Alzada, Montana and back through Belle Fourche and Spearfish South Dakota

   We got up and headed 65 miles northwest into Montana. Darlene and I got to scratch off another state visited. There is very little in Alzada, Montana; a post office, a church and an old biker bar and grill…Stoneville Saloon. I can only imagine the stories these walls could tell if they could talk. You pull into the parking lot and see the rustic building that houses the bar and grill. The sign says cheap drinks and lousy food. If you look to the right you will see the old rustic outdoor concert area complete with stage, tables, and benches. I understand this place has live music on the weekends and is really crowded the week of the Sturgis rally. It even has an open coffin ready for troublemakers. We can headed back inside and just to the right of the door was a “Liars Bench.”

   We stepped inside and were just amazed at the old antiques, relics, and memorabilla. The old juke box was playing traditional country tunes, a couple of customers were at the old bar having a cold beverage, and 5 locals came in right after us to eat. Darlene and I decided to eat lunch there. We had hamburgers and sweet tea which was pretty good.

   We finished lunch and headed back into South Dakota. We went through Belle Fourche. Darlene remembered where we had heard of that town; in the movie “The Cowboys” with John Wayne. That was the town they were driving the cattle to. We stopped at The Tri State Museum. The museum had many 1870 and newer exhibits honoring the old west, the military, the Indian Nations, and the heritage of the region. It also had the geographical center if the country. Well, close to the geographical center. It is actually 4 miles from there but the rancher would not sell his land.

   We noticed “The Searchers” was playing on a TV to honor the western heritage. We saw an old preserved cabin from the late 1870″s. It had three rooms; the kitchen area with a very old iron wood burning stove, a table with a bench, a rocker in front of the fireplace and a small bed in one corner. The other room had a bed and a table with a pitcher and wash bowl. The bathroom would have been outside at that time. We enjoyed the museum and I recommend stopping to see it. Well worth the time.

   Next up: Spearfish Canyon, still heading back toward Deadwood. The canyon is beautiful and picturesque. High rock walls, ponderosa pines, evergreens, and waterfalls. There is also plenty of hiking trails. This canyon reminded Darlene and I of Little River Canyon near us back home in Alabama. The biggest difference in the two is that Little River Canyon is like The Grand Canyon; you are on the top looking down into the canyons. Here at Spearfish Canyon, you are in the valleys looking up. We enjoyed seeing Bridal Veil Falls and Roughlock Falls. We also enjoyed an old hydro plant that is still operational from 1907.

   Darlene and I got back into Deadwood with just enough time to go to Mt Moriah Cemetery and pay our respects to Wild Bill. There is something about seeing a cemetery with graves from the 1870’s. There are all the famous characters and paupers from this frontier town.

   We had a long but good day and were ready to eat. We went to Cadillac Jack’s and had a filet, baked potato, a wedge, and toast. The best part? It was only $21. The meal was really good. I highly recommend anyone eating at the Flyt Steakhouse in Cadillac Jacks.

   Check back in a few days as we finish one more day in the Black Hills area of South Dakota.