Tue 7th
Finally today we went what we travelled half way round the world for. Sturgis!
On our way by 8 we managed to park in main st without any problem.
Within minutes of parking, a lady came up to Vicki and asked if she would mind doing an interview for a biker radio. The interview went for about 20 minutes, she was quite interested that Vicki was from New Zealand. The shops were all full of vendors, a lot selling the same T shirts, patches etc. People and bikes everywhere.
Graham had the mufflers changed on his bike, to give it more of a rumble, it is still a lot quieter than most of the other Harleys. He also organised to get some custom painting done on his bike Thursday morning (the deadmans hand, aces and eights)and I booked in to get an oil change for the Goldwing.
In the afternoon we went for a look at Buffalo Chip, the camp ground goes for miles.
A quick burst out to Full Throttle Saloon was well worth the trip. The atmosphere there was exciting, we had a good look around and lots more photos taken.
Just as we were leaving a band started up in the bar, it was ZZ Top! We listened to a couple of songs before leaving, we were pretty stuffed and heading back for a splash in the pool. It had been a long day in the sun, and I was given a hard time about the amount of sunburn my face received.
The pizza we had was far too much for us to finish off.
We have plans to return to FTS on Da Bus so that we can enjoy a drink without worrying about riding.
Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Monday, August 6, 2018
Deadwood
I recommended the Needles Hwy so much that I had to do it again, this time from south to north. There was a group of bikes come past from the other direction then just around the corner there was a deer standing in the middle of the road, she must have waited for the Harleys to go past then walk across the road. We watched her walk off into the trees. As we arrived at the eye of the needle a mountain goat and it's kid walked down off the hill, through the bikes and headed for the tunnel. There were bikes coming through so they were pushed through a gap in the rocks and away.
We booked in at Deadwood (in the Presidential Suite) and waited for the Priors to arrive. It was a trolley bus into main st for a drink or two, or four before tea at Mustang Sally's with desert at Dairy Queen before a trolley bus home.
We booked in at Deadwood (in the Presidential Suite) and waited for the Priors to arrive. It was a trolley bus into main st for a drink or two, or four before tea at Mustang Sally's with desert at Dairy Queen before a trolley bus home.
Sunday, August 5, 2018
Custer day 2
Sun 5th
A little cooler today and we survived the night without the air conditioner.
Today we decided to do the Needles Hwy proper. A bit of studying last night showed that the piece oh Hwy 87 that we did yesterday was not the part of 87 they call the Needles Hwy. First though it was off to the Crazy Horse monument. When we arrived there was only half a dozen bikes in the bike park, others may have been battling hangovers. We watched the short movie about how it all came to be and the progress that has been made since 1947. The exhibits in the museum kept us busy until we got on the bus for a short tour to the back part and to the foot of the carving. As we were leaving we met another couple of kiwis that had hired bikes, they soon understood why we bought one. There were a group of about 6 bikes around ours that had stickers of kiwis on them and the park was a lot fuller than when we arrived. The Needles Hwy was next and what a cool ride, nice twisters through the trees and amongst the magnificent rock formations. This is a ride I was recommended and I would say a must for anyone that is in the area.
The Iron Mountain Rd was the next piece of road that needed to be travelled. Again a twisty road (314 curves and 14 switch-backs in 17 miles) but this time with 3 tunnels (2 of which framed Mt Rushmore in the distance) and 3 pigtail bridges that keeps the road curling around itself so that you go under the bridge you just crossed. This road brought us to Mt Rushmore where we stopped for a look. Parking cost $10 for a bike but we only paid $5 (the senior rate)
On the way back to Custer, at the turn off to Crazy Horse, we saw remains of a collision, a pick up and something else (I didn't see any damaged bikes though.
It was a busy area with the emergency vehicles and all the traffic.
Before heading back to the motel we stopped at the Purple Pie Place (again recommended) for a bite of pie and ice cream, I had an American iconic dish, Apple Pie, yum. Vicki had a slice of blueberry pie and was not pleased with it.
A dip in the spa and pool was on the cards before dinner, then another romantic evening doing the laundry.
We had planned a night ride back to Crazy Horse to watch a laser light show at 9.30 but the evening thunder and rain put us off, we weren't totally disappointed though as we got to see an awesome lightning show. The forked lightning filled the night sky.
A little cooler today and we survived the night without the air conditioner.
Today we decided to do the Needles Hwy proper. A bit of studying last night showed that the piece oh Hwy 87 that we did yesterday was not the part of 87 they call the Needles Hwy. First though it was off to the Crazy Horse monument. When we arrived there was only half a dozen bikes in the bike park, others may have been battling hangovers. We watched the short movie about how it all came to be and the progress that has been made since 1947. The exhibits in the museum kept us busy until we got on the bus for a short tour to the back part and to the foot of the carving. As we were leaving we met another couple of kiwis that had hired bikes, they soon understood why we bought one. There were a group of about 6 bikes around ours that had stickers of kiwis on them and the park was a lot fuller than when we arrived. The Needles Hwy was next and what a cool ride, nice twisters through the trees and amongst the magnificent rock formations. This is a ride I was recommended and I would say a must for anyone that is in the area.
