Routes had been created on Harley-Davidson's site "Plan Your Ride", hotel reservations, cabin rental, grocery list, motorcycle safety check and a welcome dinner all completed. After ten months of planning, the day had finally arrived! Two couples met in Watertown, while the other two met in Oregon. Arrangements were made that breakfast would be at the Pine Cone Restaurant off of I-94 and Hwy 51 at 6:00am. Marc, Jim and I each wore our Wisconsin Tourin' Hawgs "safety green" t-shirt. Brad new to the "club" decided not to invest in one, but we made him an honorary member with a shirt that read, "Scooter, Sport, Scout...aka Prospect". His of course did not have the full "Back Colors" that ours did, keep in mind he had to earn them! Any highlighted words once "clicked" on lead to additional information.
Our first stop of any significance was in Albert Lea, MN at Bergdale Harley-Davidson. After about an hour of shopping, ladies mostly (right Jen and Sabrina!?), it was time to ride-on! After a few more hours, rest/gas/bathroom stops we checked into Mitchell, SD Days Inn at around 4:30pm CST, a ride that covered around 530 miles. First things first, a walk to the gas station/convenience store next door for some adult liquid refreshments, then the pool, water slide and hot tub. Later we played "Frogger" as we crossed a busy street to dine at Twin Dragon Chinese Restaurant. Brad even entertained us before the main course by balancing a spoon on his nose!
Sunday started with a quick ride over to The Corn Palace and some photo opps! We filled our tanks prior to leaving Mitchell on our way to Chamberlain, SD. If ever there was a prize for best wayside in America, the one in Chamberlain would win HANDS DOWN! Views of the Missouri River were spectacular! After a needed break, we continued our westward adventure towards the Badlands National Park! Before entering the park a must stop at the Badlands Trading Post was a must! We had hoped for our first of many Buffalo Burgers, but settled for a wonderful Buffalo Hot Dog and needed mustard packets for the rest of the week! Upon entering the Badlands, we were informed that many of the roads received a layer of pea gravel and oil! A week before 700,000 motorcycles merge upon South Dakota! Much of the pea gravel were in areas that had switchbacks and riders needed to roll-on their throttles. This was a test of riding skills for sure. After a short time, we were tested further with a steady rain, at least the temps weren't in the upper 90's as in past years! The weather improved as we made our way to Wall. What's a trip to South Dakota without stopping for ice cream at Wall Drug? Our first stop in Wall was at Badlands Harley-Davidson. As we later ate our ice cream we watched other riders arrive. Before leaving Wall I was informed that one of my directional lights in front was out, this the only mishap after riding almost 900 miles! We left Wall and rode to Rapid City Harley-Davidson. A week before the Sturgis Rally and there were tents with vendors eagerly ready to lighten your wallet of those Benjamins. While others shopped, I got my $5 replacement bulb. After only about 30 minutes we were back on I-90 towards Sturgis and Boulder Canyon (Hwy 14A) towards Deadwood and Lead. Our cabin was located a few miles west of Lead off of Hwy 85. I found the cabin through VRBO and we all decided upon Cash's Sluce a part of the Gilded Mountain rentals. Deadwood Connections, the rental agents agreed to do our grocery shopping prior to our arrival! Our cabin had three bedrooms plus a loft, two 3/4 bathrooms and 1 full bathroom, two living rooms with flat-screen TV's and fireplaces, full kitchen, deck with hot tub and brand new A/C! Since we arrived after 5:00pm, we agreed upon delivery pizza.
One canyon ride completed the previous day, Monday we were off to ride Ice Box Canyon and Spearfish Canyon on our way to Devil's Tower, WY. Both Canyons are located on Hwy 14A. After some photo opps we arrived in Spearfish and made a stop at Walgreen's to render medical aid to "C" who may have injured his right knee earlier in the week. A short ride on I-90 west took us to Sundance, WY where we exited (I-90, to Hwy 14, north to Hwy 24, after exiting Devil's Tower east on Hwy 24 to Hwy 34 into Belle Fourche and south on Hwy 85 into Spearfish). Have you ever heard the folklore of how Devil's Tower came to be?
According to the Native American tribes of the Kiowa and Lakota Sioux, some girls went out to play and were spotted by several giant bears, who began to chase them. In an effort to escape the bears, the girls climbed atop a rock, fell to their knees, and prayed to the Great Spirit to save them. Hearing their prayers, the Great Spirit made the rock rise from the ground towards the heavens so that the bears could not reach the girls. The bears, in an effort to climb the rock, left deep claw marks in the sides, which had become too steep to climb. (Those are the marks which appear today on the sides of Devils Tower.) When the girls reached the sky, they were turned into the star constellation the Pleiades.
At Devil's Tower we ate our bag lunches as Chief and Squaw made their way into the Park. Not to worry, they too got a bag lunch before leaving towards Hulett, WY and the Stone House Saloon (video shows No Panty Wednesday during the 2010 Rally). We were there on Monday and they were grading the gravel driveway, so no stopping. We made our way back to Spearfish Canyon and rode the opposite direction. You must experience the canyon in both directions! Monday was Brad and Sabrina's turn to cook for us. They prepared an awesome Mexican Menu. Each evening one of the couples prepared, served and cleaned up their dinner choice.
