Going East #2
I don't have a plan for this trip, other than I am going to try to go see [ Noah ] our team member in Ludington MI. I have to be back in Salt Lake City on June 6th - no matter what. If I make it to see Noah, then I might try to see Matt, maybe Randy, then head back? This is a big country and we have offices all over the place.
The reality is I like to ride my motorcycle. The new Africa Twin is very easy to ride because it has infinite power, cruise control, automatic transmission, a windshield and does not get blown around much. I know from experience that when I get back on the DR 650 Dragon and head to Alaska on 14 June, I will love it just as much, perhaps more.
I just like riding motorcycles around. I think that some people ride motorcycles to think about stuff or to ride fast or for therapy. Not me, I just like riding my motorcycle.
I like stopping to take pictures. I like BS'ing with the people that I meet. I like stopping in every museum I pass. I like camping from my motorcycle. I like drinking mate along the way. I like side trips and diversions.
I found this map in a museum:
Clearly the best way to ride is to follow the Blue and ride 212 all the way thru. Obviously.
Getting back to Encampment, I loved the museum. A lot. It is a must see for everyone.
This is a big wheel for moving big logs:
These are the tour guides who led me around and made sure I did not steal anything:
The guy in the back is a dummy, dressed up like a forest service ranger.
Here is a barb wire elk:
From Encampment, I stopped checked out Hobo Hot Springs in Saratoga, but it was a very young crowd and I was not in the soak mood so I rode to Casper. However, on the way there is a great road to Centennial which had just opened.
Mate time!
Threat of bears (los osos) because they like mate too:
and visited Bruce and Cindy on Casper Mountain. We had a great time. In the morning I headed up to Moorecroft to see Neal Gray:
Neal is doing great too. So, it was off to see Noah.
Here is Devils Tower with an Africa Twin for contrast:
Decided to camp at [ Bearlodge Campground ]
I actually slept for 11 hours, so I guess it was good camping.
In the morning I got great coffee and a wrap in Belle Fourche:
Then headed east, across South Dakota. It is flat. South Dakota is green. South Dakota is big.
This is a monument to the trailblazers who first found the Black Hills (white guys of course): Ben Ash, SC Dodge, Russ Marsh, Ed Donahue and Stimmy Stimson. Dec 26 1875:
Sue, the dinosaur, was found outside of Faith SD and there is a great little museum in town:
This was THE BEST picture:
I love the dog. And I loved this bridge over Lake Oahe:
Clearly, someone needs to film a horror movie here at the old convent in [ Zell SD ]:
There was road construction with wet tar which got on my motorcycle. I am so mad about it. I want to call the Governor of South Dakota and have the idiot crew fired who left the mess on a road over a Holiday weekend.
When I saw how bad it was, the only thing I could think of was to stop, get a hotel room, buy microfiber cloths and bug/tar remover at the Waterford Walmart, then hang out at a car wash for 2 hours getting the tar off my bike. It is still a mess, but better than when I started.
In the morning I visited the Terry Redlin art center:
If you don't know who Terry Redlin is, he is the most prolific Duck Stamp artist ever. Here is a sample of his work:
This is his home-built easel:
The building cost $10,000,000 to build 20 years ago. It is on an amazing piece of ground, has massive proportions, amazing grounds. His son Charles designed the building and it is really well thought out, well organised and has great exhibit space. The center has a perpetual endowment and honestly it is great to see a really talented artist make real money during their lifetime.
This 100% is a must see if you are in South Dakota. No question about it.
Unfortunately, I worked at the hotel on office stuff and the underlying gears behind this blog until 11:30 am. Then I spent 2 hours at the Redlin Art Center and finally got on the road at 2:00 pm and only made 250 miles during the entire day.
Here is the path so far:
