It’s good to know people

The local long time residents give the best tours. Today we hooked up with some friends we met at one of the rallies we have attended. They have lived in this area all their lives and travel in their motorhome during the winters. I asked Jim what the winters are like around here and he said, “I don’t know. I haven’t been here for about the last 3 winters.” Anyway they took us on a tour of Deadwood and Sturgis today. Jim told us about the days when he used to go into Deadwood and hangout in the bars. He was able to scrounge up enough money to pay the 50 cents for a beer and go upstairs into the brothels. He claims he never had enough money for the brothels but had a good time just hanging around there. We also found out that he is the great grandson of Calamity Jane. Yeah, that’s what I though, a bunch of bull, but he has artifacts at home to back up his claim. Turns out his grandmother is the illegitimate daughter of Calamity Jane. The very one that Calamity Jane tried to claim was the daughter of Wild Bill Hickok. We then went over to Sturgis where Jim took us down Main Street where all the action happens. He explained how the businesses along Main Street close down, put all their merchandise in storage, remove there plate glass windows and rent there stores out to the venders. You could see that a lot of businesses have already cleared out there stores and there were venders booths already setup and in business along the streets. Jim also took us out to some of the bars and campgrounds where all the action will take place. We also got to see the original building where the Sturgis phenomenon all started with about 13 bikers. When we got back to our campground I noticed they have already changed their marquee to “Welcome Sturgis Bikers”. This place will be filling up soon, we will be leaving soon. All this today and I forgot my camera!