Wednesday, June 1, 2011

VROC - WWR V Deadwood, SD

Blog is from top to bottom, click on a pic twice to see it full size, text for a pic is under the pic..  I was gonna do bottom up, but had my netbook and cannot type on it!

Don VSP blog  http://vroclinks.blogspot.com/2011/06/deadwood.html

Sherm    http://sherm363.blogspot.com/2011_06_01_archive.html

Skid, you have to scroll down the right and find it...

http://skid1850.blogspot.com/2011_06_01_archive.html 

Mals     http://joeandyvette.blogspot.com/2011/06/2011-deadwood-rally.html

Bucky's  http://buckysadventure2011.blogspot.com/

Jamies   http://ourriding.blogspot.com/2011/06/wwr-5-deadwood-2011.html

                       June 3 - June 19     4,355 miles  
                               Long post!  Sorry

Aebleskiver Rally 6/22 - 6/26    828 smiles     5,183 smiles in June!

                     Prolog, getting ready  June 1



                     
Well, it's time for my month of travel!!  Whaaa  Whooo!!!!!!  So off I go, did a weather check..  wowser!!!   June 1.....  Like to get my hands on albore!!!!  GBG  I'm headed for the middle part of the pic... sigh....


My Trip to Deadwood, SD.  Click to see my path....  It takes you to a real google map and you can move around.



My trip back is iffy, I wanted to take US 212 but so far, it's closed by snow and ice....  I'd prefer this to I-90 but don't want to get 150 miles into nowhere and dead end....  Quite honestly, I will be happy to get back to the coast and get rained on...  stinkin' weather.   This has to be a banner year for "it ain't normal", sigh...  (Note, I got my wish on on 6/18, rained on me most of the way down 5 in Ore... last shot at me...)

       Day 1  June 03

Change in plan - 1  I wanted to take 88 over the mountain, but it had a snow chain required in the am, not good.  Don VSP  posted he went up 80 for the same reasons... hey, any way there!!!


 On to Deadwood!!!!


My bags are packed and I'm ready to go...  Houdini wanted in the pic, I call him Who Dog.  Real nice Australian sheep dog.    

My first leg is to Sparks / Reno to visit my youngest boy and wife, and they are expecting a boy in mid year. 

They are all set up and waiting...  I think they have a name planned but ain't tellin'... so for now... it's Snodpod..  GBG
Day 2 - June 4.

Getting ready to head out ....


I was just getting out in the desert.... stopped to take a pic of .... not much...  It is just amazing how much of nothing we have out west....
Behind me...

To my right...

and left...  Not much but me out here!!!  And the desert is always changing.....

Eureka, I've found the place!!  GBG  About every 100 miles, give or take, there are little towns where you can get some gas and a snack if you want...  This is Eureka....

Day 3 - June 5 in Delta, Ut

Got up Sun am and went looking for breakfast, to say they rolled up the streets would be a gross underestimation...  I did notice they take good care and have respect for their Vets.

I drove down the street real slow and found this restaurant and hotel...  

This is how I spotted it...  bunch of pick up trucks parked and some folks sitting outside drinking coffee... Turned out to be the local spot and it was good!

And on down the road... gee... more nothing!  But I really do like just riding and think I like riding by myself, my time, speed, stop when I want...  Solo and I agree on this type of riding....

I've learned to get a sandwich to go at breakfast, that way, find a spot in nowhere land and eat in peace.   Doesn't take much time and you don't have to hunt for lunch...

At a gas stop in Provo UT, the ever present snow.... but the scenery was gorgeous!!! Desert all gone now...
Day 4 - June 6

Motel Row in Rawlins Wy

OK, I'm impressed easily...  A rest stop in Wy, they were all great!!!  Modern, clean and well designed.   This stop honored the early history.

That rock was the focus of the plaques...   Independence Rock State Historic Site

Well, I guess I'm back to being in the plains.... off to my right...

And left...  This site was about 60 miles north of Rawlins, Wy.... where my coffee wore out!

