A man holding aces and eights with his back to the door of the Nuttal & Mann’s Saloon; another man shortly thereafter coming into a town a bit further west and bragging about the killin’ and getting away with it…. until of course he was hanged!
These two towns in South Dakota and Wyoming, Deadwood and Cheyenne would be forever linked together in the history books because of the shooting of Wild Bill Hickok and the outlaw at the other end of the gun, John ‘Broken Nose Jack’ McCall on that fateful day back in 1876.
History came alive as Buddy and I spent time in each of these two cities born out of the fervor of opportunity and the search for gold in the 1800’s. Although very different in their appearance, the lingering of debauchery, lawlessness, and desire to strike it rich could still be experienced through the retelling of the old west tales of these prairie lands. Both downtown Cheyenne and Deadwood have been characteristically preserved, but I do have to say that the latter still has that feeling of ruggedness around its edges- from the Main Street structures(rebuilt a few times as a result of fires and floods), and the simulated gun fights and selling of magical healing elixirs as we strolled through the center of town.
An interesting view into the many Deadwood storefronts was the colorful blinking lights of slot machines while many of the eateries were tucked out of view in the back of the buildings. I can only imagine the classic western movie scene of gamblers, rustlers, and brothel ladies coming to life here in Deadwood!
Buddy and I thoroughly enjoyed this peak back into time through the eyes of Cheyenne and Deadwood. I highly recommend taking the trolley tour through Cheyenne and would consider making a visit during its Frontier Days celebration held each summer.
The reintroduction to the characters and stories of these areas has certainly peaked my interest in the Old West days and fueled the desire to delve deeper into the exploration and settling of the West- the good, the bad and the ugly(no movie reference intended!)
Included are links for each town for you to explore and plan your next Western adventure!(Remember to hover over the italics)
Coming next… a brief personal perspective about our western heritage and pictorial post of Crazy Horse and Mt. Rushmore monuments and surrounding Custer National Park areas.
I’m taking a little detour from my ‘On the Road Again’ saga; appropriately so as we continue our RV adventures from one coast to another! In past posts, I have shared adventures through Seattle and Boston. Check them out for interesting adventures/fun facts if considering visiting or possibly setting up new digs.
I am consolidating Colorado Springs and Ft. Collins in this post and will write about the Black Hills/Mt. Rushmore area in S. Dakota as Buddy and I begin to explore these historical wonders of our country.
Passin’ through(hover over the italicized names to link to the website)… Buddy and I spent the day in Old Colorado City walking the kitchy old style downtown while eyeing a variety of unique shops and tasty eateries. We enjoyed a yummy lunch at La Baguette and I sampled a chocolate éclair that brought back sweet childhood memories of eating this creamy pudding filled chocolate topped pastry with my dad. Another common sight in most areas of Colorado(besides the occasional green crosses highlighting the local dispensaries) are the pubs… no shortage of brews on tap in this state!
Garden of the Gods is the magical backdrop of Colorado Springs and a haven for rock climbers- hence the name of this post: Can you find the rock climbers in each of these pictures?? Scroll down in the Photo Gallery and find the climbers!
The surrounding community next to this incredible landscape seemed no different than other Colorado residential areas. BUT, take one turn and towering majestic red and grey rock formations come into view. We experienced different perspectives of the same rock formations as we meandered through the various jagged and pot marked stone groupings jutting out of the red Colorado soil.
And, the icing on the cake was witnessing the many rock climbers prepping their ropes with their partners to ascend the irregular stone giants and then gently tap against the rock’s side as they rappelled their way back to the flat ground below. In some cases, the climber would take a brief pause at the top and raise both arms high above to celebrate his climbing victory. Of course, my victory would only need to include keeping both feet on the flat ground below at ALL times!
Moving on to Ft. Collins, Colorado… this was a spontaneous stop due to Mother Nature blowing her breath in strong gusts along the open countryside(not a good combo for RVers). Buddy and I explored the historic Old Town and home to the Colorado State University Rams- CAM the RAM.
We found this downtown area to be an enjoyable walk from the town square park that included an unexpected treasure of history
and ended up on the main street with classic style brick buildings as well as a fun college vibe. Buddy and I enjoyed a tasty lunch at Austin’s American Grill and stopped by the nearby cookie shop for a buy 6 and get 2 free deal. Did I forget to mention the 15+ variety of Frisbee sized cookies to choose from? It was soooooo hard to decide!
… Sweet memories of a couple of days on the road as we make our way to spend time in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Five Fun Facts about each of these areas:
Colorado Springs:
The United States Air Force Academy is located in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is the second largest city founded in 1871
Colorado Springs is rated as the number 1 physically fit cities in the U.S.
‘America the Beautiful’ was written by Katharine Lee Bates after visiting the city
This city is one of the sunniest places in the country with more than 300 days of sunshine per year.
