Day One

  The first day of the trip ended up in a hotel with no internet access so I wrote it in a notebook.  Writing with pen and paper somehow feels good.  Our second day was not meant to end in Chicago..  actually,  I think we made it out of Chicago.  Our plan was to have lunch in Chicago but the truck decided it wanted to take that time to break down.  Thankfully,  it was still going and we could get it  in for repair.  With luck we'll be on the road again tomorrow.  The truck is not some old piece of junk vehicle..  it leaves me wondering why it breaks down on vacations!!  Thank goodness for warranties.

On The Road Again!

It is often said people get second chances... Mine is going to be to travel through the plains.  Yellowstone,  Badlands, Devils Tower, etc.. We started to travel there once and I was sick.  Turned out getting home was wise as I had pneumonia.  Since I've had it several times I now have to get the shots so I can once again travel there and have a good time!  Hopefully my pictures turn out.

Oh.. and no kids this time!

Second go around with the truck... I've not even had my laptop as we were hotel hopping.  We did ride the motorcycle to ..oh my!  Everywhere.  Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Sturgis.  Sturgis!  Battle of Little Big Horn and probably the most beautiful place in the world. 
We went to Montana and are back in South Dakota now.  We have at least one more trip to Wyoming.  My pictures didn't turn out too good. Yellowstone is now officially scratched off the list of places to visit because the truck was in the shop here in Rapid City... More to come as it is now very late and my brain is fried after sitting on the bike all day in this heat.

But you know...  this country truly is majestic.

Notes to remember... children and cliffs don't mix with parents that say, "I told him to stay away from the edge."

Cars in front of the break for semi's that lose their brakes... new book topic.  Really stupid people being killed by their really stupid mistakes.  Morbid.  I know.  Not normal every day stupid,  but tempting a semi to run over you type stupid.

Motorcycles in storms.

The road was melting.

Wizard.

Devils Tower.

Change of plans for next year...

Need to sort what pictures I have.

Need to save money again to buy a good camera.

Taco Johns

Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse,  Hill City, Deadwood, Keystone,  Lake I wanted pictures of.


Things that made the news.

Other than being ready to move... I am home and have a ton of work to do.  Unpack,  laundry, figure out who we bought these shirts for and...  get a picture of this tattoo.

More later.. I swear but right now I can't walk in the house.  The problem with trailering motorcycles to a bike rally?  You have extra space to pack things, buy things, and include enough redwood for a deck!

Plans were made in November for this vacation; one my husband wanted to go on for years.  We had originally planned to leave Friday, August 4th.  Go directly to Rapid City,  South Dakota for the week of the Sturgis Bike Rally and come home.  That was in November.

In the months prior to our departure my husband found out he'd had family in Rapid City.  Given that hotel rates seem to raise for the bike rally it would make sense to stay with family but we did not want to impose.  It would have been too much like one of those relatives that don't bother with you until they want a place to sleep for free.  So,  we opted to keep the hotel and spend this time getting to know his family rather than imposing upon them.

My husband spent hours online looking up things to see,  do,  places to ride to in South Dakota.  We debated which concerts we wanted to see and where they were.  While doing this he was able to find his family members that lived there and begin emailing them.  It was all seeming to come together but not the funds for this trip.

Days, weeks and months passed by and as construction began to slow down so did our business income.  Which meant...  the possibility of even having money to go on this vacation began to dwindle.   With this lack of funds came the discussion of postponing this vacation to another year. 

Then I started to do something I don't like to do... creative financing.  Come hell or high water my husband was going to have his vacation.  It is also during this slow down that we get the majority of our large bills.  It was looking dismal but for Father's Day I had hoped to give him $1000.00 toward this.  Not even a drop in the bucket compared to how much we'd need.  That didn't happen... another insurance bill sapped that plan.  But,  ultimately I did get money saved and for the rest I'd simply have to break out the credit cards I hate to use. 

