DEADWEIRD SUMMARY

Day 1 - We left Colorado, cut across Wyoming, and eventually arrived in Deadwood (South Dakota). We were early enough to explore the historic downtown (including a tour of the old brothel and watching a short play about a local shoot-out). Then the Halloween costumes started to appear, the street was closed off, and we were allowed to drink special event beer out in public. The casinos and restaurants quickly became standing room only!

Day 2 - We headed to Bear Country USA, where one is allowed to drive in their own car (windows closed!) through some wildlife areas containing native animals... elk, reindeer, bighorn sheep, wolves, mountain lions and tons of black bears. There was also a smaller zoo with porcupines, a beaver, badgers, bobcats, foxes, coyotes and several highly playful baby bears. Afterwards, we popped over to the Cosmos Mystery Area, where we took a tour though an old building that defied gravity! Since we were just down the street from Mt. Rushmore, we couldn't resist a quick visit. We ended the day with a haunted mine tour, similar to a traditional haunted house with people jumping out of the dark to scare you.

Day 3 - We spent the morning at the Reptile Gardens in Keystone. Most of the outdoor exhibits (except for the prairie dogs) were closed due to the colder weather, but the huge sky dome was open and filled with tropical plants, birds, snakes, lizards, turtles, alligators and the like. We then bee-lined home.