Sturgis: Day 7—Ridin’ to Devil’s Tower
August 06, 2008
Today we go into Wyoming to see Devil’s Tower.
The husband describes it as such: “It is this huge rock ....“
He estimates it is 5,000 feet or so. A tree stump with roots.
It is 62 degrees this morning and very pleasant. We are getting breakfast and hooking up with Richard and William, who we didn’t see yesterday, and Tim and Sandi and Mule and Jen from Texas.
Richard, the experienced Sturgis goer, spends a lot of time in Deadwood. Can you say casino? When we were over there the other night, I asked a local who told me there are probably 60 casinos there. Don’t think Biloxi. Think every little shop on the street filled with slot machines and blackjack tables. Second floor restaurants, maybe hotels. It is a beautiful town with brick streets, but I don’t care for casinos. Our Deadwood day trip is Friday, so we will explore the history then.
While in Wyoming today, I am looking up some locals. A Pierre farmer sent me an email and because this year’s wheat harvest was late he is not able to come to the rally. His in-laws own the trading post at Devil’s Tower, so I am looking up the family. He says they have the world’s largest Harley Davidson flag, which only flys during Bike Week.
The news says 60-something accidents and two fatalities. Attendance is for sure down, everybody says—I have no point of reference. We have seen or visited with folks from Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, California, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, Texas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Arkansas, Florida, both Carolinas, Connecticut ..... High gas prices didn’t stop some of us.
As we were driving back through Sturgis yesterday, we passed the house on “the corner,“ where the guy was jumping on the trampoline in the grass skirt the other day. Anyway, as we stop to make the turn, a guy picks up the bullhorn and asks me to show him ... you know.
I just laugh and shake my head.
“Come on,“ he urges. “You got ‘em.“
“They are 50 years old!“ I shout back.
Some other guy hits the siren. Weeeooo, weeeooo, weeeooo .... It is a front yard full of old men with beards down to their chests. Enjoying the show. But this show ain’t playin’.
I am just thinking the husband has set a very high standard for anniversary gifts. Did that sound funny after the previous story? Year one I get Sturgis. What can he do next year? I know, Sturgis at a hotel with a hot tub! Really, the hotel is not for me. Camping is just too fun!
It’s supposed to warm up to the high 80s today. The Badlands yesterday was about 10 degrees hotter than away from the Badlands. Face hurts.
Later.
