WHAT TO DO ON A COLD, RAINY, WINDY DAY - HILL CITY VISIT

Shot through the rainy car window

Denis had a bunch of errands which took him longer than he planned.  We drove to Hill City and  walked into the Alpine Inn for lunch at 2:25 (they stop serving at 2:30). The restaurant was recommended to me by fellow bloggers Jim and Sandie Dixon.  I ordered the Schnitzel (breaded pork served with German potato salad, sauerkraut, red cabbage and German bread.  Denis ordered the Kaes Spaetzel (German dumplings and Swiss cheese served with red cabbage, sauerkraut and German bread).  We were so hungry and excited about eating that we forgot to take a picture - sorry.  For dessert we ordered the Apple Cheese Strudel with cream cheese and apple filling baked in layers of phyllo pastry and dusted with powdered sugar.

Back of the menu

We shared dessert

This is what the hotel looked like before renovations

Here's a little history about the owner who, by the way, seated us. Waldraut (Wally, pronounced Volly) Matush came to the U.S. from Stuttgart, Germany in 1961, moved to Hill City in 1970 and acquired the Harney Peak Hotel in 1974.  Over a ten year period, the Hotel housed a variety of businesses until it become home of the present Alpine Inn in 1984.  Wally is the "Matron Saint"  of the Alpine Inn and plans are to bury her in the basement when she dies so that she can haunt the building with the rest of its ghosts.

We visited Teddy Bear Town and met Jackie Miley.  She maybe a little eccentric but her love of teddy bears and the stories she tells about some of her favorite bears is both heart warming and interesting.  Learn her story by clicking on this link:   http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/07/31/2923835/teddy-bear-town-sets-record-for.html

This sign caught my attention

She doesn't have enough room to display all her bears

People like Jackie make life interesting

We needed to walk off our lunch and even though it was chilly we braved the elements visiting the gift stores and galleries.  It was a very nice way to spend the afternoon.

Since 1957, visitors take the scenic 2 1/2 hour round trip to the nearby town of Keystone on this 1880 steam locomotive

If you look closely, you'll see people seated and waiting for the engine to hookup

Is it a tourist trap or is it true?  It's actually a little of both

We watched Dances with Wolves and this house "Fort Hays Headquarters" is actually in the movie

This is the office of the commanding officer who peed his pants and then shot himself in the head - remember?

The clouds last night were unusual

That black streak under the pink sky is one of many storm clouds that have blanketed this area

That's all folks - thank you for stopping by.