"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on." ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

Saturday, July 7, 2012 (Day 31)

Mitchell Lake Campground, Mitchell, SD

Miles:  32  MPH:  11  Max:  19  Total:  1784

Spectacular sun rise over the Missouri river!  The day began beautifully but .........

UGH! UGH! UGH!  Seemed like a wasted day!  Jack had a lot of trouble pulling the trailer with the mismatched tire.  The trailer was pulling to one side and pulling on his bike.  Spent a lot of time trying to come up with a solution.  He tried to get a ride to look for a new tire but no luck.  Eventually, we both took a ride to Mitchell.  We heard there was a Walmart, but they only had the same tire we had already bought -- the right diameter but wider and much more tread.  Found a bike shop but no luck there and made the final decision to try and ship the entire trailer and tent and sleeping mats home!!  Now, we tried Walmart again and asked if they could help us get a box and then UPS the trailer for us.  NO!  So not willing to give up, we tried Cabela's (haha!  Mitchell, SD has a huge Cabela's!)  But again turned down!!  By now we found a UPS shipping store.  UGH!  The cost - $180 to ship our trailer home!  It would have been better to throw it into the Missouri River last night!!  Both John and Jack were mad that after all this running around, I would not spend the $180! 

Did get to see the Mitchell Corn Palace!!  Camping on the Lake Mitchell  just north of town.   Campground is lively and full of friendly families.

Murals made from corn husks -- pretty Corny!!!

Lake Mitchell Campground

"For some, star count will always be more important than thread count."

Friday, July 6, 2012 (Day 30)

Cedar Shore Resort, Chamberlain, SD (on the Missouri River)

Miles:  74  MPH:  12 Max:  34  Total:  1752

Camping on the Missouri River tonight - spectacular view!  We are about 1/2 way home!!

Wondering if we will ever have a boring day on the road!  Wow!  Today went on forever!  The day began peacefully.  Our ride was on Rt 16 or SD 248 or Country Road or Service Road or the Old Hwy.....we were never sure what it was called.  It didn't matter. There were no road signs, but it was the only road!  At one point I checked my compass, yep we were headed East so that was all that mattered.  Riding several hours and only a few cars passed.  The wide open plains were beautiful and tranquil.  This is the land where "Dances with Wolves" was filmed!

All of a sudden -- BANG!  I thought, "I sure hope someone is shooting at us and that noise is not one of our tires :-)"  The trailer tire blew out!  Jack started to change the flat but realized that our hand pump had the valve for our bike tires but not the right valve for the trailer!  We had passed a town (ha!  town is stretching it!) about 5 miles back. 

Bang!!

Again amazingly, a rescuer!  A kind man and his Mom drove Jack and the tire back to town while I stayed with our bikes.  Our spare tube then blew out, so they checked around and found another spare tube at a farm supply store.  Creatively, Jack duck taped the tire since it was shredded.  (Just love Duck tape - we are on our second role -- we use it to mend our rain covers for our bike bags, fix our tent, repair our sandals, repair our sun glasses, make place mats when the picnic tables are really dirty and now line the inside of a shredded tire!!)

First Rescue of the Day!

The Duck taped tire lasted about 40 miles and blew again!  We could see the Missouri River!!  Double amazing, the Chief of Police stopped to help.  He took us to a hardware store.  We bought a new tire only it's not exactly the right size!!  Hoping we will get to Mitchell tomorrow with a lop-sided trailer!!!

Jack took a fall traveling down to the Marina to get air for all our tires!  Does he think a broken arm will excuse him from finishing the trip?  He is a bit bruised but fine.  We celebrated our 1/2 way with a great dinner!

Our campsite is gorgeous!  Windy and much cooler tonight! 

On the Missouri River

Trying to come up with a plan to send the trailer back home.  It would mean also sending our tent home.  We have loved camping but would look forward to riding without the trailer!!! We continue to be amazed by the kindness and helpfulness of strangers!!

OMG!  WE MISS HOME!

Pins collected to far!!

