Well we have spent the last three days in Sturgis, South Dakota. Leroy's home town, his roots. We spent time doing the nostalgia tour, we visited graves, we put flowers on grave today before leaving and we sat and watched the Homecoming parade which I think brought tears to his eyes. We had a drink with his biker and high school friends that are still in the area.We had a nice long visit, we went to Deadwood and gambled and had a superb supper at the No 10. A restaurant the locals go to. Not cheap but worth every penny. didn't feel we wasted any money there. The steak was humongous and fixed to perfection. Leroy had buffalo rigatoni. I had a tomato bisque soup that was with out a doubt the best i have EVER had. I hiked a section of the centennial trail (Leroy went for part, some of the dogs went for part, but Iris persevered). It was gorgeous hiking thru the grassland hills on the section i took and the sun was shinning, no other people around, the dogs ran their heads off and were real natural dogs like they were intended to be till they got tired and followed in my footsteps and we didn't see a rattler so all was well. I could go for hours on trails like that till I just drop and can't take another step. I can't describe the beauty and peace that comes from that. This is beautiful country. But the gravestones made it look as no one lives long here so can't settle here, ha ha. They even have a small quilt shop so i got there. We got downtown which now is just a ghost town almost when the races aren't on and Leroy got his tshirts that are his trademark anymore. We admired bikes again, we went up Boulder Canyon and he recounted many rides and incidents on that road. The Dances with Wolves was filmed here and our friend the state trooper tells us of them coming down the canyon and not taking heed of conditions and ending up trucks and all in the river. It is windy and mountainous and could be a deadly road if you aren't careful, not unlike my Boulder Canyon from Boulder Colo. We saw one of our old campgrounds that we stayed at once during the rally and they blew up the outhouse right next to us (in the nicest pattern) and Leroy had to wake me up to tell me what happened. Yes, we have had many visits here, all rewarding( except the funeral ones), and some fun rally days. Leroy has been around for all of them almost, knew and bought his first bike from the guy that organized it. We do have a soft spot for bikers. We visited the really off color campground for the rally, man has it expanded. It is on his uncles land now. We looked for the fence lines of the Hells Angels compound (they have many many acres on the back side of Sly Hill) and there is talk its a huge fence with wire that can't be crossed but what i saw wasn't to impressive. Sometimes I think they get a lot more glorified than they are. Our trooper friend says the Sons of Satan are a lot worse. But in general most of the bikers that come are just ordinary people, some very educated, and darn nice, except they get to let loose and drink and do all the things they shouldn't for a week. Many people in town rent their houses, extra bedrooms, and yards out to them while they are in town. The whole thing brings lots of needed economy to a poor little dying town that would probably be gone now had not John Pappy Hoyle started this whole thing. In all the years I have been here, I have never once felt fearful in any way or accosted. I have always been treated with respect and friendliness. There that is my info on the sturgis rally, which we missed by a few weeks.
Next year I hope to be back and hike the whole centennial trail in sections and maybe we can hit the rally again. It will be the 74th rally. I want to ride into town on a three wheeler on its 100th, Leroy and i would be in our 90's. Wouldn't that be cute. I bet we would make the papers.
We are now headed to a campground at the base lof the hills near Rapid City. We will regroup there and do some things that will have easier access from here, and hopefully get some hiking in.. Then we continue east with hopefully a stop in the badlands. I LOVE to hike the badlands.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Thursday, September 19, 2013
pictures
Lets try for some pictures to go with my texts:
Self explanatory. At ocean shores
Starfish discovered on my beach walk with naturalist
One of the canoes on beach at potlach
self explanatory.. glacier park
The ontinental trail i walked See how narrow it is?
One of those signs. Saw one in Montana too at a campground that was 7.5 mph. hard to find on spedometer.
Another of the trail,. Now give me a hand for that. i am afraid of heights but i did it anyhow.
A sunset taken in Euphrata Wa
Sid the day he was trying to look in car windows.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Montana
Well i should write well I can find a connection. I sit here in the passenger sit and write as I look around. Thank goodness for all those years of typing and secretarial work.
That, and spell check. If I am not doing something Leroy is so quiet that I often doze because I start daydreaming which leads to me closing my eyes and if my eyes are closed I am gone, doesn't matter how much sleep I have gotten. Man getting my cpap changed has made a difference. Sleeping well again.
