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I grew up in these Black Hills — and history of Old West hell raising mining camp of Deadwood is embedded into these hills as deep as ore in 8,500 foot Homestake Mine up in Lead, now closed full of water, and soon to be a scientific underground laboratory.

You have probably seen Hollywood version of Deadwood on HBO. As a series, how close does it come to true life characters that put rawboned territorial town on map?

LEGENDS OF DEADWOOD

Wild Bill Hickok, born James Butler Hickok in Tiny Grove, Illinois on May 27, 1837. He married Mrs. Ames Thatcher on March 5, 1876 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Wild Bill was murdered in original Saloon No. 10 on August 2, 1876 by Jack McCall.

Quite aside from images of Black Hills gold rush and Sioux Indian wars, Deadwood is famed in public's mind as place where "Wild Bill" Hickok was murdered while playing poker in Saloon No.10, holding "Deadman's Hand" of aces, eights, and nine of diamonds.

Civil War spy, scout and sharpshooter, Indian fighter, frontier lawman and showman with Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show, Hickok was part of West's romantic image — aided no doubt by a Harper's New Monthly Magazine article about him in those terms in 1867

The reality was more complicated as a variety of books and Internet resources note.

Hickok joined a flood of miners, shopkeepers, prostitutes, card players, bunco artists and outlaws, invading raw and just-formed town of Deadwood in June of 1876.

By all accounts, his intent in coming to Deadwood was to separate prospectors and minters from their gold — not at point of a gun, but at poker tables with a winning hand and two pistols at hand for any sore losers in bunch.

Hickok was highly motivated — he was a newlywed with a wife to support. His bride, former Mrs. Agnes Thatcher, was waiting for Hickok back in Cheyenne.

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On Seaside's famous Promenade, facing Pacific Ocean, rests SeaSide Inn Bed & Breakfast, a wonderfully romantic hideaway set amidst rugged grandeur of Oregon Coast.

From ocean, it's just a few steps across beach, then wide cement walkway that is Prom, to front yard and patio of SeaSide Inn. Through a screened, glass door you enter into a whimsical world of beach fantasy and storybook charm.

The SeaSide Inn, a non-smoking establishment, has fourteen themed rooms, most with sweeping views of ocean and beach. Such accommodations as Bubble Room, Shell Seeker, Granny's House, and 50s-60s Rock 'n' Roll room are cleverly appointed. Yet there is no lack of comfort and convenience. The Captain's Quarters, with its magnificent view of Coast Mountain Range, features a king-size brass bed, and Mountain Cabin has a queen-sized four-poster log bed and double shower.

Atop SeaSide Inn is Clock Tower, with fireplace, round king bed, 2-person jetted tub, and loft with additional bed. This is highest room, with ultimate view of endless surf and ocean.

Our stay, in quaint Wicker Room, with its pillow-topped, king-sized bed, was quite comfortable. One of tiny touches that greeted us, on a round, lace-covered wicker table, was a ceramic vase containing a real rose and magenta rhododendron blooms that are so prevalent in Northwest (actually state flower of Washington). Even toilet paper was dotted with tiny red and blue flowers. In a wicker rocking chair sat a floppy-eared rabbit in lace-edged, flowered dress.

Each room has private bath, TV with cable stations, VCR, telephone, heating and air conditioning. All beds are Queens or Kings, and many furniture pieces are antiques. Armoires, canopy beds and window seats create a relaxed, cottage-style décor.