"I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station throgh which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in." ~ George Washington Carver

Thursday, July 5, 2012 (Day 29)

American Inn and Campground, Murdo, SD

Miles:  51  MPH:  9  Max:  21  Total:  1678

We felt miniature, like we were riding through giant sand castles as we pedaled through the Bad Lands National Park - just spectacular views.  Stopping to take a photo, a deer came right up to my bicycle!

Saw families of adorable prairie dogs.  Thousands of grasshoppers filled the road and fluttered all over us -- yuck!!!

Huge Sand Castles!

Riding through a landscape of desert sand castles -- gorgeous!

Amazing Bad Lands!

Making our way East, the landscape began to turn green.  Saw some fields of corn that reminded us of home :-)  Rt 16 was a great road to travel.  We made a mistake in getting on the Interstate as we thought 16 ended.  Road construction made for some hazardous travels.  At a rest stop, we bummed a ride to take us past the construction.  A friendly Missouri man gave us a lift.  He's a musician - in a Christian Rock Band.  Gave us his CD (can't wait to hear it!) 

Found a cute cabin to call home for the night in Murdo, SD.  Moved from Mountain time to Central time so we lost an hour!   The wind ripped our bike bag rain covers so we have repairs to make, laundry, and some grocery shopping -- busy evening!! 

Our home for the night!

They love "bikers" in South Dakota!

♪♪♪"Oh Beautiful for Spacious Skies" ♪♪♪ ~ Katharine Lee Bates

Tuesday, July 4, 2012 (Day 28)
KOA Campground, Interior, SD
Miles:  81  MPH:  14.5  Max:  46  Total:  1627

Happy 4th of July!!

Stopped at the Rapid City KOA for a pancake breakfast before pedaling to the Badlands for a 4th a July Celebration.  The entire town took part in the parade -- all 63 folks who live there!  The only spectators were us tourists!

Stopped for an "All you can eat" Pancake breakfast!

At the Badlands---It looks like another planet or what Earth looked like when the dinosaurs lived!!!!  Great ride except for the "evil" wind -- it's a killer!!  Rodeo and Fireworks tonight in the town of Interior, SD (population 63)!  Can't wait!!!

"Never Forget Your Dreams." Korczak Ziolkowski, Crazy Horse Sculpturer

Tuesday, July 3, 2012 (Day 27)
Pat, Bob, and Tom's Home, Rapid City, SD
Miles:  47  MPH:  12  Max:  38  Total:  1546

Wow!!  A spectacular day!  An early start got us to the Crazy Horse memorial before most were out of bed.  As we biked the hill to the sculpture, I asked Jack if he had any idea who Crazy Horse was?  haha!  Why were we climbing this hill!  At the entrance gate, we were told admission was 1/2 price for making it up the hill!!  After sitting through the orientation film, we were in awe of the tremendous task that this sculpture represents.  Although I'm not big on museums, this one was pristine and huge pride was displayed by all working there.  We loved it.

I could sleep in here!

Crazy Horse Mountain Sculpture

On the way to Mount Rushmore - spectacular!

We then set off on Hwy 244 to Mt. Rushmore.  The ride was spectacular through the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota!  I'm not sure why they call these the "Black Hills" -- they should be called MOUNTAINS!!  We had some of our steepest climbs and downhills of our trip -- signs indicated 10% grades!! The hills are covered with thick pine and spruce tree giving a dark appearance.  Huge rock formations filled the roadside -- just awesome! Approaching Mt. Rushmore, there were huge traffic back-up as cars waited to pay the entrance fee.  A young girl in a golf cart rolled over to us and said, "Bikes are free and don't need to wait in line!" We got to go ahead of all the cars!!!  Had coffee with President's Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln--could hardly believe we were here!  This sculpture in the mountain -- what a spectacular achievement!

We biked here!

Wow!!

With our new friend, Tom at Dinosaur Park, Rapid City!

New Friends!

The smoke from the wild fires continue to make for amazing night skies!

