Thoughts on Sturgis 2013

It's been almost a month since the Sturgis Rally.  It wasn't the best Sturgis trip I've had to date but it had it's fun moments.  One thing I learned on this trip is trust your gut because it is pretty spot on most of the time.  I'm not going to go into any detail about that comment but l will say, if you think someone you are going on a trip with may not play well with others, go with your gut!  Looking back now I should have realized that following the truckload of kybos through the scenic view in Chamberlain was a sign of things to come. 

I had a couple emotional moments on the trip since this was the first time I road my own to Sturgis.  The first is when we crossed into South Dakota.  I felt a huge sense of accomplishment and pride in myself for arriving there.  The next emotional moment was when I exited into Sturgis and made my journey to Lazalle Street so I could turn right and head on out to the Buffalo Chip.  I had to fight back tears a couple times.   Riding your motorcycle down Main Street is a seriously cool feeling.  I got Goosebumps!

I forgot how loud the Buffalo Chip was and while it was awesome to be there for all of the concerts I believe that the next trip I make will not include a stay at the Chip.  Next time I'd actually like to stay in Sturgis.  Maybe in someone's yard.  I didn't mind tent camping at all but with all the noise at the Chip, a good nights sleep was not possible.  The best concert, hands down, was Halestorm.  Rob Zombie was also amazing but I felt like he could have played much longer.  I finally have a musical respect for ZZ Top.  Billy Gibbons is seriously cool and I bet it would be fun hanging with him and listening to his countless stories.  Old Guys Rule.  Speaking of Old Guys...met this gnarly ODB named Woody and his son Cory before Halestorm.  They were from Davenport, Ia.  Imagine that, we have to go to South Dakota to meet other Iowans.  We hung out with them during the evenings for the length of their stay at the Chip.  I spent about a hour one afternoon talking to Woody and it was one of the best moments of the trip.  I love listening to people talk about their experiences in life.  I truly hope that I run into Woody and Cory again on the road.  It sucks because I didn't get their last name.  Boo! 

Dan's friend Jeff and his woman Meredith were the only non bikers on the trip.  They drove the truck and camper out to the Buffalo Chip for the other folks that were with our group.  It still cracks me up that they were the only people on the trip to get INK.  And the rest of us call ourselves bikers.  HA!  Jeff and Meredith were really fun to hang with and it was cool that we got to use the truck a few days so that we could hang with both of them. 

Sturgis has changed since the last time I was there.  The Broken Spoke Saloon is no longer downtown.  It is now Easyrider Saloon.  Loved the new building they built and the multi levels of outdoor decks was awesome.  Great people watching.  I did notice this trip that there wasn't as much nudity as usual, especially at the Chip.  Maybe it's because it was colder at night.  I think the guys were very disappointed.  Has Gunner's always been on Lazalle?  For some reason I thought it used to be on Main Street??

It's probably weird but I didn't do any riding while I was there.  It was just an accomplishment for me that I got there.  I spent most of my time hanging out at the Chip or going places in the truck so we could hang with Jeff and Meredith and drink.  Yes drink...I needed many cocktails on this trip!  My next Sturgis trip will be so much different.  I look forward to another journey to the motorcycle mecca.  Maybe 2015.  That trip will include more time downtown Sturgis and actually doing some riding in the great state of South Dakota. 

As I waved good bye to the Chip and road through Sturgis to the interstate, I felt sad.  I always feel sad leaving Sturgis.  I love the rally and the people that travel from all over to enjoy the same thing that I enjoy.  On the journey home I reflected a lot on my life and how lucky I am to have been able to take this trip.  How strong I really am as a woman to ride my own motorcycle.  And how much I am thankful for the freedom that I have to ride freely in our great land. 

I love you Sturgis, South Dakota! 

Sturgis - I Truly Love that Rally!

Well, it's just around the corner and many of you will be heading out soon to the best rally in the United States! To all of you that are rolling to South Dakota in a few days...Ride Safe, Ride Free, and ENJOY!

