Spearfish Canyon

Spearfish Canyon Lodge

Bridal Veil Falls

Deadwood, SD: A beautiful morning—sunny and warm. We had breakfast at the Iron Horse Inn in Deadwood and then headed out to drive the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. This was the most spectacular drive. The road followed Spearfish Creek at the bottom (thank God) of this beautiful canyon with spectacular granite bluffs on both sides of the road. Passed some spectacular log homes on this road right on the creek. Stopped at Roughlock Falls and took some pictures. Also at Bridal Veil Falls. The town of Spearfish is really nice—not as much history and character as Deadwood, but would be a great place to live—at least in the summer. In fact Kevin Costner’s parents bought a home and retired here. We had originally planned on making a loop by taking the highway back to Deadwood, but it was such a spectacular drive we decided to go back through the canyon again. We stopped for something to eat at the Spearfish Chop House and Whiskey Bar and then continued on. About halfway back we took a dirt road that went up a beautiful side canyon, which is where they filmed the last scene in “Dances With Wolves”. Also stopped at the Spearfish Lodge which is a huge log structure in the middle of the canyon with spectacular views. Reminded me of some of the huge lodges in some of the national parks and also in the Adirondacks. Finished the drive and then stopped back in Deadwood for some more slots. Mike did well again. Me not so good. Had pizza at the Ugly Horse Pub and then back to the campground. It hit 86 degrees today. That’s more like it!