We had a great stay at the historic Occidental Hotel in Buffalo. This hotel has been open for 135 years and has a long list of famous guests including Butch Cassidy, Calamity Jane & Teddy Roosevelt. It had been slowly deteriorating until it was saved and restored by the current owners.
The front lobby was beautiful
Photo of the Hole in the Wall Gang - Butch Cassidy is front left, Sundance Kid is front right. Apparently they would both visit and drink in the saloon.
Original Clawfoot tub in our room. I wondered who else had used it as I soaked in it last night!
We set off heading East once again. Our route took us through the Thunder Basin National Grassland. Once again we saw lots of Deer and antelope along with cattle grazing. What we were not prepared to see were the massive coal mines that we rode through. The Thunder Basin Coal Mine contains one of the largest deposits of coal in the world. Reportedly 101 million tons of coal were mined there last year. It was not a pretty sight.
Leaving the mines behind we arrived in South Dakota and after a nice picnic lunch we rode through the town of Custer and stopped in Hill City. We are now in the heart of the Black Hills and some wonderful riding. We cannot wait for tomorrow.
Hi Vicky & Tom,
ReplyDeleteGreat choice for lodging...fun to imagine what went on there in the past! Once again,enjoying the amazing pictures.
Enjoy the trip east.
Ginny