my son with me--he had to hold my hand through the casino because he was a kid. (when I was younger I could stand behind my dad while he was playing slot machines--but because a casino got in trouble for kids under 21 playing slots NO CHILD is allowed on the casino floor---take note). After getting to the hotel and getting comfortable--my son and daughter stayed in the room to rest and I went downstairs to have a glass of wine. The wine at Hickok's was good and the cheese bread was amazing--next time I am there I plan to try the Pizza. The service was amazing--most of the employees know my dad or my brother so I just have to say I am a relative and the stories begin to flow. Getting back to the room my son wanted to "swim" in the Jacuzzi tub and he really enjoyed playing in the tub. That night there was a concert at "Deadwood Mountain Grand" and I don't know what was going on--if it is the voices of the people that are bouncing off the cobblestone--or if the buildings created a tunnel but everyone was just VERY loud. I have a hard time believing it was just because the people were yelling--but then again--it IS Deadwood. We found out later that night that the hotel's walls were pretty thin because the couple upstairs had some pretty loud sex (and she wasn't enjoying it NEARLY as much as he was) and that woke up my 9 year son. So how fun were all the questions you might ask? It wasn't freaking fun AT ALL. After playing the "I don't know what was going on" game--my son finally went back to sleep--and then the bars closed and we had street noise.
We stayed downtown Deadwood for two nights. The reason we chose to stay downtown was because my nephew had a swim meet and we could just walk back and forth to the meet. While staying downtown we ate breakfast at Wooden Nickel and I had my first mimosa (came with a souvenir glass). They had a great breakfast menu--I recommend it. We also ate supper at Mustang Sally's. I absolutely recommend this place. They have wonderful burgers--sports themed restaurant and very affordable. The best part of this restaurant is my kids felt they could actually relax. It was a great family meal.
There are two worlds when it comes to Deadwood, South Dakota. There is the family side and the party side. If you choose to visit this town--you will need to chose what you decide to do wisely. We have skiing, snowmobiling and a wonderful winter line up. If you bring your family you need to research your hotels and choose wisely. "The Lodge" works for us when my son is making the trip with me everything is right there and I really like that. If I were having a girls weekend or a weekend with my husband--I would definitely stay at Hickok's because the location downtown is perfect--you can go straight to the casinos and back to the hotel. No driving needed. Everything is right there for a great time.
I think Deadwood is still trying to balance between being a family town and a gambling town and I hope they continue to come up with great events for families and for those that want a weekend away from their family. I am very proud to have grown up in that community. I go back probably once a month and I always take the drive up main street and reminisce about the the weekends watching my high school classmates cruise Main St. I drive by Pack Horse and think about the daily trips with my friend Tanya filling up with candy before walking our paper routes. I drive by the building that use to be the local laundromat where I spent many hours there visiting with my friend Lynn. Now that I am getting older I cherish those memories more and more everyday.
I can't encourage you enough to head to Deadwood and check out this gem of a town. It will be well worth your time.
Until Next Week--Kristi
KRISTI SPILLS THE TEA-- Last week I talked about the increase in membership fees with our local Civic & Commerce group. I see there is a lot of action on their Facebook page explaining the purpose of the group and reminded the public of all that they do to provide for the community. No one is really arguing with that. The membership fee is to damn high. I am not discouraging anyone from joining it just isn't going to be me. And as far as the alliance statement goes--anyone who has ever been involved in a community group--or any group knows that alliances form--so put your cape away--it is nothing new. Just take note at meetings and make sure it is for the community and NOT a free marketing opportunity for a sole bursiness. That's all.
