Wild Bill (and other details)

OK, all I could think was, "Heart be Still," as he said in a low drawl in my ear as he passed, "How are ya, Sweetie?" I had sort of befriended three woman from Atlanta and we took it and ran with it. There is something that still electrifies with the thought of bad boys who are gentlemen. My whole life I've heard that song singing in my ears. With the prompting of my new friends, and amidst subtle (or not so subtle) hot flash blushing I snapped these photos (once a safe distance across the street and seated on the tour bus)

(Wait.  how did that photo get on my camera?)

I said a prayer at Calamity Jane's grave. Somehow as soon as I awoke and thought of my day in Deadwood, I had the unexplainable need/desire to pray at her grave. This calling to understand another woman's calamities in life. We all go through it now and again...we need to hold one another in that sacred space of womanhood. Understanding. Compassion. Unconditional friendship. Her story is a sad one, but with the message of how upbeat and personable she remained throughout. I liked it.

The view from Boot Hill was gorgeous. I particularly liked the houses that were snuggled in the "hollar?" above town, between the mountains: At least I chose to call it a hollar because I like the sound of it. I had a conversation with some bikers and learned all about Sturgis, South Dakota. I never knew there was this mecca for bikers. After Deadwood, I decided to hit the road east rather than languish in my hotel room. I had grandchildren calling me through the ethers! I made a brief stop at Wall Drug and bought Ike a faux raccoon cap and leather bound, belt-hanging flask for water. The scenery across southern South Dakota was rich and warm as the sun set from the sky. The spacious skies, the amber waves of grain. The Obama "08 sticker on my back window. The evening felt full of hope and potential. Today I travel across Minnesota. The place where my maternal ancestors settled when they arrived from Poland. Wonderin where this day will take me....

Comments

[Susie H]

GOtta love that Wall Drug :)

And the yummy picture at the top of this post...

[Emily]

Hey Marianne,

The first photo you took isn't loading. All I see is his butt! LOL

[Rebekah]

I am loving reading about your travels ... they're pretty much the opposite of our trip West to AZ. We were surprised by the beauty of South Dakota, having thought it would be rather boring scenery, I guess. But other than Wyoming, it ended up being our favorite state! And Wall Drug was a great stop, especially with the boys in tow. Continued safe travels!

[tracey k. in Ohio]

I, too, love these travel stories. I'm gonna have to look into Calamity Jane's life. Love the bad cowboy & cowboys in general! I know good & well if I had lived in those days, I would've been the "town hoe." (LOL!)

[Lisa]

What fun! Now if you check out Sturgis, you'll REALLY have something to write about. Next thing you know, you'll be trying to type from the back of a Harley behind some gorgeous Sam Elliott lookin' guy! And if that happens, hey - run with it. ;)

[Julia]

We are having so much fun following your adventures!