FREE BEER!!

Had to take a day off. Was trying to figure out how to download my videos into my computer. I almost called my wiz kid neighbor for help! Finally got it up and going. Now I just need to learn how to edit them.

I am sure you are just dying to see a five minute video of Spearfish Canyon or Needles Hwy! Got up Thursday and went for a nice ride over to Devils Tower. Gorgeous day for riding. It is my forth time and every time is just amazes me how incredible and amazing it is, in person. It still makes the hair stand up on my arms as I round the corner on Hwy 24 and see it. It is almost like an enormous rocket ship just emerging from the ground waiting for count down. Truly an amazing natural wonder. It was the very first National Monument.



I will never understand why people always want to go to Europe and places when we have so much to offer right here in America. Just spectacular sights.

Left Devils Tower and took Steve on the "round about" back to Deadwood, SD. A little on the warm side, 97, yesterday. So, when it's 97 and you pass a place called "Polly's Pub" in the greatest little town in America according to the city limit sign...it was calling: "Rick, Steve, Rick, Steve." Being true southern gentlemen...we turned our bikes around and headed back to Polly's! Ice cold beer. The bottles had frost on them! Great little stop.

Popped on over to Deadwood, SD. Had dinner and a beer or two there and headed back to Sturgis. We got in a good 225 mile ride.

Got up early again this morning and rode out to cover Spearfish Canyon, Mt Rushmore, Iron Mountain Rd, and Needles Hwy. First stop was the same breakfast place I have been going to since my brother Randy, and friend Fringy first came out here. It has since been sold but, still the same friendliness as before. Our new favorite waitress is Michelle. She gave us the low down on "Howdy's" dinner. Amazing, the gas station is also called "Howdy's." This Howdy fella gets around. Regardless, she is cute as a button and perfect teeth. If you find yourself in Whitewood, SD...stop in. Be forewarned....she does not like to ride long distance. When we talked about how far we had riddeN...her response...UGHHHHHHH! Filled up and headed out.



First road was Spearfish Canyon. A small, narrow road deep in wooded canyon walls. A couple of nice waterfalls as well. Sunny and very comfortable ride.

Went up to Mt Rushmore. I am pretty sure the girl running the "parking concession" booth will not be sending me a Christmas card. What a crock of poop! Steve and I both bought the "Annual Pass" that was suppose to cover every National Park back in MI. $80. We figured by the time we got back, it would be worth it. WRONG! Concession Booth Princess informed me my pass was no good since Mt Rushmore was a "monument" and not a "park." So, we had to pay for "parking." I told her what I thought of that idea. Then she asked me what state I was from. I asked if she was going to send me a Christmas card. She failed to see/understand my humor. I asked her why she needed to know. ( I am sure the long line behind me had nothing to do while I made a new friend in SD) She said they tracked where visitors were from and wanted to know where my bike was registered. I obliged her..."the moon!" Again, she failed to see my humor. I then offered to tell her for $10. That is when she informed me if "I wanted to proceed, I had better tell her where the bike was from." My next answer was NC and drove off! Under my breath I was saying, "to the moon Alice, to the moon!"

Later as I thought about it....Devils Tower is also a "monument" and I didn't get charged there to park. Maybe that is part of the "change." It was kind of cool. One of the original "drillers" was in the gift shop signing books. I asked when they planned to start on President Reagan's addition. He was not amused either. So, I left Mt Rushmore!

Started on Iron Mountain Hwy. Very nice at first. Then, it quickly turned into another one of those "romantic" days again! Steve, me and a herd of wild burros. It was "special." Especially when the morons from MN started feeding the burros from their minivan. I had my video camera ready. I was thinking $10,000 first prize when the burro went into the van. Unfortunately it never happened.

Left Iron Mountain and went directly to Needles Hwy. From what little I could see the first ten miles was excellent. We did manage to talk the guys who drive the jeeps on "bison tours" to allow us to park in their garage during the lighting. Great guys. Again, I am just not sure how Obama got elected. These guys were all on the same page as us. (Candace...come over from the dark side)!

The rain let up a little and according to Weatherman Steve...it was "done." It was, until about 1/4 mile down the road and the buckets really let go! Sat under a tree with a couple from NE. Nice folks. Even though the girl would not put her jacket on and she was riding in shorts, flip flops and chaps. Her reasoning was.....she didn't want her jacket to get wet! Ummmm, I think that is why I bought a rain jacket. I know I am going out on a limb on that one. But, God smiled down on us! The last five miles of Needles Hwy the sun came out. It is the best part of the ride. So, not all was lost.

Tomorrow we ride out for Red Lodge, MT via the Little Big Horn Battlefield that my friend Tommy wanted included in the ride plan. Oh, that's right....Tommy couldn't come. His wife Peggy would not sign his permission slip. No problem Tommy....I will dazzle Steve with all my research I put into the stop! =-) I just realized now why your alma mater uses a Chicken for the mascot! =-)

FREE BEER: On the way to Devils Tower we stopped in Hullet, WY. I wanted a Red Bull. Walked in and was told we had to go to the bar to get it. Walked around the corner and there was Helga from Germany, tending bar in Hullet, WY. I got my Red Bull and she looked at me like, "is that it you puss?" So, I ordered a local beer. (it was after noon in NC...10 here) Then Steve ordered. He wanted a PBR. As soon as he ordered, I saw a sign for Schlitz $1! He asked if she had Schlitz for a $1. She said "no, I will give it to you if you will really drink it!" No one drinks Schlitz in WY! (and pays for it!)

Bumper Sticker of the day: I WILL KEEP MY FREEDOM, MY MONEY, MY GUNS....YOU CAN KEEP YOUR CHANGE!

Have a great weekend, Rick (MDD)