One of the locals walking a pet.
Vacation Log
Day 1
With the bulk of the preparations having been accomplished by Karen with the pop-up the only things left to pack were the bikes, clothes and food. A trip to Woodman’s solved the food, then a few armloads of clothes were stuffed into suitcases. The bikes were easy, or so I thought. The Fe+ is down with a broken brake lever so the Flyte gets to travel so on the Jetta it went with the Axiom. A quick drive through at Octopus Car Wash resulted in a nearly sterile interior of the 4Runner. This would put Karen in a better mood having all my construction dust removed from her ride.
The projected departure of 9 am came and went. So did 10, 11, noon, 1 and 2, nope, wait, we could make 2pm! With the day being stress free, really, there was no yelling or tension, it was just a matter of time before the wheels were turning westerly.
By 2 the girls were loaded and ready, but Karen noticed my Axiom. “Now wait a minute, you’re bringing a road bike? I want to bring one too.” I offered to load her Appel but she opted for her RB-1. I asked if she wanted the flat bars to stay of should I bring the Cinelli Model 64-40’s for her? Yup, bring the Cinelli bars. I had intended to leave a little later anyway but now I had to make a stop at a bike shop for a rear brake cable.
So off they went. I took a quick shower and shaved. Then off to get the cable and fuel the Jetta. I was ready to roll and the phone rings. “Have you left yet? I need my green stretchy pants.” Nope, I’ll turn around and get them.
It’s nearly 3 now. But at least it’s a good day. I get the Jetta pointed westward on the I and I call ahead to see how much of a lead the girls have. They’re nearly 60 miles ahead. I do the math and figure I should catch them by Sioux Falls with ease if I just maintain ~75mph. They’re maxed out at 65mph with the trailer in the wind so I have the advantage.
I respect the Wisco State Patrol and keep the speed to no more than 75. But once over the Big Muddy I start hearing Jerry Reed in the back of my head. Right about then a Honduh Minivan with FIB plates and a Schaumburg plate frame blasts past me. The road in Minnesoda has straightened out and all the mystery of hiding places for their LEOs is gone. I let him get a half mile or so up the road before I match his speed. 75… 80… 85… 90… 95… 100? … nope back down to 95. I had plugged the iPod into the speakers and was rolling to Ramstein and others. With the Honduh off the front looking for the LEOs I settled in and drove. I dig the Jetta, those German Engineers rock.
The only hiccup along I-90 is a ten minute stretch of construction area. Here’s 5 minute and 21 seconds of it.
Shortly after that I called ahead to see what the interval was. It was down to a few miles and I was getting low on fuel. Even having pushed the pace and having two bikes hanging on for dear life the Jetta got 24.5mpg on that tank of gas. I would make Albert Lea with ease but it would be wise to refuel. We arranged to trade Sephie at that point so Karen could get a head start having already taken care of her fuel needs. Sephie brought her bag of stuff and called “shotgun” …as if I might have wanted to let her drive. Those years are quickly approaching.
We ran through a very clean restroom after fuel and off we went. After a time I saw a sign…”visit our 60’ Jolly Green Giant.” No way, 60’? I looked ahead a few miles and there he was, peeking above the trees. We whipped off the I and drove up. Ho ho ho!
Back in the Jetta and westbound. I pushed it a bit after doing the math and then the phone rings. “There’s a cop on the overpass at mile 83. Don’t get caught.” We were 17 miles away so I had a buffer. I made the best of the information and back down and started giving Sephie the how-to and why of looking for the LEOs without electronic detectors. Sure enough, the spot I picked at mile 85 as an example revealed a Crown Vic lasering. He’d not get me.
We caught Karen with a few miles to spare before our reserved spot at Pallasaides State Park in SD. It was sunset and the pop-up was done.
The rains came around 1am.
Day 2
Swam a lot in the river. Like for 3 hours. Everyone else had floaties but I didn't mind the workout. No riding, but I was smoked by the end of the day.
Sephie and some boys in the water on day 2.
Day 3
Getting up on day 3 wasn't happening. Especially with a black panther on you.
Sephie and I made the trip to Center Lake in Custer State Park together. Set my eyes on the horizon and cruised at ~90. Look at a map and you'll see why. Flat and straight. Picked up a hitchhiker in Chamberlain after giving Karen a 2 hour head start after lunch. He's on his way to Sturgis for work. I snuck a $20 in his day pack when he wasn't looking to avoid hurting his pride. I think it'll come in handy. We arrived in Rapid City around 7pm. Reloaded the coolers with ice, beer, Mike's Hard Lime and root beer. Sephie and I did Hwy 16a south of RC and got into camp just as Karen was finishing the set-up of the pop-up.
Sephie with the 4 Prez behind her on Hwy 16a
Day 4
I hopped on the 7 for a little ride. I'll have to look at the topography later but I did 25 miles in 1:40. From Center Lake to Keystone, up to Mt Rushmore and then up 16a again and back to Center Lake. Lots of 39x25 time. Most of it sitting but the occasional uphill turn that I needed to stand up to keep moving forward. Spent the rest of the day relaxing and watching Sephie swim and make new friends.
Top of Hwy 16a with the 4 Prez behind me to the right.
Moments before the was a sign "Livestock at Large", I guess I was warned.
Uphill into Black Hills Park.
Hwy 16a Loop. Just ignore the dip before the summit.
I shouldn't hit the button when I'm not looking.
Holy Terror? really...
Day 5 (today) Packed up everything and moved to Stockade Lake North. I'm in Custer to get a Breve and pirate some WiFi. Everyone charges for WiFi so I had to walk around town a bit. Don't ask where I'm leeching.
Mountain Goat was here. The back end of the one on the right looks just like him.
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