The next one on Rt 20 just after I left I-25 east, and headed for Lusk and gas.

After Lusk and heading out on 85, which would take me the rest of the way... I stopped for a pic.  Nice green and winding road, getting into the trees again...  Very nice.    I love scenery shots.

I stopped just inside Deadwood to gas up... and who rides by?  JamieT and I saw Sherm on a black Goldwing... Now  I know he said he was getting a Harley..  

HHHHMMMMMM????    He was test riding Rainman's/Randy's  scoot, apparently the front end did not feel right..

JamieT did a U turn and said "wait here, and I'll take you to the hotel", well, I do Nothing, quite well!!!  He came back and on we went!  Thanks!  Big help!

Just got off the scoot and took some shots...

In the center 6-Pack Jack and Rainman were chattin' with some folks and of course, I forgot the other names... sigh...

JamieT and Sherm in his colorful shirt, I'm now restarting my blog after loosing a lot!  Our first warm day and power kaput, sigh... + $*)!#*%!)!*%*

Deb and Brillo pulling in, think JamieT was telling them about the layout...

Teri giving us a look over shoulder in the center.  I noticed my pics were a bit fuzzy, must have had the wrong scene selected and didn't notice it.....

Bucky getting an update on something.... from Kopperhed....

Just shooting some shots in the parking lot....

I don't know if KT was thanking her lucky stars for getting here safe or talking to someone on the second floor!  GBG

Day 5 - 6/7

Skid, 6-pack, Sherm and Randy looking at Randy's front end... as Sandy and Corvette look on....  They were all heading out on a ride, but today was my day to go to the Kaw display and on to Crazy horse and Mt Rushmore sites.  And this was a very windy day!

I think Skid is about to make a point here!   GBG

Bucky standing by her new 99 'Nad, and it only had a few K miles on it.  I can't believe that folks can have these scoots for all these years and not ride them...

Bucky told me to make sure and do the pigtail road in Custer State Park, and it was very worth while!  Thank you!!!! 


They had a wash area set up at the end of the building,  right next to Teri's new Vaquero.  It was red, had bag rails, aux lights and I believe the power outlet, perfect set up..  But I'm waiting for the 'Nad to get the good / old saddlebags!  I think that's where I want to be, don't want all that "stuff" up front....

Folks getting ready to go for a ride.

Well, I made it to the Kaw display, and it was nice, they had plenty of scoots of all kinds, nobody went wanting for a ride!  Thank you very much Mama Kaw!!!!!

Here comes Stewey and Ronda, I finally got to meet the man who rides in snow!!   Of course, I met him earlier....
Stewey and Ronda waiting to go for a ride, he had already picked out his scoot...

And off they go!

Wrong Turn and KT are off too...

One wild looking scoot!

The setup, they put on quite a production!  Thank you for doing this!!!!  The wind was really whipping that awning around!

As I head back to the Motel, I decided to take a pic of down town Deadwood.

I went by a lake and I tried to get a pic that would give you an idea of the wind, the lake was very active...

Another try...

This is the lake I was at... I have to take pics of signs, only way to remember! 

Off to Crazy Horse, pic one of the site...

Pic two...

The main entrance.  Once inside we had to watch a movie about the site, I'd suggest buying the DVD, think I will order it, kicked myself for not getting one while there.  The planed monument is huge and will take many years to complete..

So far only the face is complete.  The area behind the face is the size of the complete Mt Rushmore site... this is  a big one!

Hey, we have to have an Indian, eh?

Outstanding color and detail!
Another shot inside the park, after the movie....

Shot of a head dress...

This is a model of what they think it will look like when completed.

The inside is very well done in wood and nicely finished.

A model made to exact specs and what it will look like when done.  I'd think it will not be as smooth, but I'd guess, close.  


Well, time to leave and on to Mt Rushmore...remember I said it was windy?  I'll guess between 45 and 50 mph...  in leaving, I was finally going with the wind at 55 mph, held my hand over the shield and felt almost no wind... serious wind!