Finally down to a couple weeks before we go and the bikes were both gone over to make sure they'd not break down.   Arrangements for the business were made so rather than shut down the boys kept working as they wanted.  As my husband completed jobs early he started to plan to leave earlier.  First it was Thursday we might be able to leave.  I packed.  Then,  Thursday's work pushed to another day so we'd leave Wednesday.  Sheridan, Wyoming was added to our trip for a stop over so we could now go to The Little Big Horn Memorial and Devil's Tower. 

I ran out of clothes and had to unpack enough to do laundry again and repack.   IF he got the cabinets done early maybe we could leave Tuesday!  Now,  I'm doing something I never did.  I started pouring over maps.  It was too much like my mother in law but I understand why she enjoys it!  With the added time,  Yellowstone National Park was added to our list of things to do.  For the first time ever we had a plan for a vacation.  An itinerary for each day.   Drive west to Yellowstone and then make our way back east to Rapid City for the week. 

Monday he left for work.  I made sure we had everything we'd need,  checked weather channels for rain,  added more clothes and started cleaning the house when the phone rang.  "Want to leave today?"  Uh... I still have to vacuum and clean the coffee pots, get the trash out;  I can't leave today!  "YES!" 

By early Monday afternoon the truck was loaded,  bikes in the trailer.   Water and soda was put on ice and packed in the truck and we were off ... we were on our way away from the worries of business,  family, bills and for once we were on what we consider an extended time away from life and spending time with just each other and it was going to be memorable!

There is little to say of our first day on the road.   So, please don't look for much here.

My husband already had his aunt's address entered into the gizmo I call "The Chatterbox."  It's a GPU ..thing.  It tells you where to go.  On top of the dash board was the atlas.  Drinks were in the cup holders and we had more stuff than on any other trip we have ever been on.  Computer,  portable DVD player,  iced tea mix for the water,  a notebook to write in and of course my pillow and blanket.  I do get cold with the AC on and he gets hot with it off.  I like snuggling under blankets so that was an issue easily solved. 

There was little to see that was new to us on this first bit of the ride as we ride to southern Pennsylvania all the time.  York to be exact.  It was further north that the chatterbox dumped us on to the Pennsylvania Turnpike.  Other than you pay for this road I'm not sure why my husband wasn't amused yet even that was short lived. 

In Pittsburgh he thought we'd get off and go get something to eat.  It seems that on the turnpike pretty much all that is offered is McDonalds.  Ick.  One tunnel and the chatterbox gizmo shut off.  It never dawned on us to turn it back on.  In fact we only thought it lost it's signal and would at any time pick up the signal and begin working again.  He hates to go to Pittsburgh.  So far,  every time he's been there he gets lost and this was no different other than,  I have family there. 

I knew he didn't want to be in Pittsburgh.  I knew he hated being lost.  I also was accutely aware that we were riding around in a truck with a trailer and he didn't particularly like driving around aimlessly.  So,  I never asked to visit them..  In fact,  when he told me to call my aunt I thought he was either joking or wanting me to call her and get directions out of there.  It was not until several days later I found out he actually meant for me to call.  To stop to visit.  Ugh!  I hate when that happens.

We finally found our way to the turnpike and it was not long after that he noticed he had no running lights on the trailer.  This was a minor frustration for him.  We got a late start so he intended to drive late but now we would have to stop at dusk.  A minor change in plans but still do-able.  Just get up real early and start as soon as daylight starts and get as far as possible the next morning.

We'd make it to Cleveland.  "Just don't stay in Parma."  I had lived there and knew at least the part of it I lived in wasn't the best of neighborhoods.  But, he was forced to stop to avoid a ticket so.. Parma Heights it was.  You know,  maybe it's a better neighborhood now?  Parma Heights is surrounded on three sides by Parma.. but it was actually a pleasant evening and we made the hastey retreat we planned.   With nothing else exciting happening.



We made it to Chicago.  I was trying to take pictures though all I could see through the camera was pretty much... white.  It made it very hard to focus.  Not to mention we were moving.  This would be a problem that would plague me through the entire trip. 

