Sunday, August 09, 2009

The Road to Rapid City and Sturgis


Monday morning I was up with the chickens. The anxious feelings I was having had gotten the best of me and I think I was showered and dressed by 5:30 am. I went down to the hotel lobby and checked my e-mail and other internet things, waiting for Dan to get up and around. When Dan was ready to go we went to the hotel restaurant and ate our complimentary breakfasts. It was funny because on the menu it was titled the "Senior Breakfast". That cracked me up and I said to Dan that we were honorary "Seniors" for the morning. After breakfast we loaded up the bike, talked to a really cool biker from Ohio, and finally took off for Mecca!


First stop along the way was 1880 Town. We didn't pay to go through the museum but I did take some pictures of the bikers that were stopped there for gas and a little bit of rest.






There was a lot of construction this year on Interstate 90. I do have to give South Dakota a huge compliment though...they have really great roads. I don't think we experienced a bad one the entire trip. The next stop on the journey to RC/Sturgis was none other then Wall Drug. We ate lunch, picked up our free Wall Drug bumper sticker, and then went on a little exploration of the area we didn't get to last year. We forgot to see Wall Drug's Backyard.





We made it to Rapid City and checked into the luxurious Motel 6 for our 4 day stay. This year our room was cleaner so I didn't worry about bed bugs near as much. lol I convinced Dan to ride into Sturgis for a little while to check things out. I couldn't just sit in Rapid City knowing what was only 25 miles away. Thank God he agreed or I would have had to ask for a ride from another biker. As we decended onto Sturgis I was ready to sit in line to get into town for about a 1/2 hour. Nope...zip...zing...right into town. Found a parking place and made our way to Main Street. Our first stop was the Sturgis Webcam where I called my folks and waved at them. They kept telling me that it was really good to see us on the cam. After that we walked up and down Main Street and took a few pictures.








Going east on Main Street I noticed a black building. I was all excited when I realized that it was a mock club house from the Son's of Anarchy. I'm so excited for season 2 to begin in September. Should be a great one!





Dan and I were both very beat so we headed back to Rapid City. Went to Walmart and got some food for the cooler. Went back to the motel and relaxed with a couple beers and Dan smoked a cigar. It felt so good to be there again. We watched the bikers riding west to Sturgis. I felt at ease again. My anxious feelings had finally left me. I was finally there...finally in the place that makes my heart sing. Finally home with my fellow brothers and sisters that understand my wild heart and obsession for riding! Home Sweet South Dakota!

8 comments:

Dean "D-Day" said...

Great post Steph!
Wish I could've been there.
Can't wait to hear about the rest.

mq01 said...

i can only imagine...i was thinking of you in sturgis. great post Stephanie!! oh and i SOOOO see the vine tattoo style ive been looking for in the pics!!! woohoo!!! next year.....

Canajun said...

Good post. Last year we stayed at the motel just off Exit 58 (Next door to the Motel 6, if I recall) and would often spend the evening sitting outside with a few beers and cigars, talking to others and watching and listening to all the bikes on I-90 heading into Sturgis.
Your post brought back great memories. Thanks.

Mr. Motorcycle said...

Great pics! Felt like I was there.

Ann said...

What a great post! I'm a little disappointed that you weren't sitting on that huge Jackalope for a pic!!! :)

Lady R (Di) said...

Nice post! You sure are setting the stage for us... I feel like I'm walking up and down Main street with ya... gawkin! LOL!

One of these days... we'll be able stroll together and compare notes on all the hotties we see!

Looking forward to the rest! :)

Anonymous said...

What great photos and I am so glad you had a fun time in South Dakota during the rally! I was actually out there last week a couple of days too -- spent most of my time in Belle Fourche. It was great to see all the people and hear the roaring of all the bikes! Hopefully you didnt get rained on too much! You will have to come back next year for the 70th Anniversary -- I am sure it will be another huge party!

Emily
South Dakota Office of Tourism
www.TravelSD.com

IHG said...

Wish you all would have been there!

Ann...I should have gotten on the Jackalope...Dan kept telling me to get up there but I was having one of those chicken moments. lol He kept saying...what the heck...you are always all about that kinda stuff Stephanie! Oh well...missed opportunity. :)~