My niece Tannah has been over several times this spring to compete in the Texaco Country Showdown, a talent search that starts out at the local level with contestants having the chance to end up in Nashville competing for $100,000. During the June preliminary round, Tannah competed in Deadwood, tying for 1st place which earned her the right to continue to the final preliminary. This win also gained her an opportunity to "open" for the Marshal Tucker Band which was playing in Deadwood for the Wild Bill Hickock Days. That in itself, is quite an honor. When Tannah won, she called Grandma to let her know that she had won and was going onto the finals; she also told Grandma there was going to be a "big family to-do at Aunt Connie & Uncle Bill's". Grandma & Grandpa, Bruce & Michelle and Joy and Sarah were able to come over so while they were here, we did some sightseeing prior to the competition.
Bruce and Michelle came over a day before anyone else, so we went to the lake up at Belle Fourche. It ended up being to windy to launch the party barge, so we just played in the water. This little outing included a "save" from the Game Fish and Parks Dept. as the boat trailer had a very low tire, and I didn't have a wrench in the truck that would pull the boat spare. GFP got tools, Bruce changed the tire, and back on the road we were.
I know the look on Michelle's face doesn't say it, but the water really was pretty warm.
That evening, in between storms, everyone went down to our subdivision pond for a relaxing evening of laughing and fishing.
One day non-resident fishing license: $16.00/pp
Bruce with baby fish: PRICELESS
While we were doing the sight-seeing thing, neither Mom or Dad has ever been to Vegas; even though Vegas is somewhere Mom has always wanted to go. I didn't get her to Vegas, but we did stop at the most "Vegas" like casino in Deadwood so both of them could lose their "gambling virginity". Mom did it right....I put a five dollar bill in machines for both of them, Mom won over $100! Even had a security guard give her a hard time about winning all their money to early in the day.
That's my money!
Sight-seeing included a long stop at Mt. Rushmore, a drive up Needles Highway, a leg stretch at Lakota Lake and back around on Iron Mtn. Road. It was a really long day, but I think everyone saw the sights that they specifically wanted to see.
After Tannah's competition (which she placed in the top 5 out of 14 - and competition was T-O-U-G-H) everyone but Bruce and Michelle had to leave to get back to work. So the three of us did some more sight-seeing and went to Bear Country and also walked around Keystone a bit.
"I'm just one of MANY black bears you can see at Bear Country."
(If you would like to see Bear Country, I have a pass that is good through the end of this calendar year. Make your reservations at the Snow Chateau soon!)
I think everyone had a good time, and we certainly packed a bunch into a very short time. These are just a few of the pictures from the weekend, click on the link below to see all of them.
