I have had the most wonderful time traveling across South Dakota. It is beautiful. All htese years I have been under the impression that South Dakota would be flat as a pancake and boring. Not so much. The rolling hills have kept the ride interesting and the downs are always a bonus. Ther prairie is still green and filled with colors.
I left Keystone with my wonderful tour guide and host Bill on Tuesday the 12th. Bill was grand and took me on a ride through the Badlands, an awesome sight. If I remember correctly caused by volcanic actvity over the many many years and now is exposed through wanter and wind erosion. Having Bill give me a tour of the Badlands was a two-fold bonus. I got to see them and I got to cut off some fairly desolate areas of Western South Dakota. There are not many roads around that oart if tge state, and even fewer towns. Bill dropped me off at Wall and I found a wonderful campground two blocks away.
By the way, Wall Drug, if you have ever seen the signs is located at Wall, DS. I don't know when they lost the Drug part of the store, it is pretty much touristy stuff, heck, it is pretty much the whole darn town.
The next day I tok off and had a tail breeze that helped me get miles in early. First town, no cafe - breakfast now moved to lunch. Picked up a breakfast burrito and was on my way. So after 50 some miles I stopped in Midland for some much needed lunch. The road was beautiful the whole way. The views terrific. You can just try to imagine what it must have been like to settle in this territory. Good weather and ok, bad weather, dust bowl times uck. As I was going into the cafe, five guys were coming out. They stopped to ask all the usual questions and commented they would see me later as they were working in the direction I was heading.
Had lunch, asked the locals questions about roads, towns, or lack of towns, charged all the electrical things up, and headed out. A beautiful tail wind was on my side and I was looking forward to it. A slight cloud cover kept the temperature reasonable. Life is good. The winter wheat harvest just started so enjoyed watching all the combines too. Then it happened. As it does in South Dakota, the wind takes a big sigh and changes, 180 degrees. With 13 milesto go I now had a strong head wind, the cloud cover was gone and I am sucking down water! But I am having fun right? Hey I know I could stop at tny farm and get water, it's not like I am ever going to fall over due to dehydrations, right? Made 10 miles and the highway (SD14) turned east. Three miles to go to get to the c-store/town of Hayes. As I started coasting down a hill this dude came out and motioned me over to the side of the road, how dare they take away my downhill. What the... oh it's the guys from the cafe in Midland!
How wonderful! They threw a COLD LOVELY beer at me and explained what they had been doing all day. Three of the guys were brothers. Their dad painted many of the Wall Drug billboards that were put up origianally. This particular sign had been falling over and needed repair. So, they got together and righted it. They had been hanging out in the shade of thesign waiting for me. Figuring the time I must be coming along soon. After muck talking it was decided that they wouldtake me to Pierre to a "great campground right on the river." Not one to turn a favor down - OK. Tied the bike on to the Bobcat, threw the BOB in the back of the truck and off we went. Got to Dave's house (one brother), met the wives, was offered a shower. When I got out of the shower there was a place set for dinner and it had been decided that I would spend the night there - plenty of room in the basement. Sometimes I feel like a lost little puppy everyone keeps taking in - I;ll go with it as long as it works. Had a wonderful evening. Great company, beautiful views, a shower. Not sure if life gets any better.
The real kicker on this story. While eating dinner, Janet (wife of Dave) mentioned that she had recently met someone else from Seattle who had been riding. She pondered. Suddenly she remembered. She had picked up a hitchhiker last year, right about this time and he was heading to Iowa too. Oh my, It was my friend Jim who I met last year at RAGBRAI and he loaned me his BOB for this trip.
The next morning Dave and Frank (brother) took me to town for breakfast. Who should we sit down to eat with but the guy I was asking road questions from in Midland during lunch the day before. Of course they all know each other. Spent the day playin tourist in Pierre. Had a lovely nap in the Senate lobby. Where else could you lounge on the couch in a state capitol and take an hour nap? Didn't want to go outside due to biting flies! ow!!
The next day started early sun comes up at 6:00 (time change) and I was on the road. With a head/side wind it took me until 1:30 to make it to the next c-store/town. Temperature 105. I ducked, no dove, inside. Eventually caught a lift for the next 12 miles from some guys on their way home from combining. They just threw everything on top of their luggane, including me. Insane to ride in that heat and an absolute head wind for 12 miles. Ahh but life does get better. The next day, I didn't want to stop. A great tail wind, 20 degrees cooler and I flew. 101 miles. It is a bit scary to think about stopping. The wind is a bit fickle and can flip around at any time, take advantage wile yuo have it. The terrain is still roling hills and beautiful.
I do wonder about raccoons though. I discussed earlier how road kill changes from one area to another. There are so many racoons on the road. Dead, squished, splattered etc. Now does that mean that racoons are really stupid at choosing when to cross the road? or do they cross in such numbers that the percentage is actually low? I mean if turtles can make it why would a racoon ever have trouble?
I did find 40 miles of FLAT but with a tail wind - ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Yesterday worked my way to Sioux Falls. A beautiful ride until I hit road construction, chip sealing. I should have hitched a ride through it but didn't. Still picking off little pebbles with enough tar to stick to anything. Last night stayed in a hotel $58.00 the clerk gave it to me for $30. Said I deserved a break if I rode my bike all that way. What a great guy. I left a big tip behind for him. Gotta keep good karma going.
100 miles or less to LeMars, Iowa - the starting town for RAGBRAI. I have until Friday to get there. So hovering and finding things to see and doo. A heat wave is coming AYippee.l