Ft. Collins:
Old Town Ft. Collins served as the inspiration for Main Street USA in Disneyland
It is illegal to ride a horse while under the influence in Ft. Collins
More than 60, 000 Canadian geese winter in Ft. Collins
Ft. Collins also enjoys over 300 sunny days per year
Home to the original trolley car west of the Mississippi, Car21 has been fully restored and is still in operation May through September
Colorado:
Colorado has the highest mean altitude of all the United States
Colorado has more microbreweries per capita than any other state
The first license plate was issued in 1908 in Denver, Colorado
It is illegal to throw snowballs at a person or building in Aspen, Colo.
The first Teddy Bear was invented by maids at The Hotel Colorado in anticipation of giving it to its famous visitor, Theodore Roosevelt.
As I previously wrote about the city of Seattle, my and Buddy’s vacation travels gave me the idea to post info. about the areas we visit from a ‘Could I live here?’ perspective. Whether you may be planning a move or vacation, I’ve included the following:
Accessibility -Navigating the area
Activities -Things to do
Affordability -Cost of living
BOSTON, MASS.
Accessibility: Boston is a beautiful city with a unique blend of our Country’s early American and modern architecture, entertainment, education, parks, and waterways. It is an easily walkable city, but also has a local rail system and bus lines that timely serves the need for people moving.
The city of Boston has many one-way streets and alley/corridors that go back to horse and carriage days- too narrow for our gas powered cars but continue today as pedestrian passageways. There are also a few remaining cobblestone streets(check out beautiful Acorn Street in Beacon Hill) and brick sidewalks in some areas of the city- including the infamous 2 ½ mile Freedom Trail that extends between the Boston Common and Bunker Hill.
Acorn Street
We all know that Boston enjoys the beauty of having four seasons with winter lasting approximately 3 months and an average snowfall of about 44 inches. Summertime can get hot and humid with July generally being the hottest month and September having the highest humidity. Wind is not a great factor in Boston but prepare for some gusty strong breezes in early spring. Having the appropriate gear- depending upon the time of year, will help make navigating the city more enjoyable.
Activities: A first on the list when visiting Boston is to take the on/off trolley or bus attraction to see this city’s historic and entertainment highlights. You can stop at a variety of locations or just stay on the open air vehicle to view the city’s historic gems: U.S.S. Constitution, Old North Church, site of the Boston Massacre and Old State House, Boston Commons and State House, and of course Fenway Park and Harvard University, to name just a few!
Whether you are walking along the Charles River, taking a stroll through Beacon Hill, North End or down Commonwealth Ave., there are many more places and parks to explore and enjoy! The beauty of this city’s historic and modern architectural structures, gardens and squares, along with the energy and aromas of the local restaurants and pubs, add to Boston’s appeal and attraction.
Paul Revere’s landing
I can’t really pin point to any one place or activity in Boston that I would consider a favorite. There are just too many from which to choose! Standing at historical sites I learned about in American History- such as Paul Revere’s ride or the Battle of Bunker Hill- is an amazing experience in and of itself! But then, sitting inside Bleacher Bar, being at eye level of Fenway Park’s center field and next to ‘Green Monster’ is a ‘to do’ on the ol’ bucket list!
What I can say is that Boston is full of ‘The First…’ ,‘The Oldest….’ or ‘The Last Remaining…..’! We visited the oldest operating Bar in Boston(Bell In Hand) the oldest ballpark in the U.S. (Fenway) and the first public park(Boston Common). Of course, Boston’s last remaining snow melt from the historic 2015 snowfall didn’t happen until July of that year!
Affordability As with Seattle, Boston ain’t cheap, either! Approximately half of the city’s population are students who are attending the many prestigious(and expensive!) colleges and universities in the area. Apartments in Boston average about $2,500/month and a one bedroom runs close to $2000/montb. The outlaying areas of Somerville and Cambridge run even slightly more than the city area rent costs.
There are a number of desirable areas in the heart of the city, such as Commonwealth Ave., North end, and Beacon Hill. A home in these areas of Boston carry price tags easily over the million dollar mark! And be prepared to get on the waiting list and shell out another couple hundred thousand for a personal parking space in the nearby garage! One unique advantage of this area of the country is the ability to rent or buy a home that has true historical significance.
In case you are not a city guy or gal, there are many beautiful areas outside of the city that offer stunning rolling New England countryside and beaches that offer their own village charm and stories of American history. We visited the beautiful (and tasty!) http://www.RussellOrchards.com in Ipswich, Mass. The drive was beautiful, especially with the changing leaves of the fall season!
Russell Farms
Five (or more) Fun Facts about Boston:
*The statue at Harvard University is not that of John Harvard, its founding father.
*‘Happy Hour’ is against the law in Boston
*Boston experienced a massive ‘molasses flood’ in 1919
*Candlestick bowling had it’s start in Boston
*$100 million dollars of paintings are still missing from a great heist at the Isabella Gardner Museum in 1990
*More people walk to work in Boston as compared with other major U.S. cities
*Christmas was banned by the pilgrims in Boston for 22 years during the late 1600’s
*The first subway and chocolate factory was built in Boston
Since Buddy and I have begun traveling a bit more, I thought it would be fun to highlight different locations from a ‘Could we live here’ perspective. There are other factors to consider when seriously contemplating a move, but you may find these details helpful in planning a vacation adventure!
