Walking about ½ mile indoors and out; groomed paths; standing up to ½ hour at a time in museums and historic buildings, some stairs. Driving approximately 120 miles; about 1 hour in both morning and afternoon.
In the lodge dining facility, enjoy a breakfast buffet with hot and cold cereals, waffles with fruit topping, hard-boiled eggs, rotating main dishes, pastries, bagels, yogurt, fruit, coffee, hot tea, milk, an assortment of juices and water.
We'll begin our week of discovery by transferring to The High Plains Western Heritage Center for an expert-led field trip. This center includes a Five-State Regional Museum founded to honor the old west pioneers of North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming & Nebraska. Over 20,000 sq. ft. of quality exhibits feature Western art, Artifacts & Memorabilia including the original Spearfish to Deadwood Stagecoach, turn-of-the-century Kitchen, Saddle Shop & a Blacksmith Shop. Forestry, Mining, Ranching & Rodeo are also represented. Outdoor displays feature Longhorn Cattle, a furnished Log Cabin, rural Schoolhouse & antique Farm Equipment. After our exploration of the early western settlement in South Dakota we'll move to the theater for a historical representation program interpreting one of South Dakota's early pioneers.
Lunch is included today.
Lead, the sister city to historic Deadwood, has played a pivotal role in the history of the Black Hills. Home to the Homestake Gold Mine, the streets of Lead tell a tale as rich as the gold mined from its hills. The Homestake Gold Mine was one of the early enterprises associated with the Gold Rush of 1876. The mining of gold from Homestake ceased several years ago due to low gold prices but has begun a new life serving as a laboratory 4,850 feet underground. The lab is working towards a revolution in physics by studying neutrinos. While here, we’ll enjoy a presentation from the Deputy Director for Education and Outreach for Sanford Underground Research Facility. We’ll then return to the lodge.
Lodge buffet.
At the lodge with a local expert, we’ll learn more about the natural and human history of the Black Hills.