Turns out they were doing maintenance... here I sit, paid my nickel and.....

But I get there!  A lot of walking, but I needed it!

Nice place done well.   Lots of flags! 

Very impressive!

Headed back down the line of columns...  I think there is one per state...

This is why I think so.... all down the line...

This is the dude that did the work, IIRC

A scenery shot, just gorgeous!

Well, I get back to the motel and get a pic of Susan!!  Great to see you again, and you're one heck of a rider!  Great on Ya!

JR's son, Condi, Don VSP and  JR with Stewey in the back ground....
I think Corvette is making some kind of comment on the wind....  GBG


Lanny, Sandy, JamieT and Corvette having a chat...

Don VSP and JR doing the same....
Melanie and Corvette chatting...   I just can't call her Trouble, she is a sweetheart and what she and JamieT did for this rally deserves a 5 star rating!  Thank you very much, just ain't enough! 



Jim and KT Chatting with folks..  my blurred pics are back... I'll take care of that... later... sigh  A once in a Blue Moon event....

The NoClassEak!!!  Let's see, Classic, with a Mean Streak motor, and Nad front end... 

Just shooting some shots in the parking lot.. you will have to look at Skid, Sherm and Don VSP blog for names... I don't want to get them wrong...

Sandy and KT, notice that you don't see any shorts and T's around...

I wish I had noticed the images, sigh, KT, Jim and Melanie  by Bucky's nice Nad...

I'm thinking real hard this is Mike, Skid, 6-Pack, and Randy...

Stewey, JamieT and Solo... I'm finally getting to meet some folks that I'd typed to for a long time, and it's GREAT!!!!!

The Yuma contingent and Don VSP

The evening parking lot...

JamieT and Solo having a grin...

                Day 6 - 6/8  It's my birthday and I'll cry if I want to!!!  GBG

The day started off with a HB song in the local restaurant led by Sherm... a bit embarrassed, but THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!  


I kinda needed that.... when I arrived Monday, I found out my last living immediate family relative died, my oldest brother Kenny, 83, RIP.  I put my back boards down and we headed out to Custer State park, and it was beautiful!!!

I WILL do the wild life loop!!!  Bucky told me to do the pig tail road... later....  We have tunnels!!!  and they are just big enough for a pickup and camper....

And we have some great rock formations!

And tunnels....

That looks like a needle!  I'm a son of a sewing machine man, I remember long shuttle leather belt treadles!  Not many do....


Would I kid Ya????  GBG


A scene shot by the needle.


As I approach, another tunnel, another scene shot, just loving this area...


Remember I said pick up and a camper... if he hits a bump on one side, he scrapes...


A couple shots the other direction....
OK, I'm tunnel happy....
Above the tunnel....

So I get to a eating area, and I've been following this little creek, and of course a kid is playing by it...

So I got to stop by the Hole in  Wall...  If you look at the previous pic, you can see a hole in the wall....

Hey!  We made it! 

My notebook pad material....

Real nice grazing land...

A beefalow... darn they are big!!!  and when it's up close and personal.....

Another one... they just go where they want to... and I don't have a clue what would stop them....

I was running down the road and saw some in a grassy area, and missed some of them....

OK, admitted nature nut, and just loving this country....

This is where I was... it was a pull out and I stopped, couple other scoots were there also...  this is a small world.....  Sign says leaving Black Hills National Park...

One of the scoot riders came over, and asked me if I was  a PGR rider, well, the banner on my windshield says so... joined 6 months after they were formed, Mar 06.

He asked me if I knew about the gathering of the guard, GOTG, I said yes, it's when they have the national meeting..


He said it would be in his home town, and he was the Chief of Police.  Floored me,  we talked a bit and he is a strong supporter.  Hope all ride safe!



Another note pad pic...  Now I'm getting to the pigtail road....  whoo  whoo!  GBG

Ya see, all these pigtail road tunnels form a direct line up with Mt Rushmore.. If I had a decent camera, you would see it on the other side...

