The weather was nice enough this morning that we decided to take a gamble and took a nice long ride today. We decided to ride Spearfish Canyon, then meet our friends Kristi and Ray in Deadwood.
Spearfish Canyon was a great ride, as usual. We stopped at Bridal Veil Falls for pictures. I used the GoPro as we rode the canyon, but still need to download and edit the video.
When we arrived in Deadwood, we talked to a group of folks from New Zealand. It was their first time at the Rally and they were enjoying the event. They were on a four-week holiday and making their way across the US.
We gambled a little while we waited for Kristi and Ray. I didn't do so well, I was down about $30 by the time we got the page for dinner. The machines insisted on eating my money.
After a wonderful dinner and great conversation at the Gem Casino with Kristi and Ray, we rode through Boulder Canyon into Sturgis then took the highway back "home". We arrived well after dark, and got to say hello to another almost-family member -- Chris (Genevieve's brother). It was good to see him.
So after almost a week in the Black Hills, we leave for the Pacific Northwest tomorrow. It should be an interesting ride. Hopefully we'll get out of here before the crack of noon, but somehow I doubt that will happen. <sigh>
Here's hoping for good weather in the days ahead.
Mileage today: 168.1
Jae's trip total: 889.0
Donna's trip total: 900.6
We didn't do much today. The weather was still kind of yucky until around sunset. We took off late this morning and my boots and chaps were still damp. We managed to get back down to the Harley dealership to pick up my sunglasses and a few other odds and ends that we had forgotten before.
The threat of rain kept us close to the campsite. Staying in gave me a chance to play with the GoPro Studio software. I think I just about have it figured out. Now I am just waiting on the computer to process the clips that I prepared. With luck, I will have a clip for you in tomorrow's blog. This laptop is a bit slow to process.
Mileage today: 42.6
Jae's trip total: 720.9
Donna's trip total: 734.2
Today we went into Sturgis. What a cluster .. er, mess that place can be during Rally week. The traffic was unbelievable. I would put a short video up, but I still have to figure out the GoPro Studio. I promise, it will happen. In the meantime, here is a picture that Donna took of Main Street right after we arrived.
The plan for the day was to meet our friends Sharon and Vickie in Sturgis, do a little shopping and catching up, then ride Boulder Canyon from Sturgis to Deadwood. Well, Mother Nature derailed that plan.
The rain started around 2:30-ish. At 3:00, we all checked the weather on our phones and saw that the storms were just getting started. We decided to beat feet to our respective campsites -- Sharon and Vickie to Deadwood, and us back to Caputa.
We were well ahead of the storm when we arrived in Rapid City, so we decided to stop for dinner. All was well, until I thought I needed dessert. At that point, the bullseye of the storm hit Rapid City -- and decided to track slowly to the South and East, exactly along the road we needed to take to get to our camp.
A ride that should have taken about 15 minutes, took almost an hour because we rode much slower than normal. We made it back to camp safe, but very, very wet.
Lesson learned, next time check the weather before you order dessert, Jae!
Mileage today: 95.4
Total trip: 678.3
Today we took time to get a few necessities, like a new back tire for my bike. We also had to pick up some stuff we forgot, like power cords and connector cables. That's what happens when we get in a hurry to leave.
A usual stop for us is the Black Hills Harley-Davidson dealership. I know, it sounds odd for Honda riders, but the Harley place brings in a lot of different vendors. I was looking for a handlebar bag, and didn't find one that I liked.
We also found a couple of awesome places to eat in Rapid City. The first was a sandwich shop called The Smiling Moose Deli. Donna had the Mini-Mo, Lin had a roast beef sandwich, and I had the Pallavicini. The sandwiches were big and tasty. The second was a wing place called Buffalo Wings and Rings. It was a bit of a drive to get to from Caputa, but the wings were well worth it.
I am learning how to use my GoPro camera. After I get the hang of using it, I will post a ride video. Until then, I'll keep my experiments to myself.
All in all, it was a good day.
Mileage today: 79.8
Trip total: 582.9
Today was a bittersweet day in South Dakota. We went out to Little Falls to say goodbye to a friend -- on a perfect day to ride.
A little over a month ago, we lost our friend Mandi. We were looking forward to seeing her and her kids during Rally week. Sadly, we had to say goodbye instead. Today, we rode and hiked out to the spot where the family scattered her ashes. Because we missed the family memorial service in July, we had our own small celebration of Mandy's life today.
Donna, Lin, Mandi's sister Genevieve, and I rode to the site, while Gen's boyfriend Dave, drove the little red sports car. Not surprisingly, we had to turn around once because we missed the turn. (Anyone who has ever traveled with us knows we frequently miss our turns.) :-)
Genevieve rode with me to the trailhead, and she led us to the place the frog led the family. The spot captures Mandy's spirit, a beautiful spot for a beautiful soul.
You will be missed, Mandi. Rest in Peace.
From Little Falls, we traveled into Keystone to make a pit stop and get some ice cream and adult refreshment. Then we rode a little further to the Sugar Shack for one of the best burgers in the Black Hills.
The day was perfect for riding. Not too much wind and no rain. The temperature was perfect, so no jackets were required. I am turning red, in spite of the sunblock.
After leaving the Sugar Shack, we headed back to the campsite, arriving "home" before dark.
The ride from the Sugar Shack back to Caputa was very Zen. With very little traffic and new pavement, I felt like I was floating through that little corner of the Black Hills like a bird.
A twitch to the left or right and I glide through the turns, at one with the bike. The wind on my face brings the scent of wild flowers, pine needles, and the occasional unlucky critter. The aroma of wildflowers is almost overwhelming in spots, but a welcome change to the usual smell of brakes, exhaust, and pine.
Mileage today: 145.7
Trip total: 503.1
Donna, Lin, and I hit the rowdy road at about 9:30-ish this morning.
The ride to Rapid City was mostly uneventful. We ran into a little rain between Torrington, WY and Mule Creek Junction where we turn off toward South Dakota. The road to Edgemont was pretty windy. By the time we left Edgemont, the wind had shifted and we were able to take jackets off for the last time.
We made very good time today, having ridden by a couple of our usual stops. The wind was our nemesis for part of the day. More than once, we found ourselves moving back into our own lane.
We arrived at our Rally home away from home around 7:00-ish this evening.
Enough for tonight, it's been a long day and I need rest.
Mileage today: 357.4
We leave for Sturgis in the morning. :-)
I finally got a picture of my bike.
I'll probably post another picture with the bike all loaded tomorrow.
It was a busy, busy day today. It started very early and is ending very late. We both had to finish our w^&% stuff and get our hand-off information to the folks who will be covering while we are gone.
The real adventure begins tomorrow. We will pack the bikes and head for Sturgis, SD and Rally days.
For now, it's time to get to bed and get some sleep, because tomorrow will be another long day.
A wake up. :-)
