Woke up to threatening skies, but no rain. Had breakfast - pancakes, a la Kevin - and then we all headed out to see the sights. First stop was the Crazy Horse monument. Wow, what a huge project. Quite impressive.
Next we rode by Mt. Rushmore and viewed the presidents from several angles. See photos on Facebook. Finally, we rode through Custer State Park with the intention of seeing lots of buffalo. With the exception of the nice ride - many curving roads - we were disappointed with the no-show bison.
We finished the days ride in Hill City, where we did some shopping while we waited out the rain that finally decided to fall in earnest. During a respite in the precipitation, we made our way back to the lodge. Once more we are safe and sound.
But we may venture out later for ice cream.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Day 5: Lori makes her appearance
Got up early and made a grocery run for breakfast. Then, I rode out to find the airport, so I would not be late to pick up my spouse. After that, I rode around looking for the Rapid City H-D location. I wanted to get my HOG pin for the rally. Finally found the dealership and learned that they did not have any pins. So, I did some shopping and had my bike washed by some poor, underdressed waifs.
I returned to the lodge and had a few hours to spend with my brother, Kevin and his wife, Sherry. It was nice.
Lori was due in at 8:30, but texted me to say that weather had delayed her flight, as well as a possible mechanical problem. After much back and forth, she finally made it in at 10:45. Whew!
On another note; while on my way to meet her to escort her to the lodge, I got pulled over for speeding: 53 in a 45. I got off with just a warning. Double whew!!
As it was nearly midnight when we got in, I postponed posting this until today. So for all of you who's were expecting to read of my exploits...sorry. But, at least you get two posts today.
Later, friends
I returned to the lodge and had a few hours to spend with my brother, Kevin and his wife, Sherry. It was nice.
Lori was due in at 8:30, but texted me to say that weather had delayed her flight, as well as a possible mechanical problem. After much back and forth, she finally made it in at 10:45. Whew!
On another note; while on my way to meet her to escort her to the lodge, I got pulled over for speeding: 53 in a 45. I got off with just a warning. Double whew!!
As it was nearly midnight when we got in, I postponed posting this until today. So for all of you who's were expecting to read of my exploits...sorry. But, at least you get two posts today.
Later, friends
Monday, August 5, 2013
Day 4: Final push
We awoke to heavy cloud cover and fog, with rain threatening. But once again, we outran most of the inclement weather and enjoyed a long day of riding, straight across the state of SD. We had a couple of hiccups along the way: Kevin's bike developed a strange noise, which as yet has not been determined. Gas stations are at a premium along I-90, so word of warning...fill up often.
We stopped in Wall and visited Badlands H-D (got a tee-shirt). Stopped again in Rapid City and picked up some necessaries at the H-D dealer. Then we made the final push toward Custer and the lodge. We got side-tracked in Hill City: their Main Street was filled with bikes...imagine that.
We saw the aftermath of an accident that had at least two victims: bikers. Sobering! The remainder of the ride was uneventful and we arrived at the lodge around 5:30 pm.
What shall we do tomorrow?
Tune in and see.
We stopped in Wall and visited Badlands H-D (got a tee-shirt). Stopped again in Rapid City and picked up some necessaries at the H-D dealer. Then we made the final push toward Custer and the lodge. We got side-tracked in Hill City: their Main Street was filled with bikes...imagine that.
We saw the aftermath of an accident that had at least two victims: bikers. Sobering! The remainder of the ride was uneventful and we arrived at the lodge around 5:30 pm.
What shall we do tomorrow?
Tune in and see.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Day 3: from KC to Sioux City
If I had to use one word to describe today, it would be: fortuitous. I had decided to end yesterday's ride on the north side of KCMO, so we would not have the city traffic to deal with first thing in the morning (not thinking that it was Saturday).
When I woke up this morning and checked the weather, imagine my surprise when I saw a major storm headed our way across Kansas. I was afraid that I would have to wake my brothers, but they were already packing their iron horses for the day. We were able to escape KC before the rain came and outran the storm until we were past Sioux City. Then, the little rain that we had to endure was minimal and short lived. Once past the rain, the sky cleared and we were presented with gorgeous SD scenery and miles of open road.
