Travels of the Agnew Family in the "Dog House" 2006-2007

The fellow at the Custer information centre had drawn a scenic route from Custer to Spearfish at the north end of the Black Hills. As the sun was shining we decided that it was a good day to do the drive. The route took us deep into the National Forest, past pristine lakes, up winding roads to lookout points, past quaint small towns and some not so quaint. One of the highlights was Rochford, a small "ghost" town with a church, fire station, the mall or “small” as they called it and a restaurant / bar / store / meeting place. Another highlight or should I saw “downlight” was finding snow on the ground at Terry Peak --- there wasn’t a lot of snow but there was snow. While it was cold, drizzling and windy in Custer yesterday, Terry Peak was having a blizzard. Another interesting stop was the town of Deadwood --- South Dakota’s "Las Vegas" western style.

A small corner of Deerfield Lake.

This tree swallow kept hanging around till Ed took his picture --- Ed was about 3 feet away from him.

Ditch Creek on the edge of Deerfield Lake.


Flag Mountain --- in the 1940's there was a fire lookout here.


As we drove up the road to flag mountain we saw hundreds of these yellow flowers.


Rochford --- Moonshine Gulch Saloon is the restaurant / bar /meeting place etc.


The mall... better known as the "small". In a past life this building was a garage and fuel depot for the old mining operation. The owner showed us a photo album of the renovations.


Yup mom, it's snow.


Roughlock Falls


Wild Bill Hichok was gunned down in a saloon in Deadwood --- the only time he every sat with his back to the door.


A view of downtown Deadwood. About 80 percent of the establishments along this street are casinos.


Homestake Open Gold Mine in Lead. I think all the gold is gone as the mine no longer operates.


Mom... Which lever was it to make it move?