Day 3 - The Black Hills
Woke up early, my body apparently is still on Central Time. I needed an easier, lower-milage day so I took my time getting ready and headed out at about 7:45. The temp was 60 degrees--just right for riding in jeans and a jacket, very comfortable riding in cool morning air in such beautiful surroundings. Topped-off my gas tank first thing because you never know how far the next fill-up will be.
I soon realized I was wise to fill-up, because I was in the boondocks!
The roads were curvy and the smell of pine trees was in the air.
Passed several blue, mountain lakes. Good riding for sure!
After an hour I got onto highway 16 that goes past Mount Rushmore.
I have not rode a highway that is any more challenging than this one. The road is old, narrow, twisty, hilly (countless 15mph curves), and with lots of
tunnels!! I love tunnels! These are different because there were about 6 that were one-lane only, added excitement for no extra charge (except the $10 park fee, the 2nd I've paid so far). The tunnel above is significant in that if you look through it you can see Mount Rushmore in the distance.
Custer state park was next, where I saw these elk. It was so peaceful riding through, enjoying the rolling hills, green pastures, wildlife, and fresh air.
This is another picture from within the park, on what they call the wildlife observation loop.
It reminded me of Jurassic Park in that there were these long jeeps hauling tourists around for a driving tour, but just regular animals instead of dinosaurs.
I was behind one of those jeeps when I got stuck in this bison traffic jam. There was a herd of at least 400 crossing the road. I had to ride right past a cow and her nursing calve in the exact middle of the road. I always feel so vulnerable next to those 2000 pound bison--my motorcycle only weights 800 pounds, and I can be tipped easily.
This a picture of a prairie dog. There was a whole bunch of them. Cute little buggers!
I also saw deer and wild horses. Wild horses seem so special.
Next I rode through a section of the Black Hills knows as The Needles. Notice the tall spires of rock formations. More tunnels and tight, twisty, hilly roads. I'm telling you what, I only rode 166 miles today, but they were much more physically taxing than the almost 1000 miles I rode the two days previous. My shoulders hurt, my neck, my hands, and my legs. I need a restufull day tomorrow, so I'm planning Spearfish Canyon, a gold mine tour, and visiting Sturgis. Maybe I'll get a tattoo while I'm there?
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