Very shortly after paying and passing through this I heard the first truly frustrated curse word.  The check engine light came on, turbo went out and now I was stuck on the phone trying to find out where the closest Ford Dealer was.  We hadn't made it far that day but, once the truck was turned in for repairs he pulled out a motorcycle and we were on our merry way to find a place to eat and sleep.  Worse case scenario is that the part wouldn't arrive until 2:00 PM the next day.  Uhhh.. I had an itinerary and Chicago wasn't on it!  But,  we adapt well and hoped for the best.

What we got was a truck that was repaired that evening.  Still too late to leave because of the running lights but ready for an early morning departure.   By Souix Falls the check engine light was on again.   He was not stopping if possible.  All of his ...uh.. whatevers suggested that everything was okay.. all but that light and the turbo not working right.   So he kept on until we made it to Rapid City where he has family.   Turned the truck in for repairs,  gave his cell phone number and that of his cousin,  got the trailer parked at his cousin's first,  then went to the hotel to see if they had rooms.  There was one glitch in this plan that we didn't know of.  Our cell phones don't work at all in South Dakota.    Of course it was a glitch.. to him.  He needed to be called for his truck.  I saw it as a good thing... work wouldn't be pestering him!

Now officially stuck in Rapid City my itinerary was trashed.  While I'm trying not to complain about scratching off Yellowstone he kept threatening to buy a new truck.  But the one in the shop was still under warranty.  We had money for the vacation not a vacation and a truck. 

The trailer was parked for the duration at his cousins.  We managed to get a hotel room for two nights.  I heard only the blur of the woman saying something about two rooms.  Why a blur?  There was a waterfall.. of sorts..inside the lobby.  It kept capturing my attention and all I heard was "two rooms."  I tried to explain there is only two of us,  we don't need two rooms.  I am a gold member.. they upgraded me to a suite!  I've never been in a suite.  We..took.. movies!  I forgot to press the record button I think!  What's new?

Once we were settled in,  okay,  we were excited.. we dropped the suitcases and went to get a bike.  What the heck,  might as well go see what Main Street Sturgis will be like come the following week, eh?  And of course time was spent with family and getting aquainted with a cousin he's not seen in thirty five years. 


I tried taking pictures but for the most part gave up on being able to make sure I was aimed right.  I've come to the conclusion that because the sun was so bright I couldn't beat the reflections or something so I just aimed the camera and took movies.  Most of the pictures I have are stills from movies I took.  I don't like the quality of picture though.  My husband has determined that before we go again I will have a different camera to take with me. 

He's only begun his vacation and making quite the shopping list!  Sturgis shirts for everyone,  a new truck and new camera.    In those first couple days we did stop at a Harley store to buy a shirt.  He likes to get one at most of the cities we go to.  What neither of us noticed until days later was that mine had been mended across the shoulder but sold at regular price.  You know,  you pay a lot of money to advertise for Harley Davidson.  I think I'm done doing that! 

The following day we got the truck .. it was a recall part that had given us such trouble.  After parking it at his cousins,  his cousin took us for a ride around to places he thought we'd like.  It is a place where you can be in grasslands and thirty minutes later surrounded by pine trees with the scent of Christmas permeating the senses.  One can't help but wonder just how people managed to survive there without the simple things in life;  air conditioning, showers, stoves and did I say.. showers? 

One main stop is where a cousin's ashes were spread.  The pictures don't do it justice.  It is a beautiful place and where we were going to go there was a wedding going on.  There is something comforting in knowing that places for endings can also be places for wonderful beginnings.  I hope the newly married couple have years of wonderful memories.








We stopped at a lake with the bluest water I've ever seen,  another stop was made and we could see part of another rock formation..George Washington's side view carved into the rocks!




Of course there was also Crazy Horse, also being sculpted out of rock.  Perhaps there will be more on both of these places at a later date but for now I need to stop.

