Deadwood is known for its mining, lawlessness, and of course, gambling is part of it. The current temperature at the time is about 100F so I find a casino that offers some Texas Hold'em and decided to give it a try. I refused to play AA-88 as I am in the death place of Wild Bill Hickock who was shot in the back while playing. They don't offer a no limit game, but a spread limit 2-100 game just like in Colorado. It was a fun time hanging out and playing cards.
At about 6 PM they started a really weird tournament. It was a $45 buy-in with unlimited rebuys and add-ons. Each add-on cost $10 and was for 1000 in tournament chips. I guess some of the players decided to add-on an addition $200 to give them a better chance to win. I didn't play in it, but it sounds crazy.
I met a guy named Claus from Austria in the game. He is traveling around the US and playing poker along the way. The game broke about 11:30 and it had cooled off so I called it a night. Next stop, Mt Rushmore!!
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Devil's Tower and Deadwood - July 4th
I head west across the windy state of Wyoming on I-90. My plan is to make it to Deadwood and check out the old western town. I did just watch the first three sessions on Amazon and wanted to take a look at the place that made the show. As I'm driving down I-90 minding my own business, I pass a sign for Devil's Tower and decide to make the trip there.
I stop at the first overlook and find this cool sign and vatange point to take this picture.
Devil's tower from a few miles away.
I decided to get a closer look so I continued on to the park. Once at the tower, there is a trail you can follow around the base of the tower. It's only 90 degrees and sunny so I go for and take the trek.
Here are the picutres I took from the base.
Devil's Tower from the south I believe. There is a massive boulder field around the whole thing which is a pretty awesome sight.
Devil's Tower from the west. More boulders.
Devil's Tower from the east where is some shade. There are five climbers on this side near the top. I'm not sure you can see them here though.
Some signage about the Tower's formation.
Three young deer just chilling about 10 feet off the trail with about 25 people passing through here every 10 minutes.
More signage about how the Tower was created.
After about an hour here hitting my exercise goals, I decided to continue on my way to Deadwood. I arrive in Deadwood at about 7 in the pm and take a shower. I walk up and down the historic main street and it looks very much like Central City and Blackhawk in CO. Small casinos, restaurants, and souvegner shops line the street. As it gets dark I get to see some people lighting off some fireworks in the distance. Happy 4th of July Everyone!!!!
I decided to get a closer look so I continued on to the park. Once at the tower, there is a trail you can follow around the base of the tower. It's only 90 degrees and sunny so I go for and take the trek.
Here are the picutres I took from the base.
After about an hour here hitting my exercise goals, I decided to continue on my way to Deadwood. I arrive in Deadwood at about 7 in the pm and take a shower. I walk up and down the historic main street and it looks very much like Central City and Blackhawk in CO. Small casinos, restaurants, and souvegner shops line the street. As it gets dark I get to see some people lighting off some fireworks in the distance. Happy 4th of July Everyone!!!!
Saturday, July 8, 2017
Heading East Away from the Crowds - July 3rd
As the holiday approaches, more and more people are in the park. It is hard to find places to park off the roads at all the amazing things to see. The campgrounds are full everywhere. Traffic is a mess and the road construction is brutal. Being in Yellowstone right now is like being in a city.
I decide it is time to move off this super volcano and start heading east. I don't think I will be making it Glacier National Forest this time as I got about a 3 week later start then I had planned. I drive through Yellowstone to take the East exit which is HWY 14 and start heading towards Cody.
I arrived in Cody around 6 and decide I have driven far enough. I find a nice park to eat dinner at and find a free pool. This looks like as good a place to stay and go for a swim. The pool closes before I finish dinner, so I decide to just sleep here and go the next day. As it is the day before the 4th, some kids lit some fireworks off right oustide my window which scared the shit out of me at first, but makes me laugh now.
I decide it is time to move off this super volcano and start heading east. I don't think I will be making it Glacier National Forest this time as I got about a 3 week later start then I had planned. I drive through Yellowstone to take the East exit which is HWY 14 and start heading towards Cody.
I arrived in Cody around 6 and decide I have driven far enough. I find a nice park to eat dinner at and find a free pool. This looks like as good a place to stay and go for a swim. The pool closes before I finish dinner, so I decide to just sleep here and go the next day. As it is the day before the 4th, some kids lit some fireworks off right oustide my window which scared the shit out of me at first, but makes me laugh now.
RV's are like houses - July 2nd
This is the first time I've used my RV for an extended period. Today I woke up to a wet floor in the bathroom. This is not good. I do a little investigating and find that the supply line to the toilet is leaking. After some googling I learn there is a water valve on the toilet that leaks when it breaks. I find out the part number and after calling a few places I find there is one available in Bozeman, Mt. I decide to head there. It is about an hour from Yellowstone, but has some stores so I can resupply.
I take HWY 89 up to Livingston and then hop on I-90 to head to the RV store. I get there and they have the part. I head over to Walmart to get the supplies I need to replace it. The repair is pretty simple. Pull the toilet. Pop off the seat. Take off a covering over the valve. Unscrew and pop out old valve. It takes about 30 minutes and I hook everything back up. SUCCESS!
