National Parks, Canyons, Mount Rushmore & Little Big Horn (Sept/Oct 2013) - part two "The real start"

So Day three already and we are in Rapid City, and it was onto the coach for a ride out to visit Badlands National Park where our leader Wendy B led us safely through the Rattle Snake landscape.
Joking aside it really is a fascinating area.

Then we stopped at a place called Wall for Lunch, gorgeous Hot Beef sandwich i must admit. Then onwards to Mount Rushmore and the debate of which president will be next, ok Mr Obama you got the vote just beating Tony Blair.

 

 More amazing was the ongoing Crazy Horse memorial especially after seeing the film about the man who started it, really enjoyed the story and the fact his family have carried it on. Will it ever be finished ? who knows.

Then it was back to Rapid City for a quick change into our best clobber for the included welcome meal. All I can say about it was at least we had a good lunch earlier.
After a few beers to get rid of the taste of the meal it was bed for a good nights sleep ready for the morning.

At Breakfast the next day it had become apparent Wendy was always going to sit with Dot not through friendship more to do with she had a box of English teabags.

Then it was onward to Deadwood where we stopped at some Indian place where they used to chase Buffalos over a cliff. Dave decided to video a big bloke talking to us and was told not to, however not having his batterys he totally ignored numerous warnings but a arrow between the eyes did the trick. We were then introduced to a old Lakota Sioux Chief who was apparently famous and a war hero, he gave us a talk but they forgot to switch his microphone on and all we got was the fact he was a Paratrooper, didn't know they had them at the LBH but you live and learn.

It was then onto a school bus with some lunatic acting as a guide (actually he was hilarious and brilliant) and into Deadwood to see Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Janes Grave (yes still in bed together), also into the saloon to see actors play Wild Bills death scene at the Poker table.

Must admit I enjoy the old west so these are the sort of places I want on a touring holiday.


We eventually left Deadwood to head to our next hotel in Sheridan and as we arrived Wendy B pointed out a couple of places, first was a nice restaurant called Rib & Chop house and the 2nd a little bar called the OK Coral which we should avoid at all costs.

By this time as always on these trips people were splitting into smaller groups on a evening (makes sense to get tables in restaurants) and 8 of us often stuck together with others joining from time to time as groups arn't always a exact science. Must admit it was a really nice group and we had a good few laughs, our gang consisted along with myself, June, Dee-anne, Wendy, Claire, Steve, Mike & Derek.

Must agree the Rib & Chop house was great we all had different things yet enjoyed very much. Afterwards we made our way to the hotel for a couple of nightcaps, strangely after one drink the bar closed at 10-30pm so most of the gang disapeared.
Steve and myself were just hitting form so there was only one thing for it the OK Coral which turned out to be a small room at the back of a shop. Wasn't too many customers in the place but what was in were Lakota Sioux Indians, was obviously the local watering hole. Nobody bothered us until we went for a 2nd beer and the heard our Yorkshire accents so asked about where we are from.
They were friendly but when we wanted to leave insisted we couldn't go until we had a drink with them, shots were poured. Well it must have been the local brew because i can only describe it as alcoholic cough medicine, it blew your head off. Eventually we escaped and must admit slept very well from the moment my head hit the pillow.
Apparently in the early hours a mad man was been chased around the hotel by security banging on doors but i never heard a thing and no i didn't fit the desciption.

No rest for the wicked and next day it was on to the Little Big Horn, the story was of interest to me its something we all know happend but to see how and why was good. They've put stones where each person fell which helps you see the big picture.




Overnight was in Cody and just over the road from our hotel was the old town trail a old western town with a bit of history. A few of us went for a look and it was interesting, apparently the Hole in the Wall (Butch & Sundance) gang had a cabin there. Also the mountain man Jeremiah Johnson (check out the Robert Redford film)was from there are we saw his grave.
Apparently some of the rooms at the hotel didn't have any hot water (fault) but been a gentleman I did offer to share my shower with some of the ladies, but wasn't taken up on my offer.

A place down the road where we ate had live music, ok was country which isn't my first choice but when in Rome (or this case Wyoming) you gotta go.

This is where we first discovered our own Fred & Ginger with Roy & Dee-anne who put the local cowboys to shame on the dance floor. Roy was brilliant really loved his dancing yet was one of the oldest in the group, great stuff.


Next it was the massive Yellowstone National Park and we were so lucky seeing lots of the animals, from Grizzles, Brown Bears, Elk, Bison, etc.

The scenary was stunning photos don't even do it justice you've just got to be there and see things first hand.







Following Yellowstone it was through the Grand Tetons in Wyoming the scenary was just getting better, found a little church and what a stunning view out of the window.

 

Next stop it was to Salt Lake City for a couple of nights, a couple of young Mormon ladies met us off our coach and gave us an introuction.

Its a nice clean City and on our full day there went on a City tour which included Park City (mining town). Th tour also took us to the Great Salt Lake but I wasn't impressed if I'm been honest.

One thing I'll say is the food was good we had lunch folowing our tour at the Cheescake Factory (rude not to) before venturing up the tallest building which had stunning views.

Our two nights there the group I was with ate at a Chinese (PF Changs) and Italian (Macaronis) restaurant,both were superb I've got to say.

Well thats part two of this trip, part three "America is Closed" to follow.