Want to test somthing...  skip on down to read something please. 
Blech,  so far I haven't figured out how to arrange this so there is some order to the blog.  I might make a seperate one to link to for the vacation.. yeah,  good idea.  In the mean time I leave you with this....

The following day in Rapid City was a quiet one.  We were able to visit with his aunt and uncle.. I think.  Days are beginning to become just a blur.  I was up until the wee hours of the morning to make one last motel room reservation for the last night we weren't supposed to be there.    When thousands converge in one area finding a hotel becomes a challenge!  But I did it and after two nights in the waterfall hotel we were on our way to a Super 8 or some such hotel for the night. 


Come morning though we'd wake up out of our Super 8 and move on to Montana with a bag on the back of the bike.  No truck, trailer or all the conveniences of traveling with everything but the kitchen sink.  We made our way to Sheridan, Wyoming for just one night.   In the morning this time we'd wake up and go to Montana.  The sight that is known as the Battle of Little Big Horn...or perhaps better known as Custer's Last Stand.

This is one of the last of the major victories for Native Americans with Custer being killed and the 7th Cavalry defeated in roughly less than two hours.  I had been here before and went this time based on the knowledge I had.  This is a big mistake as I have since found out that there are a few changes.  This had been a memorial for the soldiers but they have since begun to add the part of the Native American Indians.  There is a memorial for them and where once only white head stones marked where soldiers had fallen,  they now have a few red granite head markers for Indians that mark where they fell and died.  However,  this is being done in hindsight I gather and is probably taking some research and discovery.  Soldiers body's were marked where they fell with the white head stone and moved to a different place of rest. 



If you look hard, or have better eyes than I do you might see three headstones ..two by the curve in the right path  and another a bit toward the left.  There is a mass grave and you see a bit of that at the bottom of the grave. 

I included the picture below because quite frankly it's the best one I could snag off the camera.  Perhaps it'll give you an idea of the size of a  tipi or teepee,  however you choose to spell it.  It was small compared to what we are used to!  Some rather interesting facts;  women made, erected and as such owned the tipi.  If the man wished to decorate it he had to ask permission.  If she was tired of him there was no divorce.  She simply placed his belongings outside of the tipi.  No fuss no muss divorce? 

The next days were spent largely at my husband's cousin's shop trying to get everyone together to go for rides.  Cousin knew others that came to town for Sturgis and I suppose because of the hanging around the days all seemed to just blur together.

The time spent with family is cherished.  That goes without saying but when one of those family members ends up on the phone trying to light a match under people's rear ends you start to feel bad for him.  And,  let's be honest,  because I'm sure cousin would most certainly understand this...  we spent too much money to go hang out in the shop.  We can do that here for free.  And... maybe if we just started taking off,  he'd finally feel free to take care of himself first.  Afterall... he too was missing out on the fun trying to get everyone together. So the next morning,  we planned on hopping in the truck and maybe by the time we get back everyone will be ready.  If they are ready before we get back.. Go.. have fun and ride safe!  We'll catch up with you somewhere.

Why the truck?  It was hot.  Very hot and I don't do heat very well.  I didn't imagine they had stores with water scattered about either.  And.. the truck has air conditioning!  There are no words to describe the Badlands.  One side of the road is rocky and the other is literally ..  prairie.  Grass.  Dried grass but grass none the less.  As if only the road seperated  two climates. 

On the right I saw a black thing.  I watched this black thing to see if it moved,  or maybe if I could identify it to no avail.  Finally my husband pulled over to point out that there was a buffalo out there and I told him no.. it's just some black thing.  Apparently it didn't like us parked there because it finally stood up and watched us.  My husband is probably pretty glad right about now that I don't walk so good because I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that if I could walk.. and run.. I'd have had the back of the truck open with the camera ready then got out only far enough to get it's attention and have it move.  You know,  closer to us rather than lay back down.  And once it was close enough to be identifiable in the camera,  so I could get really good pictures then jump in the back of the truck and start shooting away while he takes off in the truck.  But all we could get,  even using zoom was a black blur.