Photos from the Past

PAPI and TI TI!!!

No fish today!

Yellowstone

In the kitchen with Bob & Patty

Are they related?

Dixie Idaho Toni and Dennis home

The recumbent riders

Patsy & Sally

Nate and Jaden with the crew

Meeting in Yellowstone

The girl and her fish!

Shayna riding?

Mt. Rushmore from behind

Posy & Shayna

The gangs all here

Old Faithful

Cody, Wyoming at the Places

Red Barn in Cody

Sheridan with Patty & Bob 

Feeding time

Cowgirl and Bike girl

Sheridan at Mike's Sisters home (Charlotte)

Update1 from Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Rumor has it that I have not posted anything on this blog since June 19th, back in Wisdom, Montana.  I cannot possibly list all that has happened, but will hit the highlights.  Still an amazing trip.  Very glad we did this.

We left Wisdom on the morning of June 20th, after saying hello to Natalie, Jordan and Israel, three young kids we had first run into a few days back in Hamilton and Sula.  They ended up in the Nez Perce Motel after we had arrived.  They, as Terri has probably already mentioned, are college friends from Tennessee.  They started their journey in Astoria, Oregon and are headed for Virginia or so (can't remember exactly where).

Our original plans called for us to stop in Jackson, Montana for the night, but we were informed that the annual Rainbow People gathering was scheduled to start in a few days outside of Jackson.  The purpose of the organization is to promote peace and goodwill among people of the world, but unfortunately a few members of the group have caused problems in the past (primarily theft we are told), so the local communities do not look forward to these gatherings.  We stopped in Jackson for food and noted the large police presence.  We decided to press on to Dillon for the night.

Just east of Jackson, we climbed a hill and dropped down into probably the most beautiful valley I have ever seen.  Terri took a photo, but it did not capture even a fraction of this awesome valley.  Mike took a photo, so hopefully we can get a copy of that after the trip.  A single ranch house and barn surrounded by lush green pastures and cattle, with snow-capped mountains lining the valley.  We could have stopped there and been happy with our journey.

Shortly thereafter, we ran across two ladies, Patsy and Sally, riding recumbent bikes.  They are both 64 years old.  Their goal is to cross the U.S. before age 70.  They do travel slowly, but not that slow.  They take three weeks each summer to tackle the next stage of the journey. This is their third year of doing this.  They were headed to the KOA campground in Dillon for the night.  There were some large climbs in this area, and both of them had around 100 pounds of baggage on their bikes.  We volunteered to take their panniers and other miscellaneous equipment ahead in the truck to the KOA for them, which they let us do.

When we arrived at the KOA, we decided to stay their for the night, also.  Just as we were setting up our tents, it began to rain.  Looked to me like a major storm brewing.  I was worried about Patsy and Sally, so I drove the truck back west to look for them.  Found them just a few miles outside Dillon, but they did not want a ride into town.  They are firmly set on biking every single mile!  Earlier, when it appeared to them that a storm was about to break, they spotted an old barn on the side of the road and pulled into it to wait out the storm.  A woman, apparently the owner, drove up a few minutes later and insisted that Patsy and Sally vacate the premises, or else she would call the police.  So not everyone in the U.S. is friendly.  Maybe, the woman (I think Patsy used the word, "witch") thought Patsy and Sally were Rainbow People.  Who knows.  Fortunately, the storm did not materialize.

Shortly after Patsy and Sally reached the KOA, Natalie, Jordan and Israel also arrived.  To save space, the three kids share one tent, which appears to be designed for no more than two people.  Natalie said Jordan and Israel sleep with their heads at one end; Natalie sleeps between them with her head at the other end.  To be young, again!

The KOA was our first of the journey (actually, my first ever).  We were spoiled by the manager, Bob.  He likes bicycle riders.  He discounted our fare ($25 dollars total for all of us), provided free coffee, lattes, hot chocolate and as many bags of ice as we needed. The tents site was on the banks of  a river (Beaverhead, I believe), nice green grass, hot showers, laundry facilities (Terri got quarters in change from Bob, then lost some of those quarters out a hole in her jacket pocket while walking back to our site, which Bob insisted on replacing at his cost!). 