The Road Back to Johnston

Friday morning we loaded up the bike and checked out of the luxurious Motel 6. I was ready to leave but yet I wasn't. I knew in the weeks to follow I would end up going through Sturgis withdrawal and it wouldn't be fun. We saddled up on ZP and made our way to I-29. East Bound and Down...yes down that I was leaving Sturgis. Dan was determined to make it home on Friday. We rode and rode and stopped and rode some more. We ended up just outside Sioux City, IA in a little town called Sloan and decided we just couldn't take it anymore. We were tired from the South Dakota wind, sunburned, and our asses were sore so we decided to stay at a nice little motel in Sloan called the Winnivegas Motel.(there is a casino down the road at an Indian Reservation called Winnivegas) I'm glad we stopped. The good nights sleep did us good and we were able to make it home in pretty good time on Saturday. It was good to be home...to be able to sleep in a familiar bed but I still had that pang of sadness that another Sturgis was behind me. I'm still having withdrawal even as I post this. Below are some final pictures of the trip. They are all from the Friday that we left.

Dreaming of Sturgis 70!

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!

From the Eyes of a Passenger...

Being a passenger on a motorcycle has brought incredible joy and satisfaction to my life. If you ask anyone that knows me they will tell you I'm motorcycle obsessed. Guess what?? I'm proud of it!

The motorcycle experience began for me in high school. My girlfriends and I would ask guys for motorcycle rides. I remember my first ride was on a sport bike and I could have cared less that it was raining. Then there was senior prom. My date owned a Kawasaki and we took it cruising in our prom wear. We must have looked like two crazy kids.

I took a hiatus from the motorcycle life during my twenties and early thirties but that freedom and joy that I felt from riding stuck with me all those years. One day out of the blue I talked my husband into renting a Harley. We had it for the weekend and the feelings of complete freedom came rushing back. The next step was purchasing our own bike. I'll never forget the thrill of ringing that freedom bell and knowing wonderful adventures were ahead of us.


Riding for me is a passion. It is always an adventure. Being on two wheels with nothing around you to protect you. Rubbing shoulders with the elements is the greatest rush I've ever felt. I've experienced things I will never experience in a car. I am sheltered in a car even if I roll down all of the windows. I will never experience what is going on outside in the same way as I do on a motorcycle. I am in the thick of it, feeling everything going on around me. Smelling every smell, seeing all the sights, and hearing every noise out there. It is a spiritual experience.

I've had two of the most amazing experiences of my life as a passenger. Both in South Dakota during trips to Sturgis Bike Week. The first was in 2004. Kristen, Big Don, Marsha and me were on our way to Winner, South Dakota for the night. It was dusk and a storm was brewing ahead of us. It began to rain and the wind picked up. South Dakota can be windy. I was watching the sky and I couldn't believe what mother nature was sharing with me. On one side was a beautiful rainbow, straight ahead were wicked bolts of lightening, and on the other side was the most beautiful pink sky I've ever seen. I was right out there in the middle of it. To this day that memory still gives me chill bumps.

Another memorable experience happened on our way to Sturgis this year. We left Mitchell, South Dakota in a misty rain. We were motoring along and could see this dangerous looking cloud ahead of us. The closer we road toward it the larger it became and before we knew what was happening we were riding through this wall cloud. Living in Iowa, I honestly have to say, I have never seen anything like it. I held onto Dan tighter then I ever have before because I felt at times like we might blow over or I might blow off the back. It was such a rush. I kept thinking to myself how incredibly fortunate I was to experience that. That is the point of two wheels, it's all about having the amazing adventures.

I've logged many miles as a passenger and with every ride is a new memory made. Some of the best have been early morning rides out in the country. No traffic, just my husband Dan and me on our beautiful iron horse moving across the countryside. No words being said between us, just quiet time. Time to let all the stresses leave our heads and all the freedom of the open road. Miles of farmland surrounding us. Another beautiful time to ride are those last winter days when we can't take it anymore and the roads seem OK. We bundle up and ride out with snow still on the ground and the non riders of the world starring at us like we are nuts. I know they are correct, I am nuts about the feeling that is forever in my soul.



Being part of the motorcycle lifestyle has made my life richer with the experiences I've been fortunate enough to have and because of the many people I've met along the way.

There is a saying, "If I have to explain you just won't understand." Mere words can't explain the feeling. It is like describing the color blue to a sightless person, until it has been experienced it is virtually impossible to describe.

In March of 2006 I got my motorcycle license. I have yet to own my own scoot but I know someday it will happen. Until then I look forward to many more adventures with Dan on our beautiful Street Glide.


Happy riding! And to those of us that have to wait until the spring, Happy Riding Memories!

