Sturgis, 2013

[955i]

I have flown over the Bad Lands several times in private planes. It's interesting while flying low. However, I look forward to someday spending several days exploring on the ground. I want to see Teddy's place.

[wildbears]

We've camped in both the N and S Badlands. Lot's of coyotes howling during the night.

[955i]

Bears, what do you know about Roosevelt's ranch?

[wildbears]

Haven't been there. BTW, the campground we stayed in there was along the river and frequented by the wild horses.

[wildbears]

Actually, thinking back, I think we did go there but there wasn't really anything to see. According to the net, only a foundation remains. The "ranch" is just up the river/road from where we camped.

[wildbears]

Our "Camp/RV Site" in the N. Badlands....

[wildbears]

"Wild horses, especially stallions, often defecate in the same spots to create territorial "stud piles" or "dung depots," leaving their scent as a strong communication marker."

[wildbears]

Hill City, South Dakota. 1st pic is from the internet site.

[955i]

Steam engines are cooler than Harleys, and just about as technologically advanced.

[wildbears]

Off to Spearfish Canyon....

[cabnfvr]

Custer State Park, Hwy 16A, Scovel Johnson Tunnel. George and the gang are visible through this one. We rode through the park with zero traffic (but it wasn't Sturgis time).

[wildbears]

Good shot. Apparently there are several tunnels that line up with Mt. Rushmore.

[955i]

Custer State Park and the ride to Rushmore is the first time in my life I got tired of a twisty road. Cathy and I were on a fairly useful Honda CX-500 V-twin. But, it had excessive CV-carb delay and a lot of slack in the transmission and rear-end shaft drive. In slow and go hairpins following lines of RV's and camper trailers, it was miserable.

Interesting little bike though. I had it set up with a cafe fairing and lower bars. It looked like a baby Moto Guzzi LeMans. Though it could actual "do the ton," it was superb at a steady 80-85 mph on the Interstate or other clear road. It never complained. It was planted and just "got its legs" in that situation. The fairing made a smooth bubble to ride in.

[wildbears]

Spearfish Canyon...

[wildbears]

[wildbears]