I’ve included the three ‘A’s:
Accessibility Navigating the area
Activities Things to do
Affordability Cost of living
And just for kicks and giggles, I will include Five Fun Facts about each location. It may be just the information you need for your next trivia game!
SEATTLE, WA.
Accessibility My first impression of Seattle is that it is a culturally diverse and hilly city with a beautiful coastline! The downtown area is very accessible by walking, bus, or rail and the various ferries can transport you into a different world of the nearby surrounding islands. No matter the area, Seattle and its neighboring communities never seem to lose their woodsy or seafaring appeal.
City traffic, one way streets and designated bus lanes can be a little daunting for the ‘suburban’ driver; but transportation options like Uber and Lyft can get you in and out of the immediate city limits with ease. It is also not uncommon to see many of the locals getting from place to place on their ‘gently used’ bicycles.
Of course, weather must be considered in the accessibility factor- it rains alot(!) and snow is not uncommon, although not typically in significant amounts during the winter months(Nov- March). It’s wise to have a jacket or sweater available as well as an umbrella for that unexpected change in weather.
Activities What can I say about a city that has over 400 stunning parks, approximately 40 museums, and a city shoreline that is home to the famous Pike’s Market? And there are more interesting and culturally diverse places to eat than I have ever experienced! Definitely a ‘foodie’s’ paradise!
Seattle has a colorful and very interesting history; the building architecture- both old and new- frame the sky. Two unique architectural icons are the Space Needle and Monorail built in the 1960’s for the World’s Fair – scenes straight out of a cartoon from The Jetsons!
A must see is Victorian Pioneer Square with its underground city and stories of a raunchy origin. And who can miss a few fish getting tossed at the famous Pike’s Market? At almost every turn, modern architecture commercial/residential high rise boxes pop up indiscriminately in many of the neighborhoods.
The immediate areas surrounding downtown Seattle are often experienced like witnessing a walking carnival; each having their own unique personality and character with an obvious liberal appeal in dress, attitude and décor.
Affordability Seattle aint cheap- at least in the city and surrounding neighborhoods! A one bedroom loft will cost an average of $2000 according to 2016 stats. But the good news is that Happy Hour eating can be a real bargain for those on a tighter budget! There are plenty of activities that are free or minimal cost. Just be prepared to have a little extra cash on hand if you want to visit the various ‘tourist’ attractions.
Five Fun Facts about Seattle
Seattle as we know it today had much financial backing from ‘Seamstresses’ who helped rebuild the city after the great fire of 1889.
Seattle is the birthplace of Starbucks Coffee!
The Space Needle was built in 1962 for the Seattle World’s Fair and was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River.
Seattle is home to more houseboats than anywhere else in the United States.
Take a peek into the photo gallery to see some great pics of our recent trip up the coast. Enjoy! If you are interested in a specific location or RV park site, let me know!
Shortly after Buddy’s retirement (within 72 hours!), we hopped into an RV and took off up the coast for 19 days(you can find pictures in the Photo Gallery). We began planning this trip a number of months back after hearing the same advice from multiple already retired friends, “ GET OUT OF TOWN FOR AWHILE”. Once we knew we could pull it off- getting the RV rental and arranging doggie care, the planning part was a great distraction and gave both of us something to look forward to after ‘R- Day’. The last thing that either of us wanted was to wake up the morning after Buddy’s last day of work with the thought, ‘Ok, now what do we do?”
If there was any initial concern on my part as we finalized plans for this trip, it was the thought of spending 19 days in close quarters of a traveling box! Buddy and I would jokingly share w/ friends before the trip, “This is going to be a really fun adventure or we will be calling the divorce attorney when we get home!”
Picking up the RV included it’s own unique and momentary nail biting experience! And then navigating through mid day city traffic in a 25 foot motor home within minutes of being on the road was enough to question our decision to make this trip! There was a fleeting thought of ‘Uh oh, what have we gotten ourselves into?’ But… the arrival at our first stop at San Simeon State Park just as the sun was casting pink and orange hues on the horizon and later seeing the magnificent brush stroke of the Milky Way in the night sky cast any doubts aside!
We had pre planned our campsite destinations since summer is generally a busy time of year for many of the state and private parks. We determined locations by the average miles we wanted to cover each day without spending too much time on the road. Other than looking through the RV park reviews, we arrived at each spot in eager anticipation! Buddy and I both agreed that every travel day to a new location brought the discovery of at least one unexpected gem- beautiful ocean shorelines, scenic bike trails, magical rain forests as well as introductions to new friends!
The other gem we were given was the amount of time we spent with each other- I think we only hooked up the TV cable two or three times the entire trip and much of our day was spent doing things together- whether it was hiking or biking or just getting some laundry done! I was also more than pleasantly surprised that neither of us felt the need for ‘alone time’ or feeling that we were getting on each other’s nerves- especially in the close quarters of a motorhome.
Buddy and I had a wonderful time! God blessed both of us more than could have ever imagined. We spent time in beautiful areas of our country and traveled in a way that was a new and different adventure for us!
This trip was the perfect way to begin to ‘create the space’ that I wrote in my ‘About’ page. And the memories will help set the rhythm for our new dance together- whether at home or away on exciting adventures!