IHG XO

Day 2...Making Our Way to Rapid City

I was up early on Sunday morning ready to get back on the road so that we could get to Rapid City and do a few things around town. We had our coffee, headed over and fueled up at a gas station down the street and got on our way down I -90. The weather was chilly and it was sprinkling but not enough to justify rain gear. As we worked our way west the sky started looking wicked and there was the most insane looking Wall Cloud in front of us. The closer we got the more the wind picked up and the darker it became. Before we knew what was happening we were riding through the cloud. I can't even imagine how many mph the wind gusts were. There were moments when I thought that the bike was going to blow over but Dan kept her straight and steady and on the road. Thank God! I of course didn't get a photo of it so I found something similar on the Internet so you could see what it looks like.After making it through the Wall Cloud it began to rain so we pulled off the road and put on our gear. Other people were pulling over too and commenting on how wild the whole Wall Cloud experience was.

Back on the road we made a couple more stops for fuel and to relieve our aching butts a little. We both agreed that we probably won't be able to do the Iron Butt ride any time soon.

The closer you get to Rapid City the more beautiful the landscape becomes and em no...I have no photos of it...why? Who knows. But let me tell you it was beautiful. There was one moment that took my breathe away and Dan told me when we got to Wall that there was a moment when he got a little disoriented because of the beauty of what was in front of him. You come up over this hill and before you is the beginning of the Badlands and a beautiful river. It was a breathtaking view. I remember thinking to myself...is this Heaven? No it's South Dakota!

I'm sure everyone has heard of Wall Drug and if you have not there is something wrong with you. All along the interstate are billboards enticing you to stop at Wall Drug. The ones that make me smile are Free Ice Cold Water at Wall Drug and 5 Cent Coffee at Wall Drug. And you know what...both signs are still true even today! Well we of course stopped in Wall and found Wall Drug. It was fun and there were so many bikes and bikers there. It's really funny to observe the common folk who forgot to do a little research and didn't find out that the week they were going on their Badlands/Black Hills Family vacation was the same week as the Sturgis Rally. We had lunch in the Wall Cafe and enjoyed our free ice cold water and 5 cent coffee. We ventured through the rest of Wall Drug and hit some of the other shops. It's a fun place and I'm glad we stopped. I hadn't been there since I was a kid.

Back on the road, finally headed to Rapid City. In no time we are there...we found our hotel with ease...checked in...got unloaded and headed on over to Black Hills Harley Davidson. And once again...no camera. DUH! It's a huge dealership and they give you your first taste of rally fun. They had vendors everywhere...Drag Specialties, Vance and Hines, Kuryakyn, and Dunlap Tire Corp to name a few. We both spun the wheel at the Bud Booth and got a fun prize. I got Bud Beads(and I didn't even have to show anything) and Dan got a cap. We were there about a hour and decided to go down to the Convention Center to the Harley Davidson show. We got our HOG pins at the HOG Hospitality suite and looked around the show. There were some damn beautiful 2009 Harleys there.

We went back and forth on if we wanted to head into Sturgis and decided that we would save it for Monday. We were both seriously pooped and hungry so we rode around Rapid City...found some dinner and then headed back to the hotel for some much needed sleep.

Here are a few pictures that Dan took at Wall Drug on Day 2.

Back to the Real World

We are back in Johnston this Saturday morning. Can't believe just a week ago we were traveling down the highway heading toward the motorcycle mecca called Sturgis. I have so much to blog that I don't know where to start. Hope everyone enjoyed the pictures that I blogged on the way. I have more that we actually took with the camera and I'll post those soon. We had a great trip. When we left Sturgis Wednesday night, I had tears in my eyes just like I did when I left back in 2004. I love it there. I'll post more soon. Both Dan and I are beat. That South Dakota wind really takes it outta ya when you are going 80 miles a hour. I think that is one of the things that Dan loved most about the trip. He was able to just ride...no stop lights, just wide open spaces! More to come! :)

Holy Moly...One week to go!

I have to tell you...I'm freaking excited about leaving next Saturday for Sturgis! I went in 2004 and I was excited then but I think this year I'm even more excited because I've been there once, know what to expect and can totally enjoy every minute of the experience this time. When I went in 2004 it was literally the first rally I'd ever been too...yes, I start bigger then big! LOL The first night at the Buffalo Chip campground was one loud sleepless night and the motorcycle loving Harley Girl was wondering what the hell she'd gotten herself into. Trust me...if you are into extreme wildness stay at the Chip. And if you think you've seen it all...I'm sure you'll see something brand new there.

I'm going to try to blog from my phone on the trip but the only way it will work is if there is a signal outta Sturgis so cross your fingers!!! If you don't hear from me...don't worry...I'll take pictures and post them when I return! I seriously wish all my blogger buds were going to be out there too!