The Iron Mountain Rd was the next piece of road that needed to be travelled. Again a twisty road (314 curves and 14 switch-backs in 17 miles) but this time with 3 tunnels (2 of which framed Mt Rushmore in the distance) and 3 pigtail bridges that keeps the road curling around itself so that you go under the bridge you just crossed. This road brought us to Mt Rushmore where we stopped for a look. Parking cost $10 for a bike but we only paid $5 (the senior rate)
On the way back to Custer, at the turn off to Crazy Horse, we saw remains of a collision, a pick up and something else (I didn't see any damaged bikes though.
It was a busy area with the emergency vehicles and all the traffic.
Before heading back to the motel we stopped at the Purple Pie Place (again recommended) for a bite of pie and ice cream, I had an American iconic dish, Apple Pie, yum. Vicki had a slice of blueberry pie and was not pleased with it.
A dip in the spa and pool was on the cards before dinner, then another romantic evening doing the laundry.
We had planned a night ride back to Crazy Horse to watch a laser light show at 9.30 but the evening thunder and rain put us off, we weren't totally disappointed though as we got to see an awesome lightning show. The forked lightning filled the night sky.
Saturday, August 4, 2018
Into South Dakota - Custer
Sat 4th
After I wiped off all the dust (from the coal mines just out of town) that had gathered in the rain spots from the night before, we headed out past the coal mines that looked like man made canyons and onto Devil's Tower. It was quite cool to see, but we didn't see any alien ships.
On to Custer SD, where we set up camp for the next 2 nights.
Needles highway is a road that has been recommended by lots of people in the last few years, the first stop had Vicki laughing at the antics of the prairie dogs, we cotinued down the road to see plenty of deer among the trees. We came apon a few cars and bikes stopped at the side of the road and people taking photos. There was a huge herd of buffalo (between 2 to 3 hundred) that were being herded by park rangers and cowboys. They brought them right up to then across the road right in front of us. There was a few big bulls amongst them and quite a few calves.
Further down the road there were a few bikes stopped in th oncoming lane. One guy was taking a photo into the hills/trees, I count see what he was taking a photo of, then as I tuned my attention back to the road I saw out the corner of my eye, a huge buffalo eating at the side of the road beside me. After a refreshing dip in the pool we walked down to town with the idea of having a few more drinks after a meal. The centre lane was blocked off for motorcycle parking and vender stalls were set up everywhere selling t shirts and all kinds of bike gear, even a shop that had been taken over by Harley selling their logo on everything. Almost like a mini Sturgis.
We had a meal in a place that had stags heads and a stuffed cougar on the walls. Vicki pointed out another Jackalope, this one was a full body and it had a tail like a Platypus? I overheard one guy call it a sabretooth beaver.
If i recall properly the Jackalope had a head more like a rabbit.
After I wiped off all the dust (from the coal mines just out of town) that had gathered in the rain spots from the night before, we headed out past the coal mines that looked like man made canyons and onto Devil's Tower. It was quite cool to see, but we didn't see any alien ships.
On to Custer SD, where we set up camp for the next 2 nights.
Needles highway is a road that has been recommended by lots of people in the last few years, the first stop had Vicki laughing at the antics of the prairie dogs, we cotinued down the road to see plenty of deer among the trees. We came apon a few cars and bikes stopped at the side of the road and people taking photos. There was a huge herd of buffalo (between 2 to 3 hundred) that were being herded by park rangers and cowboys. They brought them right up to then across the road right in front of us. There was a few big bulls amongst them and quite a few calves.
Further down the road there were a few bikes stopped in th oncoming lane. One guy was taking a photo into the hills/trees, I count see what he was taking a photo of, then as I tuned my attention back to the road I saw out the corner of my eye, a huge buffalo eating at the side of the road beside me. After a refreshing dip in the pool we walked down to town with the idea of having a few more drinks after a meal. The centre lane was blocked off for motorcycle parking and vender stalls were set up everywhere selling t shirts and all kinds of bike gear, even a shop that had been taken over by Harley selling their logo on everything. Almost like a mini Sturgis.
We had a meal in a place that had stags heads and a stuffed cougar on the walls. Vicki pointed out another Jackalope, this one was a full body and it had a tail like a Platypus? I overheard one guy call it a sabretooth beaver.
Gillette
Fri 3rd
This morning we went to post some more stuff back to L.A. only a smallish box this time. We stopped at a home depot and found the grinder I wanted, but it will wait till closer to the end of the trip so that I don't have to carry it for the next 3-4 thousand miles.
We headed to Gillette but not on the interstate this time, we took Hwy 14/16 and in places it looked a bit like home, quite green but a total lack of stock on the ranches. One ranch we passed was called the Flat Broke Ranch.
