Now I understand the allure of Sturgis Bike Week. Maybe I should take a look at a map once in a while. I never realized how close Sturgis is to the Black Hills. NO – that’s not right – it’s IN the Black Hills. And this has got to be some of the best motorcycling roads this side of the Mississippi. It also has Mt. Rushmore, and not to far from Badlands National Park. This could be a summer destination for many people, just as Lake George in New York, or Yosemite in California. There are also some great roads in Wyoming, but the scenic ones are a little further west. As I was leaving Cody and coming over the crest on a small butte, it made me realize just how HUGE and RURAL this area really is. The roads seemed to extend into neverland in any direction you looked, but it wasn’t that unusual to not see any cars. For the first 45 miles I traveled out of Cody, I counted 19 cars, 3 trucks, and 7 motorcycles – and countless livestock. At one point, I had to stop because they were herding cattle across and down the road, like it was a big round-up. Another thing that you won’t see anywhere that we live – even though we are in the Snow Belt. They have signs warning you that the road ahead is closed because of snow if the flashing lights are activated. In some cases, they even tell you what to do if the road is closed – turn around and go back to the previous town! They even have these signs on the interstate – with gates that close and signs warning of high fines. As much as I think this is a beautiful area, it’s only for visiting – not living!
It doesn’t appear that Mt Rushmore has changed over the last 20 years, but the surrounding areas are BOOMING! The small town of Keystone, just outside the monument, is like of who’s who of motel chains and restaurants. The historical town of Deadwood, which gained fame for the Black Hills gold rush and the town where Wild Bill Hickok was killed, has done an admirable job of attracting tourists with its old west image and gaming casinos.
As enjoyable as the US and state routes were to travel, it felt good to get back to the security of the interstates where there are fewer worries about livestock and cars coming from the side, and where you can set the cruise control and watch the miles melt away. I’m about 1000 miles from Jens place in Chicago, so the plan of attack is to get enough miles tomorrow so I can make the Windy City by Friday, which should be no problem. Home on Monday – what a trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It doesn’t appear that Mt Rushmore has changed over the last 20 years, but the surrounding areas are BOOMING! The small town of Keystone, just outside the monument, is like of who’s who of motel chains and restaurants. The historical town of Deadwood, which gained fame for the Black Hills gold rush and the town where Wild Bill Hickok was killed, has done an admirable job of attracting tourists with its old west image and gaming casinos.
As enjoyable as the US and state routes were to travel, it felt good to get back to the security of the interstates where there are fewer worries about livestock and cars coming from the side, and where you can set the cruise control and watch the miles melt away. I’m about 1000 miles from Jens place in Chicago, so the plan of attack is to get enough miles tomorrow so I can make the Windy City by Friday, which should be no problem. Home on Monday – what a trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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