[Well, I was going to just hit a few highlights for the past 20 days, but appears to be too many highlights.  I'll finish later today.]

Day Off At Last!

It has been 9 days since we last had a rest day.  I would not say that Ray is a slave driver, BUT RAY IS A SLAVE DRIVER!   We are back at a KOA and thankful to be here after a few harrowing moments of near flood catastrophes and 70 mile an hour winds.  This weather in this neck of the woods is crazy!  Blue skies one moment and torrential down pours in the next.  I have to admit we have been through some beautiful farm lands in the last few days and towns with a population under 100 seems to be the common thread of this fabric of land.  America the Beautiful!  Just met a family this morning from North Carolina traveling across country with their 6 children under the age of 13.  They have a van like the one Ray and I need to haul all the kiddos for more trips like this.  The best part of the rides some days is just the people you meet and the small towns that make up this Country of ours.  You sometimes forget that there is so much more out there than the cities with the hustle and bustle we become so comfortable with.  We much be near an Air Force base as the third jet this morning has just blown over.  Back to the cities.......the biggest traffic concern we come across is road work on the roads, and the big trucks.  Very few cars, come to think of it no electric cars yet.....Lots of motorcycles for travelers like ourselves and mostly Ford F150's.  Go Henry Ford!  Margie is getting into the camping lifestyle, I even overheard her to Mike yesterday say "Mike, I think I like this camping."  Admittedly KOA camping is a step up from most, a welcome step up on this trip!  Margie is also becoming a Walmart shopper!  Yes, hard to believe but let me tell you this one stop shopping that fits all your needs is great, and the prices can't be beat......Ray seems to be the glue that keeps life together on the road.  This too is a welcome change for me who seems to be the glue that keeps life not on the road together.  As I have said all along, I am here for the adventure and an adventure it is.  My riding skills are improving or so I would like to believe.  My legs feels great but I have no problem in saying that I am good for a 60 mile ride but pressed to go further when I don't have to.  Smooth roads, and favorable winds are my wish for each day and if even some of these take place life is good.....Well, I was just joined by the curmudgeon bike rider Mike who is off to get Margi and head to the ice cream shop.  That will put a smile on their faces for a few moments.  Movie day for some of us on this day off.  Star Trek here we come......Next road stop Minnesota!   Love to all!

Missouri river

$20 Hotel stay Host Teresa.  She not only gives us a room she fixes our dinner.  Teresa says " this is what we do here in South Dakota".

Cabin after the storm and over the Missouri River crossing.  Thank you Mr. Park Ranger!

DO NOT CUT THE BUTTS OFF YOUR ONIONS

Here we are sitting at a motel/campground in Parkston South Dakota and the owner of the property is cooking us dinner, having Mike pick fresh lettuce from the garden out back, and since it is more than likely raining and hailing tonight she has given us a room in the motel for $20 for the night.  Our camp site was no charge.  Amazing people.......I have been using Teresa's  Internet for work while she is talking and cooking up a storm.  .  Heaven!!!  Just when I was thinking not so many nice things about South Dakota!  Lesson learned!!

Motel Eight In South Dakota

We rode over Hill and Dell Yesterday for miles, and  miles and miles.  This was after riding over hill after hill after hill the day before for 92 miles for the guys, 76 miles for me and hours and hours of driving and stopping for Margi.  We are back on schedule, and now I can report only 3 more days of green hills, up and down with endlessly straight roads.  Our fourth of July was spent at KOA in Interior   South Dakota, a town of 67.  Apparently they have a good fireworks display however the best we got were a few sounds.  Everyone was exhausted after the days ride.  I knew biking out of the campground yesterday that the very first hill, pedals from the start was going to be the beginning of another long day.  Every hill Ray says, this is the last one.......crest the top to see the straight road ahead with another long hill!  At the end of the day we had to load the bikes and head to the interstate in search of a motel. Nothing in sight and the only camping was the city park with no services and porta pots at best.  Thus the motel eight for the night.......Murdo was our stopping point albeit we biked to White River.  We will start out again from White River and our destination is Winner S.D.

Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse and the Needles Scenic Drive are definitely South Dakotas High Lights.  These sights are a must to see and on our list for more visits.  The KOA at Mt. Rushmore is awesome! Great camping sights all around this area so lots of choices.  I have to admit Mt. Rushmore has changed a bit since I last saw it with the girls.  Pretty simple compared to today's developments, museums, and parking lots.  Lots have changed since 1988.

Photos still to come along with updates from Ray.  All day long on the bike I think about writing in the blog and what to say.   Days later when I have service to do so I have long since forgotten all the wonderful stories and colors of the day.  Truly amazing.  Another deer crossed the road yesterday in front of us.  This one was a white tail.  Must be lots of turtles in this neck of the woods.  Dead ones, along the sides of the road.  Mike fills our days with one liners and keep our spirits through out the day.   Margi is a great sag driver and seems to be happy as long as her facebook is up and running.  Ray pretty much stays focused straight forward with a consistent pedal  up the hills and down the hills.  Me........I just keep plugging forward.  Slow and easy up the hills and fast down hills to make up time.  Favorite drink of the day still seems to be gatorade, seven up and water.......At the end of the day Mikes Hard Lemonade.........Favorite breakfast for Mike of course is pancakes; Ray a combo of cakes and eggs and for me if it is a few hours into the ride....biscuits and gravy....(just for you George!)  Margi goes for the over cooked eggs and all of us would die for fresh fruit however that seems to be limited in these parts.  In fact if it doesn't moo around here you probably don't eat. They haven't heard much about fresh veggies in these parts.

Needles highway

crazy horse

Margi in wheel chair to see the musuem at crazy horse

shoot out in Deadwood

The Bear's Lodge

AKA Devils Towers.....great 1.3 mile hike today with the Ranger learning all about this special place.  Interesting fact of the day.  A German hiker in the 80's climbed the tower in 18 minutes without any equipment.  No small feat for a 870 foot climb up a sheer rock cliff.  Lots of climbers on the mountain today.  Average time to climb 4-5 hours and 1 hour to return.  Keira this is a climb to fill your hearts desire.  You too Nolan!!!  The top of the mountain is about the size of a football field.  The Indian tribes in this area still hold religious ceremonies on the hill.  In the trees are various colors of cloth that the Indians sometimes wrap special gifts to their loved ones they wish to honor who have passed and when the cloths blow in the wind their prayers are sent to the heavens.  They use the colors of green for earth, blue for the sky, white, black, yellow, red  representing the colors of humans and the directions East,West,North and South.  Roosevelt made this a National Monument however in the treaty with the Indians this land was granted to them.  Custer somehow got in the way.  Guess he could not read!

A day of rest and enjoying the sights.  Tomorrow we head South to South East with one 19 mile section North to Spearfish.  No we are not spearfishing as I thought, we are going to Spearfish.  Thank you Mike an Ray for clarification.

BNSF

It was like be a part of an Old Western Movie.  Riding through the soft hills of Wyoming with the green hills and the railroad cars of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe trains carrying coal from the East to the West.  What a beautiful country we all call home!  We left Gillette yesterday and heading for new sights.  Stayed last night at KOA in Devil's Tower.  We are right at the base of the hill and heading into the part shortly.  I wrote a whole post yesterday but somehow it failed to post so after our park visit I will re create most of what you may have missed.  Also I will at last add photos.  The last week has been phenomenal starting with the ride out of Yellowstone (52 miles in 2.5 hours) with Gregor at the helm and Cody and Sheridan!  Wow, you can be inspired by this area of the country.  We are working our way down to Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse and Ray has changed our route so he will have to update all on that.

Sheridan Wyoming was an awesome place.  We had a wonderful dinner and joined up with all the family once again on this trip at Patty and Bob Usher's Ranch.  Amazing place with beautiful views, lovely Cowboy Ranch home and great barns, corrals, grazing pastures for horses, chickens and Nolan, Keira and Taelyn's favorite event of the day.  A ride up and over the mountains in Quads.  Magoo the Parrot was kind of a favorite as well.  Thanks to Bob and Patty for great accommodations and hospitality.  A return visit is a must!