Onto Rapid City.....A huge town -- for the West!!  We found a Safeway Supermarket and stocked up on groceries.  While in line to check out, a young, very cute boy (about 20 years old) came to talk to us about our trip.  He also had toured on his bicycle.  He invited us to take a shower, do laundry, crash, and  get a cold drink at his home.  I asked Jack if we were still sleeping and if this was a dream? We followed him home, and his Mom made us a feast!! We ate salmon, rice, corn on the cob, green beans and fruit for desert with new friends Tom, Pat, and Bob!! Tom took us to a bike shop to get some adjustments done on our bikes and gave us the grand tour of Rapid City.  We had a great night's sleep in our new friend's living room!!  We LOVE South Dakota!!

"Just Do It!" ~ Nike

Monday, July 2, 2012  (Day 26)
Custer and Crazy Horse Cabins and Campground, Custer, South Dakota
Miles:  53 MPH:  9  Max:  41  Total:  1499

Wow!  Another tough bike day!  Hope I'm not falling apart!!

Wandering around Edgemont this morning, looking for the bicycle trail head, a large pick-up truck with a cowboy pulls up and says, "Hey, were you suppose to stay with me last night?"  It was the owner of the Sunrise Ranch that was evacuated.  I just love small towns - especially ones with cowboys :-)  His home and lodge were safe, but he lost most of his grass land.

Park at the Edgemont Michelson Bike Trail Head

We got onto the Michelson Bicycle trail and headed for Custer but were told to turn around -- the trail was closed due to a wild fire!  After backtracking, we rode the highway.  The hills were steep (signs indicated grades of 6% and 7%) and the temperature near 100!  Once north of the fire, we again got onto the trail.  It was very rough and made the going very very slow.  Riding only 51 miles, this was by far our slowest day.

Bike Trail

Michelson Bike Trail!

In Custer, SD our first stop -- the ice cream shop......I love that Huckleberry Ice Cream.  We couldn't find our campground and just settled for the one we're at.  A great dinner and another desert with a very sweet waitress had us feeling much better!

Hoping to pedal to the Crazy Horse Monument and then onto Mount Rushmore tomorrow!  After that, we are headed for the Badland's National Park.

Night Sky

xoxo

"What the catepillar calls the end of the world, the master calls the butterfly." Richard Bach

Sunday, July 1, 2012  (Day 25)
Cowboy Inn, Edgemont, SD
Miles:  59  MPH:  12  Max:  25  Total:  1446

We're rejuvenated by the new day, new month, new state, and morning coffee!! Now sure why the meltdown yesterday! I think we are both a bit home sick!

Welcome to South Dakota

Western South Dakota Beauty

The wind and the temperature made it a rough go today.  Temps are over 100 with NO shade!  Most of the day we had a cross wind and then we turned directly into the wind.  It was worse then the mountain passes! I had to stand to turn the bike pedals and finally had to walk some.  Tonight will be another "happy pill" evening!

Huge rock formations filled the day's scenery

Smoke from Edgemont Wild Fire

We were to celebrate the new month and state by staying at the Sunrise Ranch - a true working cattle ranch.  I was so excited to become a junior rancher!!!  But the ranch was evacuated because of the wild fires.  We were sooooo disappointed, but  felt so sorry for the folks on the ranch and others who were in danger.  Staying in down town Edgemont (town of 700 so down town consists of a gas station/convenience store/pub/casino--all in one!!). We are not in any fire danger, but the town is buzzing with fire fighting.  All types of forestry vehicles and fire trucks zoomed in and out.  Helicopters with buckets flew above.  Smoke filled the horizon.  At one point sirens sounded and alerted folks that the highway would be closed so either you were staying in Edgemont or leaving NOW!

Our first night in South Dakota, and we love the state.  Folks are just plain nice and caring!  A fast thunder storm came through and produced a huge double rainbow!  Our treat for a tough day on the bike!!

Rainbow!

We hope we can get to Custer tomorrow and then onto see Mount Rushmore!

Wild Fires Have Made Amazing Sun Sets 

 Missing Home!! xoxox