Sturgis

Thursday night we rode about three hours to Central Minnesota and met Phil and Susan. We took a break at the Twin Cities dealership and I bought forward controls and two outlaw pipes for my Dyna back home.

Early Friday morning a bunch of riders gathered at Phil's house for Sturgis. I was tired. The thought to ride almost 600 miles that Friday kept me awake all night long. But it wasn't that strong. My 3 gallons gas tank allowed just 100 miles stages.

Late Friday afternoon we got to Sturgis. Bikes, wherever I turned my head. ‚My' Low Rider challenged each other bike, the sound particularly. Saturday morning bikes were cleaned and we rode down to Sturgis Main Street. Some of us garnished their breakfast with a Bloody Mary at 9:30. A nice ride brought us to Deadwood. I won some bucks on a video poker machine. We headed towards Mt.Rushmore. My camera was prepared to take pictures. But I couldn't believe what happened there. Pat, Joy, Phil, Susan, Frank, Vicky, Mike and I passed by the faces!! All I got was some three shy and quick views while riding on 40mph. Sundays we rode the lovely Spearfish Canyon. My friends left Monday morning and headed east, back to Minnesota and Wisconsin.

I headed west into Wyoming to the DevilsTower. Stayed overnight at Newcastle,WY.

Next day I had time enough to see Mt.Rushmore. On Iron Mountain Road to Custer State Park and back on the Needles Highway to Rapid City. Great food and beverage in funny Wall,SD.

The Badlands are what ads say: A piece of the moon. It's simultaneously repellent and attractive. I took some breathtaking pictures at sunset and sunrise and returned to Sturgis, Buffalo Chip Campground.

I, the 68er, was at the end of the trail. I had got a job, had found a woman, had raised two kids, bought a Harley, rode to Sturgis and would see Steppenwolf that night. And it was a great show. Friday morning at 6:00am I headed east to Henderson. Phil and Susan offered me a bed for the night.