Left Grand Rapids, MN yesterday morning. It was another one of those "romantic" days I talked about earlier...Pouring rain and 54 degrees. I am telling you, that Al Gore fellas is really on to something with that "global warming" theory of his!
For those of us who ride, please explain something to me: Why is it we love to ride beside a flowing river/creek/ocean and just love the calming utopia it puts us in? We all have had that urge just to park the bike on a hot day and just jump into the body of water we are riding along side of. Yet, the cold, pouring rain, running up my sleeve and settling in my arm pits, fogging my face shield, filling my boot, just does not give me that same "utopia." In fact, I am sick of it already! =-)
Regardless, it only lasted three hours. It was a bitter sweet morning. We did some fantastic riding yet, we had to bid farewell to Jud & Brenda. They rode back to the East and we headed West. What a great time was had. Like Steve said and I can only echo his sentiments, "what good people!"
I did have a blow out yesterday. Nope, not my tire, my boot! The zipper came out of my boot. I am thinking that did not help my "utopia" I was experiencing in the pouring rain. As we were riding through Brainerd, MN I decided to stop and ask if there was a local cobbler. That was a great idea had I not laid my leather jacket on my exhaust and melted the zipper!
I was lucky, I found a business in downtown Brainerd that was tops! It was kind of like the story of the guy going into the hardware store for a water hose and coming out with a new riding mower. Before it was all over....I had a new zipper in my boot, a new zipper in my jacket, new laces, and even resoled my boots! All for only $95. It was a heck of a deal. If you are ever in Brainerd, MN and need repairs...go to Harting Shoe Repair! On top of that.....He is a true Patriot! Thinks just like the majority of us do! It restored my faith in some of the people of MN!
Finally after three and a half hours of "leather" work we were on our way again. We were hoping to make Sturgis by night fall. Just a little more than 700 miles. My blow out negated that idea. Plus, we ran into a mega thunderstorm. You have heard of "storm chaser" well, we were storm avoider's! And that is why we didn't make Sturgis. GPS's are great (most of the time.) Let's just say, we got an excellent scenic tour of the state of MN. I found some roads that I had never seen even living there for eleven years! But, it was gorgeous riding. So, we really can't complain.
Finally rolled into the state of South Dakota around 430 PM Central time. It was decided we would take back roads to Sturgis vs the interstate. Great decision except.....very few hotels! We were ready to call it a night around 8 PM when we discovered...we were not as ready as we thought. The only hotel in the small town of Redland, SD was full. So, south to Huron, SD we went. Another 45 miles. Only to discover all five hotels here was full too! Brenda....this "not having reservations" was not working for me last night. Finally we got rooms (smoking, conference rooms with Murphy beds). And you know what...I was damn grateful at 1030 PM at night to have them!
I will say this...last night as we crested one of the many loping hills in SD we caught the sun going down. It was a gorgeous evening. We rolled over the hill and there was the beautiful valley in SD being lit by the setting sun. Visibility had to be 100 miles plus! No smog, no cars, no light poles, (no hotels)! It reminded me of a great song by George Strait. The song is Cowboys Like Us. The chorus goes like this:
Cowboys like us sure do have fun
Racin’ the wind, chasin’ the sun
Take the long way around back to square one
Today we’re just outlaws out on the run
There’ll be no regrets, no worries and such
For cowboys like us
We talk about livin’, babies, and women
All that we’ve lost and all we’ve been givin’
We sing about true love, lie about things we ain’t done
Drink one more cold one, come mornin’ get up
And we roll!
I will tell you this. These people in SD are hospitable as can be. They even named one of their cities after Steve. They offered us the key to the city. Unfortunately, there were no buildings in the city!
More sad news to report:
Dear PETA,
It is with a heavy heart I have to write and inform you I hit a bird yesterday with my bike and it's life was taken. I felt terrible. As soon as I quit sobbing I called the help line at, 1-800-IEATMEAT! The counselor made me feel so much better. He asked a very simple question: Do you think the bird felt any pain? I recounted what happening leading up to the incident. I was doing approximately 80 MPH, the bird was flying left to right when he contacted my right fork on the bike. Using my past law enforcement investigative skills. It was my conclusion from all the feathers stuck to my bike...I answered no, he/she did not feel any pain. The counselor said I should feel no remorse.
With that in mind, I shall have a big, juicy filet to celebrate tonight. Just wanted to let you know!
Rick (Bird Killer)
PS...since I barely missed a squirrel, a racoon, and a pheasant earlier...I look at it this way: I have at least been 75% good!
OK, time to load up and head for the Black Hills of SD!
Bumper sticker of the day:
"Talk is cheap, Unless you are congress!"
Rick (MDD)
Guess that's why we're so dry here in Mooresville, all the rains following you guys. At least some of us are DRY... Don't mess with those PETA women, they're TUFF...guess its from all those vegetables..Ride safe keep Steve in line.......
ReplyDelete