All Roads Lead to Sturgis

Little did we know when we started this trip (and postponed it a week) that we would be in the Black Hills and Rapid City in the middle of the Sturgis Motorcycle Ralley just north of Rapid City.  It is estimated that at least 500,000 motorcycles are here for the event, and we believe it!  We have been seeing them for miles on the way here, and now we see entire towns with motorcycles everywhere.

Fortunately, we are staying with Pamela's cousin Virginia and her family south of Rapid City.  They have a full RV spot next to the house with a 30 amp outlet, sewer dump and water.  Since it is in the 90's here (still cooler than home in Oregon) being plugged in for air conditioning is a must for us.

We have had a good visit with Virginia and her daughter Linda, husband Glenn and son Broc.  We will have dinner with more of the family tomorrow night before we leave for Mitchell, SD on Friday.

Sturgis Street Scene--Quite a Few Bikes

We took a drive today up to Sturgis to look at the spectacle that is the Ralley and it was both loud and interesting.  We will include a few photos of the sights, but can't share the sounds.  It was pretty loud as groups of twenty or more motorcycles drove by.  They close off Main Street and allow only motorcycle parking down the middle.  Lots of stores that sell all things motorcycle related--and other stuff too.  Pamela remarked that she didn't see an audiologist booth for checking hearing--they might do a good business.

Lots of Custom Bikes to Be Seen

A John Deere and Farm All Tractor Theme Bikes

"Pain for Sale"  Interesting Marketing Approach

One of the Few Painted Tanks We Saw

After spending an hour of so walking Main Street in Sturgis, we decided to take the Spearfish Canyon Drive through the Black Hills National Forest.  We shared the road with several hundred motorcycles, and found every pull out and place to stop packed with motorcycles.  We decided to go through Lead and Deadwood to see it things were less crowed...and they weren't.

We drove back to Rapid City for lunch, a stop for some tire tools for Neil and some groceries.  It was a good day with some interesting things to see and experience.

The votes are in, and it turns out that the small, green comment icon DOES NOT WORK for most people.  We think it works only for people who use google gmail, but are not certain about that.  If you have any comments or suggestions, please send us a note at hagafinn@gmail.com and we will read them there.  Sorry for the mis-direction.

Tomorrow we will see if we can get into Mount Rushmore, and Neil wants to install the last two tire pressure sensors on the RV.  He says that it "an adventure in TPMS".

Thanks for tuning in and reading.  Best wishes from Neil and Pamela.