With a working toilet and fresh round of supplies, I head back to my free camping site just oustide Yellowstone. It's been pretty hot all day and the sun is about to go down. Time for dinner.
I take HWY 89 up to Livingston and then hop on I-90 to head to the RV store. I get there and they have the part. I head over to Walmart to get the supplies I need to replace it. The repair is pretty simple. Pull the toilet. Pop off the seat. Take off a covering over the valve. Unscrew and pop out old valve. It takes about 30 minutes and I hook everything back up. SUCCESS!
With a working toilet and fresh round of supplies, I head back to my free camping site just oustide Yellowstone. It's been pretty hot all day and the sun is about to go down. Time for dinner.
Exploring Yellowstone - June 29
Yellowstone National Forest is big, like really big. I decided to wake up really early to go and see some of the more popular sites before everyone else wakes up. The first stop I make is at the Liberty Cap and Devil's thumb thermal area.
I decided to check out some more cool thermal areas and found some cool pools and some other geyser all over the place.
This is a cool smoking pool with really blue water in it.
Here is a constant jet of water spouting out of the ground.
This pool of mud is just bubbling away.
Yellowstone is an amazing place.
Of course I need to see Yellowstone's most famous attraction so I head to see Old Faithful. Although it isn't the biggest or most regular geyser, it is the the most famous. I have to wait about 20 minutes for it to start but it was worth it.
I decided to check out some more cool thermal areas and found some cool pools and some other geyser all over the place.
This is a cool smoking pool with really blue water in it.
Saturday, July 1, 2017
A Day of Rest - June 28
After driving 800 miles in an RV I found that it is not as easy as driving a car. I had grand plans to get up at 6 am and drive into Yellowstone to beat the crowds at all the popular spots. Well, 10:30 rolls around and I find myself still asleep. No worries, I will just chill here and enjoy the quiet sounds of nature and organize the things I have in this RV.
The day gets away from me as I work on finding the right places to put everything. I also bought a fan that I mounted to get some air circulating as it gets pretty hot in here during the day. I make a list of things that need attention to make the RV life awesome.
I check the weather and it looks like rain and thunderstorms for tomorrow. That isn't exactly ideal for wandering around in the wilderness so I guess I will not be checking out Old Faithful tomorrow. No worries, I have plenty of time to explore. I guess tomorrow I will go and get those things I need instead.
The day gets away from me as I work on finding the right places to put everything. I also bought a fan that I mounted to get some air circulating as it gets pretty hot in here during the day. I make a list of things that need attention to make the RV life awesome.
I check the weather and it looks like rain and thunderstorms for tomorrow. That isn't exactly ideal for wandering around in the wilderness so I guess I will not be checking out Old Faithful tomorrow. No worries, I have plenty of time to explore. I guess tomorrow I will go and get those things I need instead.
Finally Getting Started - June 26
It took a little longer to sell my stuff and pair down to the essentials before I left. My stuff on craigslist definitely didn't move as fast I had hoped. But after two weeks of donations and some careful negotiations, I have finally gotten rid of most of the things I will not be needing. Along with the meticulous downsizing, I also had an issue with the solar setup I ordered on Amazon. I needed some special connectors to hook up all 4 panels. Luckily for me, my friend Mike is an excellent electrician. He spent Father's day helping me get it all installed and working. Thanks, Mike!
With the RV loaded up and wired to the max, I cleaned up my room and did a final sweep of my apartment. I filled up the fresh water tank and headed out. First stop was to the grocery store to load up on food for two weeks. Next stop was Verizon to get the internet in this thing. Third stop was at Calebella's to dump the tanks before heading north to Yellowstone.
I took I-25 north out of Denver up to Fort Collins where I got on HWY 287 to head up to Wyoming. The drive through those mountains was pretty spectacular and definitely windy. I made it to Lander, WY and decided to call it a night. I stayed in an RV park to flush and sanitize the tanks so I could use the onboard water tank.
The next day I headed the rest of the way up to Yellowstone on HWY 287 with takes you through the Grand Tetons. I arrived late in the day and found that every campsite in the park was full. I drove all the way from the south entrance to the north entrance which was pretty awesome. I tried to go check out the geysers, but every lot was full. So I decided to find a place to stay. I fired up the internet and found a free campsite just outside of Yellowstone on some BLM land. It was called Cabella's and was right on a river. It was very quiet and peaceful, with a few campers all around. This will work for a few days.
I took I-25 north out of Denver up to Fort Collins where I got on HWY 287 to head up to Wyoming. The drive through those mountains was pretty spectacular and definitely windy. I made it to Lander, WY and decided to call it a night. I stayed in an RV park to flush and sanitize the tanks so I could use the onboard water tank.
The next day I headed the rest of the way up to Yellowstone on HWY 287 with takes you through the Grand Tetons. I arrived late in the day and found that every campsite in the park was full. I drove all the way from the south entrance to the north entrance which was pretty awesome. I tried to go check out the geysers, but every lot was full. So I decided to find a place to stay. I fired up the internet and found a free campsite just outside of Yellowstone on some BLM land. It was called Cabella's and was right on a river. It was very quiet and peaceful, with a few campers all around. This will work for a few days.
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