We spent two nites in Kalispell. Kalispell is OK but mostly is it like all the little towns that sit an an entrance of a park, very tourist oriented. Tho, man, they still have A&W places, so that's good. And we are back in Sinclair country so gas is cheaper. 3.65/gal. That helps. We went thru the park on tues. It is such a beautiful place. Haven't seen it since we drove thru after we put Dandy to sleep in Spokane years ago and then it looked like it was raining from all the tears i was shedding. This time was a bit better. The dogs are along but can't get out of the car and walk on trails in national parks. We did hike tho and I went again on the continental divide Highline trail. I have pictures. I wasn't as scared as last time and we hiked about 6 miles probably. The trail is around the side of a mountain and it is about the width of one person, so its tricky when you meet people. But I did really well and really wasn't nervous till I started back and was going faster as I remembered the dogs were in the car. I had forgotten all about them I was in such a zone. I could have hiked for miles, its so beautiful and it was right up my ally for hiking trails. Last time I did it I met a mountain goat on the trail, this time all I saw was kanagroo rats (they look more like bunnies) and a marmot that showed off for us. Met nice people on the trail and in the park and of course there was comments about my hair. That happens every day. Guess I am a bit of a rogue. I am doing my pictures now as we travel so will put some on here tho they will be out of order from the posts.
The people at the parks that run them are always very nice. Yest, the guy had to find me and talk about birds. He hand raised 2 lovebirds and has a green cheeked conure. Seems I am old enough that I can always talk to people about something. It comes in handy i know a little about a lot and not much about anything.
Just saw a sign for the dates for all the Testicle Festivals from now till 2017 in Clinton Montana. Now how about that folks. Anyone want to try one.Rather a delicacy in this part of the world. I figure if you can eat gizzards you can eat testicles.
Yest when we stopped once we hit a stream comng out of the mts. Let me tell you, Sallee has a nose on her and she can smell a stream if there is one in miles. I should rent her out to people crossing the desert. Once she smells it you have to hang on cause she will get you there.
Today we continue on our trek east with no particular destination in mind for today. Will figure it out as we go along. For you Minnesota people, this will check if you read this thing, we are headed to see you. But we are taking our time so we are giving you fair warning. Get ready you folks.
Ha ha, Leroy just said "s_____ we have been driving all this time and we are only 6 miles from clinton," Guess we have been driving in circles. If anyone see us, better flag us down and head us in the right direction.
Today I got up and asked Leroy when he drove back to Washington as it was raining plenty hard. But luckily it doesn't phase us. It stormed pretty hard out here. It is interesting because as washingtonions now we have forgotten about watching the sky's for the weather changes. As you know in Washington you get what you get and you really can't see it coming or know ahead much (at least on the west side) but back here and across the plains you watch the sky"s and can predict it and if you lively hood depends on it you watch it close. They were all watching the sky"s closely yest.
So that's all from on the road for now. No real interesting stories. Maybe that will change. Stick with us, it always does, right Donna?
Oh yeah quilters, hit another store yest. I may get quilt shopped out by the end of this trip. Is that possible? It was one that had been in the sampler years ago and it was deserving of it. The owner does custom quilting in the back room and she also has quilts hung on those swing rods like at the puyallup fair, all for sale, from her and others. There must have been 30-40 quilts displayed there plus all around the store and even in the bathroom. It was truly like going to a quilt show. So I had a grand time. quilts ranged from $300 to $5000
That, and spell check. If I am not doing something Leroy is so quiet that I often doze because I start daydreaming which leads to me closing my eyes and if my eyes are closed I am gone, doesn't matter how much sleep I have gotten. Man getting my cpap changed has made a difference. Sleeping well again.
We spent two nites in Kalispell. Kalispell is OK but mostly is it like all the little towns that sit an an entrance of a park, very tourist oriented. Tho, man, they still have A&W places, so that's good. And we are back in Sinclair country so gas is cheaper. 3.65/gal. That helps. We went thru the park on tues. It is such a beautiful place. Haven't seen it since we drove thru after we put Dandy to sleep in Spokane years ago and then it looked like it was raining from all the tears i was shedding. This time was a bit better. The dogs are along but can't get out of the car and walk on trails in national parks. We did hike tho and I went again on the continental divide Highline trail. I have pictures. I wasn't as scared as last time and we hiked about 6 miles probably. The trail is around the side of a mountain and it is about the width of one person, so its tricky when you meet people. But I did really well and really wasn't nervous till I started back and was going faster as I remembered the dogs were in the car. I had forgotten all about them I was in such a zone. I could have hiked for miles, its so beautiful and it was right up my ally for hiking trails. Last time I did it I met a mountain goat on the trail, this time all I saw was kanagroo rats (they look more like bunnies) and a marmot that showed off for us. Met nice people on the trail and in the park and of course there was comments about my hair. That happens every day. Guess I am a bit of a rogue. I am doing my pictures now as we travel so will put some on here tho they will be out of order from the posts.
The people at the parks that run them are always very nice. Yest, the guy had to find me and talk about birds. He hand raised 2 lovebirds and has a green cheeked conure. Seems I am old enough that I can always talk to people about something. It comes in handy i know a little about a lot and not much about anything.
Just saw a sign for the dates for all the Testicle Festivals from now till 2017 in Clinton Montana. Now how about that folks. Anyone want to try one.Rather a delicacy in this part of the world. I figure if you can eat gizzards you can eat testicles.