I am moving on....I have been reading a book called "You are a Bad Ass--How to stop doubting your greatness and start living an awesome life." by Jen Sincero. Good Grief that is a long title. Anyways--It is a different style of reading for me--she is talking to you--trying to have a conversation with you. At first I was like--good grief ANYONE can write a book but I have to say it started to grow on me. I read a chapter and wrote in my journal and I made a very unexpected decision. A light bulb went off and I couldn't believe I wrote it down. I walked away--slept on it a few days went back and re-read the chapter. I then went back and re-read the journal entry and I realized that this decision IS final. I cried...I am still mourning. It breaks my heart. You will all know soon enough--when the time is right. This weekend I actually slept, laughed, rested and relaxed. This book is changing my life and I almost pitched it in the trash. Changes are wonderful--and I like being a Bad Ass. Kristi
I grew up in Deadwood, SD. 906 Main St to be exact (Upper Main St). My father created "The Original Deadwood Tour" in 1979. I grew up hearing stories of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Gold, Guns, Girls and Glory. At the time I was to young to understand about brothels-- but my father had a shirt (actually he STILL has this shirt) that says "I was there when Pam's Purple Door closed down." (1980?) Winter time was not exciting for me growing up in Deadwood--but when summer rolled around--it was time to work.
Deadwood was a tourist town--I spent the summers--either selling tickets for my dad tour bus, making sub sandwiches at Big E's Sub Shop, selling Black Hills Gold jewelry at the Gold Nugget, or serving T-bone steaks at the Bodega. My dad worked from sun up to sun down hauling tourists back and forth to the famous Mt. Moriah cemetery and every night we had the shoot-out at the Saloon #10 down town Main St. to begin the "Trial of Jack McCall". Looking back I realize how blessed I was to be a part of such an amazing town---a community I really miss.
As life changes--so does a town. Deadwood decided to go truly wild west when South Dakota made gambling legal and my hometown changed forever. I remember that day--we watched store after store after store close it's doors and casino after casino move in. Places I worked no longer existed--people came to Deadwood to live and I felt our beautiful space was invaded by all of these strangers. I was not impressed. However--Deadwood became super pretty. The cobblestone streets and the buildings were restored. Deadwood became so beautiful it almost looked like a movie set. But there was a flip side to Deadwood--it was no longer a a family town--it was a gambling town. And frankly--if you weren't 21 there was no reason for you be there and that was a shame.
Fast forward to 2019. My love for Deadwood has never changed. Maybe it was growing up in the tourist industry, listening to my Dad tell the amazing stories of this colorful town, booking and confirming tours, or maybe it was the beauty of the mountains, the thinner air and the overall smell of the trees. Deadwood is special--and I want my kids to know just how special it is.
I have made many trips to Deadwood in the last 20 years to see my family. But I have never really thought about talking about it--until now. Here are my thoughts.
My son (9 years old), my daughter (18 years old) and I went out to Deadwood two different times between December and January. Here was our experience.
In December--we stayed at "The Lodge" located on the edge of Deadwood. I got a great deal on Hotels.com and got a two queen room for 127.00 a night. Everything is there--food, hot tub, and kids pool. My son was happy he could swim--we absolutely LOVED the food. We had wonderful service. The room was nice--walls were thick, the television was updated and great parking. We stay at "The Lodge" a lot--and mainly it is because of the kids pool.
In January we stayed at "Hickok's" right in the heart of down town Deadwood. We were able to get a suite that was very spacious--almost like a little apartment. It had two separate rooms--one had a king size bed, the other room had the two queens. Nice little living space with a couch, TV, little fridge and a "fireplace". The bathroom was HUGE--and had a Jacuzzi tub. There was a lot of old world charm. With that old world charm comes typical issues--not many plug ins, thin walls and there was only one TV that was updated--now do updated TVs bother me? Hell no...but it might bother others--so take note.