Tuesday morning took us to Hill City via Hwy 385, Mount Rushmore via Hwy 244, Sylvan Lake via Hwy 87, Needles Highway and Custer State Park (Black Hills Map). Hill City known for its Steam Locomotion Trains has a Harley-Davidson store, which of course we shopped at! After Hill City we rode to Mount Rushmore and spent a few hours walking the trails around the Presidents. To think back in 1927 the carving started and was later completed in 1941! In Sylvan Lake we had Buffalo Burgers and heard of a 61 year old man that went down on Needles Highway breaking his leg. In fact, as we ate we saw and heard the Ambulance make its way. I wonder if this added to the stress of two-up riding the switchbacks? Prior to the Needles we discussed what is needed to be successful, low gear and higher rpms, rear braking in turns if needed and no looking at the scenery if your are the rider, only passengers can take in the beauty while the bike is in motion! We took the Wildlife Loop through Custer and saw Burros, Pronghorns, Prairie Dogs, Bighorn Sheep, Deer and Buffalos! Back at the cabin it was Jim and Jen's turn to cook. We had a wonderful grilled chicken dinner which was made as the rest of us sat in one of the 3 hot tubs or swam in the "not-heated" outdoor pool.
Wednesday morning started with a breakfast pizza dish made by Cathy. It was so well received that it made a bother appearance Friday morning at 5:00am before heading home. Wednesday was a free-f0r-all where couples could relax since nothing was planned. Cathy and I went to Rapid City HD for more shopping, then rode Hwy 44 to Boondocks for a quick lunch followed by a wonderful ride on Nemo Road (Hwy 234) to Wonderland Cave, a 60 million year old cave in the Black Hills! The entrance to Wonderland Cave found us on a gravel road for every bit of 5 miles, climbing ever so further into the Black Hills, remember NO GUARD Rails! The Cave was really cool (around 47 degrees) but can't hold a candle to Cave of the Mounds in WI. Jim and Jen took in Lead and the mining history since Jen's Great Grandfather was a miner there. Lead has a museum that depicts all the history. Tonight was Marc and Chris's turn to cook and what else would Wisconsinites want on vacation............brats and beans of course! Another fantastic meal without any of us having to help, simply eat when ready! 
Thursday morning arrived and couples again went their own directions. Cathy and I mailed a box of t-shirts back home while in Lead and then went into Deadwood. A final shopping spree at Deadwood HD for Cathy as she added to her Pandora Bracelet with a HD chain bead. Thursday was an early day for most of us. In the afternoon we swam, sat in the hot tub and got some packing done. We talked about what others had done; Marc and Chris rode Nemo Road, Jim and Jennifer more research of Lead and the miners, Brad & Sabrina once again rode Spearfish Canyon where it is said by many he "accidentally" pushed Sabina as she twisted her right knee, or was it that "C and Squaw" were wrestling for the right to cook brats and got hurt? No one will ever know. Tonight was our turn to cook and we were pleased to have talked to the butcher in Lead who hand trimmed some tenderloins and then butterflied them into 10 large fillets. The bill for just the meat was over $80! Later after he saw and heard my reaction, he lowered it to $68. These fillets were awesome, very tender. 
Each night chief entertained us with not what many people would think, no singing and dancing, but daily ride videos he took with his GoVideo. Either it was mounted on the bike or rested onto of his helmet or that of Squaw's. Both looked a lot like one of the Teletubbies, when it was mounted on their helmets. Friday morning came way too early. After another round of Breakfast Pizza we were on our way to Albert Lea, MN for our first night. Comfort Inn was a great choice and had gas and restaurant within a short walk. After riding in 25 mph sustainable winds with gusts into the 40's coming from the SE and riding our iron horses on a constant lean all the way, we ALL needed a REST! Even Chief decided to cash in early as we didn't see him until the next morning for breakfast! Saturday morning we had rain most of the way to LaCrosse, WI! Near Tomah, Cathy and I parted from the pack enroute to King, WI and the Veterans Home where my dad now resides. Brad and Sabrina decided to leave Albert Lea once the rain had stopped and made it back to Evansville with No Rain!
The entire trip cover just under 2,400 miles with no mechanical issues other than a turn signal bulb and Jim almost losing his left saddle bag lid cover, he noticed while at the cabin that all but one of the screws had fallen off! What were once 5 screws holding it in place were now only 1! We fixed it earlier in the week after getting parts at Rapid City HD ($2.15). Thank you God for watching over us, guiding us and bringing us all home safely. It is by Your Grace we are all here.
Next year, The Tail of the Dragon in Deals Gap, NC. Watertown, WI to Greensburg, IN (Day 1 - 370 miles) then to Pigeon Forge, TN (Day 2 - 340 miles) to a 4 bedroom cabin with 6 person hot tub and sauna for $250 per night (as an example). The Dragons Tail is less than 20 miles away with a scenic ride through the Smokey Mountains National Park. Dollywood nearby! If interested get your name on the list for another late July destination adventure on Harley's with friends!
More pictures to be posted later with a link to Shutterfly. Check out this link, for added photos of other Bike Events.
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