July 26th

 South Pass City- Historic opened at 9am. We got there around 9:30am and paid to do the walking tour. We had the whole place to ourselves, which was nice. South Pass City was born in the summer of 1867. Unlike hundreds of other western boom towns, this one endures to the present day. One of the best preserved towns and gold mills in the west. We got to go in the majority of the buildings. The dance hall is now where the gift shop is. There were so many items from the past here. The original dominoes, cat's cradle, Hickory Dickory Dock, candy cigarettes, old bubblegums, so on. We then went to the mine managers cabin, the butcher shop, Carissa Saloon, Smith-Sherlock Store, Houghton-Cotter Store, The Cave (this is where they hid all of their liquor), John and Lida Sherlock's house, the Wolverine Mine Adit, South Pass School, Riniker Cabin, E.A Slack Cabin, Blacksmith Shop, Sherlock's garage, Ice house, W.C Ervin Store, South Pass Hotel and Restaurant, Exchange Saloon and Card Room, Price Street Bridge, Sherlock's barn, Miner's Exchange Saloon, Sweetwater County Jail, and Libby's cabin. There was an old building that they turned into an exhibit with a bunch of old pictures from when this town was occupied. We also were able to pan for gold. There's only flakes left here but it's still something. We didn't find any gold but we found some garnet. We were confused on how to pan for the gold at first, then we got the hang of it. Bought some sarsaparilla to try. Tastes like root beer but a hint different. There's a general store that is operating here and they use new canned goods but wrap them in the old packaging and sell them. I really wanted to check this out but they're only open on the weekends. 

There's a few trails here as well. We did the Flood & Hindle Trail which is a town where the buildings are falling into the earth. So that was neat to see. The continental divide trail goes through this town. 3,028 miles long and one of the hardest trails there is. You can go without being in a town for a few days. We saw someone hiking the trail. We also saw a hitchhiker on our way out and we contemplated taking him for a ride. Now we wish we would have because he was also hiking the trail and needed a ride into town. 

A huge storm came over our campground right when we got back. The wind reached 60mph and lasted 30 minutes. I'm glad it was hitting the trailer head on because I don't know what would have happened if it was hitting the side lol. Figaro was so brave and only hid twice! Cherry was scared but she laid by the window and took it all in. There was supposed to be hail but we didn't get any. Which is good because Joe's windshield is already cracked. 

We got some of the original wooden dominoes at the gift shop and are going to play later tonight. 

Water powered ore crusher

Someone really lived here, I can't imagine. The room with the door open was the bathroom. 

Candy cigs!

Bathhouse 

Photoshop in 1899!

I didn't know they used to hold the dead and take pictures with them 😬

I thought this was a cute photo

People thought this was a stuffed dog because he was so well behaved 

Bands came to the city to play and would stay at this hotel 

We read that her husband was a drunk and would beat her and their children in public. So he was always in jail while she was fighting for peace lol.

I believe there were more people staying in town. We saw at least two. I didn't see any of the cats or dogs!

The Carissa mine and mill. You can tour this at 2pm everyday but you have to make reservations beforehand. 

Really good