Parking at Hickok's required parking at the city parking lot three blocks away--so we had to unload in front of the casino. Because I had my son with me--he had to hold my hand through the casino because he was a kid. (when I was younger I could stand behind my dad while he was playing slot machines--but because a casino got in trouble for kids under 21 playing slots NO CHILD is allowed on the casino floor---take note). After getting to the hotel and getting comfortable--my son and daughter stayed in the room to rest and I went downstairs to have a glass of wine. The wine at Hickok's was good and the cheese bread was amazing--next time I am there I plan to try the Pizza. The service was amazing--most of the employees know my dad or my brother so I just have to say I am a relative and the stories begin to flow. Getting back to the room my son wanted to "swim" in the Jacuzzi tub and he really enjoyed playing in the tub. That night there was a concert at "Deadwood Mountain Grand" and I don't know what was going on--if it is the voices of the people that are bouncing off the cobblestone--or if the buildings created a tunnel but everyone was just VERY loud. I have a hard time believing it was just because the people were yelling--but then again--it IS Deadwood. We found out later that night that the hotel's walls were pretty thin because the couple upstairs had some pretty loud sex (and she wasn't enjoying it NEARLY as much as he was) and that woke up my 9 year son. So how fun were all the questions you might ask? It wasn't freaking fun AT ALL. After playing the "I don't know what was going on" game--my son finally went back to sleep--and then the bars closed and we had street noise.
We stayed downtown Deadwood for two nights. The reason we chose to stay downtown was because my nephew had a swim meet and we could just walk back and forth to the meet. While staying downtown we ate breakfast at Wooden Nickel and I had my first mimosa (came with a souvenir glass). They had a great breakfast menu--I recommend it. We also ate supper at Mustang Sally's. I absolutely recommend this place. They have wonderful burgers--sports themed restaurant and very affordable. The best part of this restaurant is my kids felt they could actually relax. It was a great family meal.
There are two worlds when it comes to Deadwood, South Dakota. There is the family side and the party side. If you choose to visit this town--you will need to chose what you decide to do wisely. We have skiing, snowmobiling and a wonderful winter line up. If you bring your family you need to research your hotels and choose wisely. "The Lodge" works for us when my son is making the trip with me everything is right there and I really like that. If I were having a girls weekend or a weekend with my husband--I would definitely stay at Hickok's because the location downtown is perfect--you can go straight to the casinos and back to the hotel. No driving needed. Everything is right there for a great time.
I think Deadwood is still trying to balance between being a family town and a gambling town and I hope they continue to come up with great events for families and for those that want a weekend away from their family. I am very proud to have grown up in that community. I go back probably once a month and I always take the drive up main street and reminisce about the the weekends watching my high school classmates cruise Main St. I drive by Pack Horse and think about the daily trips with my friend Tanya filling up with candy before walking our paper routes. I drive by the building that use to be the local laundromat where I spent many hours there visiting with my friend Lynn. Now that I am getting older I cherish those memories more and more everyday.
I can't encourage you enough to head to Deadwood and check out this gem of a town. It will be well worth your time.
Until Next Week--Kristi
KRISTI SPILLS THE TEA-- Last week I talked about the increase in membership fees with our local Civic & Commerce group. I see there is a lot of action on their Facebook page explaining the purpose of the group and reminded the public of all that they do to provide for the community. No one is really arguing with that. The membership fee is to damn high. I am not discouraging anyone from joining it just isn't going to be me. And as far as the alliance statement goes--anyone who has ever been involved in a community group--or any group knows that alliances form--so put your cape away--it is nothing new. Just take note at meetings and make sure it is for the community and NOT a free marketing opportunity for a sole bursiness. That's all.
I am moving on....I have been reading a book called "You are a Bad Ass--How to stop doubting your greatness and start living an awesome life." by Jen Sincero. Good Grief that is a long title. Anyways--It is a different style of reading for me--she is talking to you--trying to have a conversation with you. At first I was like--good grief ANYONE can write a book but I have to say it started to grow on me. I read a chapter and wrote in my journal and I made a very unexpected decision. A light bulb went off and I couldn't believe I wrote it down. I walked away--slept on it a few days went back and re-read the chapter. I then went back and re-read the journal entry and I realized that this decision IS final. I cried...I am still mourning. It breaks my heart. You will all know soon enough--when the time is right. This weekend I actually slept, laughed, rested and relaxed. This book is changing my life and I almost pitched it in the trash. Changes are wonderful--and I like being a Bad Ass. Kristi
Comments
Post a Comment