After coming back from Florida in may I was afflicted by two health issues that set me back on my ability to maintain everyday activities and therefor keep up with my Blog. The first issue was a case of Coral poisoning to my hands, that took about two weeks to resolve, then came the injury to my foot that took about four to five weeks before I was able to put on a regular shoe. Regardless, I have had some amazing experiences since then and I am here to share them with you.
On August first, as previously planned, two of my riding buddies and me set out on a motorcycle trip that would carry us to the famous Sturgis Motorcycle rally in South Dakota as well as destinations beyond. We left New Jersey on the first of August with the intent of dodging forecast rain for the next day. Well, as they say, "the best laid plans", we avoided rain in NJ for the start but soon ran into rain in Pa. Every day, no matter the State we were passing through, always participated in the Baptism of three bikers traveling through, on the way to Sturgis. Nothing ever sever enough to stop us or to deter us from our intended goal, just enough to test us. That being said, we arrived in the Black Hill on Aug. fourth, our cabin reservation, however, was not valid until the fifth; we had to stall. Finding refuge in a Best Western in Hill City, where we waited until we could access our reserved cabin. Pictures do not do the Black Hills justice, the Badlands, Black Hills and the surrounding states are magnificent. Here are a few of the Pictures that were taken to represent just a small portion of our experience.
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| Hulett main Street, Ham'n Jam |
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| Scottie on main street Hulett |
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| One of many Rainbows as seen from our cabin |
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| Back yard fire pit |
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| Drive way to cabin |
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| Cabin in Hill City |
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| My bike, ready to go to town |
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| Backyard and hot tub |
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| Week of relaxation and great rides |
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| Cabin and six acres of total bliss |
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| Biker and his dogs |
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| Expert police team on Victory's |
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| End of the day |
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| 1880 Train hooking up for the ride home |
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| Downtown Hill City |
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| Bikers only, cars are are re-directed for safety |
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| 1880 train from Hill City to Keystone, across the mountains |
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| Keystone |
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| Keystone looking North |
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| Train view, going through the mountain pass |
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| Cross placed by a church group |
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| Deer heading through the woods. Can you see it? |
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| Open cars, good in good weather bad in rain. |
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| Secluded home in the mountains between Hill City and Keystone |
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| Needles Highway |
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| Crazy Horse Monument |
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| Face is finished, twenty years work left to finish the horses head |
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| Three biker buddies, Scott, Joe and me |
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| Stopping by Lake |
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| Following the train |
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| 1880 Train chugging up the hill |
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| Around the bend |
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| Remote farm house in the mountains |
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| Lee, or conductor |
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| Original train used by this private line |
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| Three bikes heading out to Sturgis, taking a break at the Platte Winner Bridge over the Missouri River |
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| Joe and Scott |
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| Joe and me |
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| Scottie and me at the Missouri river in Platte, SD. |
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| Missouri River recreation area |
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| Looking South |
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| Yucca plants |
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| Pods |
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| Looking East |
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| Scottie checking his bike |
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| Joe's Ultra Classic |
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| North Star, watering hole |
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| Saloon at the crossroads |
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| Scott and Joe having some refreshment |
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| Panorama of the Platte Rver on the Missouri |
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| Panorama of the Missouri recreation area at Platte Winner |
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| Our rides, taking a rest |
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| Joe at the motel in Denison, Ia. |