We stopped for a beer and a snack at a place called Spotted Horse. They claim they have the coldest beer and the best burger in town. I would not disagree, it is one building on top of a hill, on a quiet Hwy in the middle of nowhere.
We pulled into Gillette, booked in and I went for a look around, it didn't take long but I did see a train that had 3 airplane bodies on the wagons, something you don't see every day.
Another dip in another pool with poolside drinks, then across the road to an all you can eat feed. They offered meat and lots of seafood. We watched the guy next to us, show his granddaughter how to crack the crabs legs to get the meat out and decided that it was too much work. While we were there Another thunderstorm rolled through.
This morning we went to post some more stuff back to L.A. only a smallish box this time. We stopped at a home depot and found the grinder I wanted, but it will wait till closer to the end of the trip so that I don't have to carry it for the next 3-4 thousand miles.
We headed to Gillette but not on the interstate this time, we took Hwy 14/16 and in places it looked a bit like home, quite green but a total lack of stock on the ranches. One ranch we passed was called the Flat Broke Ranch.
We stopped for a beer and a snack at a place called Spotted Horse. They claim they have the coldest beer and the best burger in town. I would not disagree, it is one building on top of a hill, on a quiet Hwy in the middle of nowhere.
We pulled into Gillette, booked in and I went for a look around, it didn't take long but I did see a train that had 3 airplane bodies on the wagons, something you don't see every day.
Another dip in another pool with poolside drinks, then across the road to an all you can eat feed. They offered meat and lots of seafood. We watched the guy next to us, show his granddaughter how to crack the crabs legs to get the meat out and decided that it was too much work. While we were there Another thunderstorm rolled through.
Thursday, August 2, 2018
Custer's Last Stand and into Sheridan
Thursday 2nd.
This morning was spent trying to organise enrolling Douglas into junior high school. Getting emails, printing, filling in, taking photos and sending emails. It's just a little more difficult to do from the other side of the world.
Before getting on the road we stopped in at Cable's Sporting and Outdoor store, they have lots of stuffed animals around the store.
This is the type of store I could spend quite some time (and dollars in)
We then hit the interstate, cruising along at 80 mph, there are a lot of bikes on the road and in the motels now.
A stop at the site of the Battle of Little Big Horn was a must to soak up some local history.
Among the rows of gravestones I managed to find the odd one out.
Then back on the interstate to Sheridan in 40 degrees plus temp, we arrived not long before the weather struck. We were cooling off in the indoor pool when the thunder, lightning, wind, rain and hail started. It lasted for at least 1/2 hour before disappearing and getting hot again.
Dinner was at Lilly's Irish pub and grille.
This morning was spent trying to organise enrolling Douglas into junior high school. Getting emails, printing, filling in, taking photos and sending emails. It's just a little more difficult to do from the other side of the world.
Before getting on the road we stopped in at Cable's Sporting and Outdoor store, they have lots of stuffed animals around the store.
This is the type of store I could spend quite some time (and dollars in)
We then hit the interstate, cruising along at 80 mph, there are a lot of bikes on the road and in the motels now.
A stop at the site of the Battle of Little Big Horn was a must to soak up some local history.
Then back on the interstate to Sheridan in 40 degrees plus temp, we arrived not long before the weather struck. We were cooling off in the indoor pool when the thunder, lightning, wind, rain and hail started. It lasted for at least 1/2 hour before disappearing and getting hot again.
Dinner was at Lilly's Irish pub and grille.
Billings-Red Lodge-Billings
Today (Wed 1st) we only have a short trip, 60 miles, because we have more days than we have distance to travel. We spent the morning organising the next 5 nights accomodation. We were in Billings about 12.30, booked into our motel and were planning lunch when we realised that Vicki's bras are still hanging out to dry on the back of the toilet door in Red Lodge, Bugger.
Buffalo Wild Wings had been recommended by a friend so we went there for lunch, thanks Chris. A nice meal! I was amazed at how many tv's were around the walls showing sports of all kinds, but more than that, each booth had its own tv in it.
For me it was back on the bike for a quick trip to Red Lodge and back. I passed through Joliet, again, a small town made famous by the movie Wild Hogs. I also stopped to take a picture of the general store in Boyd (or is that Keith) it was the only business there except a large storage unit. An unusual place in the middle of nowhere.
After returning with the lingerie it was time for a dip in the pool before eating at Appleby's also recommended. Thanks Donald.
Buffalo Wild Wings had been recommended by a friend so we went there for lunch, thanks Chris. A nice meal! I was amazed at how many tv's were around the walls showing sports of all kinds, but more than that, each booth had its own tv in it.
For me it was back on the bike for a quick trip to Red Lodge and back. I passed through Joliet, again, a small town made famous by the movie Wild Hogs. I also stopped to take a picture of the general store in Boyd (or is that Keith) it was the only business there except a large storage unit. An unusual place in the middle of nowhere.
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