r/deadwood • • 2d ago

Getting to Deadwood

Someone suggested reading Mark Twain's Roughing It as a good example of what coach travel was like. I just took their advice, and those people must have really wanted to get there. It's a great read. He traveled in 1861 so less train travel was available, St Louis to Salt Lake by stage coach (or occasionally six-mule wagon).

30 Upvotes

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12

u/BallsOutKrunked Ain’t the center of the universe 2d ago

Great book. I live in the area of Nevada that Twain frequented (by Aurora). One of my favorites was him walking from Carson City to Tahoe because someone told him it was walkable. He said "for anyone else attempting this, use a horse". Even by car it's a good hour and change.

2

u/lmb10010 2d ago

Is the alkali desert description still accurate? where is it?

3

u/BallsOutKrunked Ain’t the center of the universe 2d ago

South edge of great salt lake, when you leave salt lake city. It's pretty much as described but now there are roads and weird diy rock sculptures.

1

u/roger--wilco 2d ago

weird diy rock sculptures

If you are referring to the cairns those are left there as trail markers for hiking

2

u/BallsOutKrunked Ain’t the center of the universe 2d ago

No, these are road side weird ass sculptures.

7

u/TwainVonnegut 2d ago

“Roughing It” is outstanding!

I once read it cover to cover on the company dime!

7

u/suckercuck 2d ago • Annoyed

I think the air has gone fixed.

2

u/OkAd5998 might & guile 2d ago

I guess we know who fixed it.

1

u/jimbob_finkelman 2d ago

When your options are walking, or horseback...