Yest when we stopped once we hit a stream comng out of the mts. Let me tell you, Sallee has a nose on her and she can smell a stream if there is one in miles. I should rent her out to people crossing the desert. Once she smells it you have to hang on cause she will get you there.
Today we continue on our trek east with no particular destination in mind for today. Will figure it out as we go along. For you Minnesota people, this will check if you read this thing, we are headed to see you. But we are taking our time so we are giving you fair warning. Get ready you folks.
Ha ha, Leroy just said "s_____ we have been driving all this time and we are only 6 miles from clinton," Guess we have been driving in circles. If anyone see us, better flag us down and head us in the right direction.
Today I got up and asked Leroy when he drove back to Washington as it was raining plenty hard. But luckily it doesn't phase us. It stormed pretty hard out here. It is interesting because as washingtonions now we have forgotten about watching the sky's for the weather changes. As you know in Washington you get what you get and you really can't see it coming or know ahead much (at least on the west side) but back here and across the plains you watch the sky"s and can predict it and if you lively hood depends on it you watch it close. They were all watching the sky"s closely yest.
So that's all from on the road for now. No real interesting stories. Maybe that will change. Stick with us, it always does, right Donna?
Oh yeah quilters, hit another store yest. I may get quilt shopped out by the end of this trip. Is that possible? It was one that had been in the sampler years ago and it was deserving of it. The owner does custom quilting in the back room and she also has quilts hung on those swing rods like at the puyallup fair, all for sale, from her and others. There must have been 30-40 quilts displayed there plus all around the store and even in the bathroom. It was truly like going to a quilt show. So I had a grand time. quilts ranged from $300 to $5000
Sunday, September 15, 2013
so far
Well the first day we didn't get to far, ha ha, but that doesn't surprise me. I am slow in the morning and pick up speed as the day goes on and then when i hit my peak i then slowly peter out. if i could get going in the am faster that would help. But then i have to walk the dogs and myself, oh, it all takes time. Today I started out on the road with the dogs before he was ready and then 1-2 miles later he finally came up and picked us up.
Yest we ended up camping in Euphrata but we stopped and got gas and a bite to eat in Ellensburg. Well, that was a bit of highlight. The restaurant was staffed entirely with these big burly men. no women waitresses just these guys that looked so out of place but man the food was delicious, and the service was superb. It was just funny. then as we were leaving a corvette group pulled up, so i was busy taking pictures to send to my niece who is also part of one.
Then last nite the dogs and I took this long walk, I mean its just dust and sagebrush but the sunset was amazing and it was so peaceful. A slight breeze to cool the day off. it was a hot one where we were yest. Wish I had cooler clothes to wear that wouldn't expose this repulsive body. My legs are terrible so shorts are out of the question.
Oh we had this fight as we were driving that I needed to get my curtain on my side under control or it was going to blow the screen out. Well i couldn't and I just got mad and shut the window. Well as we are driving along what happens, his curtain blows out his screen so their we are driving along and i am trying to rescue the curtain, his lightweight jacket, and the screen which is now all bent up and half in and half out and do all this over him while he drives. It really was pretty funny if I hadn't been so mad and also a bit happy that it happened to him. Anyhow, all is well. I rescued it all, fixed the screen and now today he has the curtains anchored with, get this, diesels clean diapers. But at least we aren't fighting about it, and the windows can be open.
When we do argue, or i should say I argue he listens, its always about some stupid little thing. When will I learn. We just had our 37 wedding anniversary, but evidently it will take me longer than that!
Yest we ended up camping in Euphrata but we stopped and got gas and a bite to eat in Ellensburg. Well, that was a bit of highlight. The restaurant was staffed entirely with these big burly men. no women waitresses just these guys that looked so out of place but man the food was delicious, and the service was superb. It was just funny. then as we were leaving a corvette group pulled up, so i was busy taking pictures to send to my niece who is also part of one.
Then last nite the dogs and I took this long walk, I mean its just dust and sagebrush but the sunset was amazing and it was so peaceful. A slight breeze to cool the day off. it was a hot one where we were yest. Wish I had cooler clothes to wear that wouldn't expose this repulsive body. My legs are terrible so shorts are out of the question.
Oh we had this fight as we were driving that I needed to get my curtain on my side under control or it was going to blow the screen out. Well i couldn't and I just got mad and shut the window. Well as we are driving along what happens, his curtain blows out his screen so their we are driving along and i am trying to rescue the curtain, his lightweight jacket, and the screen which is now all bent up and half in and half out and do all this over him while he drives. It really was pretty funny if I hadn't been so mad and also a bit happy that it happened to him. Anyhow, all is well. I rescued it all, fixed the screen and now today he has the curtains anchored with, get this, diesels clean diapers. But at least we aren't fighting about it, and the windows can be open.
When we do argue, or i should say I argue he listens, its always about some stupid little thing. When will I learn. We just had our 37 wedding anniversary, but evidently it will take me longer than that!
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