We chose to end the day in Sioux Falls and start fresh in the morning. We plan to go through the Badlands on the way. I want to see wild bison.
No incidents to mar our trip. Although, Kevin's wife, Sherry, lost her wedding ring today while riding. Seems it just slipped off. Bummer.
More tomorrow.
P.S. I am taking a passenger along tomorrow. Picture to follow.
When I woke up this morning and checked the weather, imagine my surprise when I saw a major storm headed our way across Kansas. I was afraid that I would have to wake my brothers, but they were already packing their iron horses for the day. We were able to escape KC before the rain came and outran the storm until we were past Sioux City. Then, the little rain that we had to endure was minimal and short lived. Once past the rain, the sky cleared and we were presented with gorgeous SD scenery and miles of open road.
We chose to end the day in Sioux Falls and start fresh in the morning. We plan to go through the Badlands on the way. I want to see wild bison.
No incidents to mar our trip. Although, Kevin's wife, Sherry, lost her wedding ring today while riding. Seems it just slipped off. Bummer.
More tomorrow.
P.S. I am taking a passenger along tomorrow. Picture to follow.
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Day 2 - A long one!
Today started with the normal 5:30 reveille, followed by breakfast with Heather - yum...sugar smacks and skim milk. Then it was back on the road. Destination: Sikeston, MO to meet up with my brothers and see my dad.
Yesterday, I could sum p the weather with one word: HOT! Today however, started cool, turned wet (boo, rain), and finished very nice. The problem was not so much the weather as the number of hours in the saddle. All told, I rode for 16.5 hours and covered four states.
Now, I am going to bed. No wake up call, please. More tomorrow.
Yesterday, I could sum p the weather with one word: HOT! Today however, started cool, turned wet (boo, rain), and finished very nice. The problem was not so much the weather as the number of hours in the saddle. All told, I rode for 16.5 hours and covered four states.
Now, I am going to bed. No wake up call, please. More tomorrow.
Friday, August 2, 2013
Sturgis:Day 1
The first leg was completed without incident. Traffic was a bit heavier than expected, but the weather cooperated, so it was a decent trade. I wanted to get a picture of my bike at each state line during the trip. I started with Georgia...no problem. However, when I got to Alabama, I was stymied by traffic and no place to pull off. I crossed over in Columbus on Hwy 280 (Liberty Ave). Just no room to stop.
Oh well, I got to visit with my daughter and grand kids for a while. We had fun in the pool with Abbie, the chocolate lab - that dog loves to swim.
Well, tomorrow is another day with farther to go. I meet up with my brothers in Sikeston, MO and see our dad before moving on to Kansas City.
More tomorrow night.
P.S. I found a stowaway in my luggage. More on that and what I did to it next time.
Oh well, I got to visit with my daughter and grand kids for a while. We had fun in the pool with Abbie, the chocolate lab - that dog loves to swim.
Well, tomorrow is another day with farther to go. I meet up with my brothers in Sikeston, MO and see our dad before moving on to Kansas City.
More tomorrow night.
P.S. I found a stowaway in my luggage. More on that and what I did to it next time.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Hiatus
I am eight chapters into Part II: The Western Lands, but must take a brief hiatus to indulge in checking off one of my bucket-list items: Sturgis.
Next Friday, I will begin a four-day-ride from Tampa to Sturgis, SD, where my brothers and I (wife included) will enjoy the week riding and seeing the sights.
I intend to document the ride with blog posts along the way and while there in the Sturgis area. Photos will be attached.
Fear not though, I will be making notes and compiling plot ideas for when I return. There is much more story to tell, and it is trying hard to get out of my mind and onto paper.
Next Friday, I will begin a four-day-ride from Tampa to Sturgis, SD, where my brothers and I (wife included) will enjoy the week riding and seeing the sights.
I intend to document the ride with blog posts along the way and while there in the Sturgis area. Photos will be attached.
Fear not though, I will be making notes and compiling plot ideas for when I return. There is much more story to tell, and it is trying hard to get out of my mind and onto paper.
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