Remember the Chief?  Well, they came by as I was taking a pic, I stopped them and told them they wanted this pic... they thanked me much....


Interesting pic... to me anyway!  I believe Mt Rushmore is on the far side....

We're about to get to the pigtail road....  Iron  Mountain Highway!!!  Gorgeous!

Bottom of the pic, Iron Mt...

Yup, the faces are out there....

I like this tunnel... see the shadow in the middle...???


See that gap in the hill?  That was the shadow in the tunnel..


This is the road on the other side as it cork screws down the hill, ergo, pig tail... it goes around and comes out here....


I missed this one, left the scoot and walked into the very narrow tunnel.... damn near got squashed!  GBG  see the car coming????!!!

More pig tail turns, over the bridge, round about and this way!  Then the road smoothed out and back to Deadwood... well, not quite.  I've been passing this place and wanted a pic....

By golly, the sign says it all!  Boondocks!  Some neat old cars!

Nice dragster....

Nice old gas station.. I bought a scoop of ice cream, felt I needed to help  a bit, I only took a small one... the lady asked me if I was cold... I lied...  GBG  For a trip in June, I had my heated hand grips on every day, IIRC...

Studebaker, looks like a '66 Golden Hawk, real nice car!

Ok, we even have Barney here!

Nice Porch...

And even a Farris wheel!

Some folks stayed around for a train ride on Friday, I'll have to guess this was it.... GBG

...As I headed back into Deadwood, I wondered who was that famous dude that got shot in the back holding aces and eights...  well, wonder no more Wild Bill Hickok!


Sorry for the blurred pics, but I finally got to meet Whompus on the right....


Another "camera" shot, sorry, blurry....

Big Ugly, was sharing some of his Irish Whiskey, it was good, but I don't think you would last long with it....

                                                              Day 7 - 6/9

Ok, I was a tad over 10 miles from Sturgus.... had to go... took a pic to prove it, most unimpressive....

Main Street, the sign told me so....  And back to the motel... the weather was not that great, and I made the two runs I wanted... so a down day.....

Folks milling around getting ready for the group pic and then on to the banquet.  I don't eat at night, so got to get in some much needed exercise.... 

Then on to the drawing...  I paid my buck for the trolley so I could get a schedule of pick ups, it took me a block and the driver said, I'm going to make a 20 minute detour, do you want to go?   Geez... walked anyway, and fine, needed the exercise as I've been lazy for toooooo long....

Took a pic of a stream, anything water was running,  I thought I rotated all my pics.. I missed this one..  Just kinda lay your head on your left shoulder!  GBG

Thought I might as well take some town shots....

The second floor windows are nicely decorated!!    This must've been a popular place in the old days...

More ladies....
This must be the place!!!!
Yup, the fire engines have arrived, I figured I'd found the VROC nite spot alright!  GBG

True to VROC tradition, it was a 2 - alarm call.....

Paramedics are going in...  I figured that I could just follow them to the party!

Well, it turns out they were after someone else, and I had to ask directions and made it!  Took a few table pics....  Condi and JR on the far side...

This was the granddad of the child that Melanie and Jamie chose to sponsor with the 50-50 and he was truly appreciative of our support.  God Bless him and his family and may all turn out great!

Don VSP asked me why I was carrying a nylon jacket....  well, here's why, raining like heck.  I had no hopes of the trolly so walked back to the motel.  My Dress Sweats were so heavy by time I got there, I had to hold them up!

As the old saying goes... "Turn out the lights, the party's over...."  Check the other blogs for some closing pics...

Great time and thanks to Melonie and Jamie for all they did!!!
                                                       Day 8  6/10

Headed for my son's place in Tillamook, Or, night 1 at Livingston, MT...  This is the last pic for the camera....  remember once in a Blue Moon?

I was trying to figure out why none of the lights worked and my PC was not charging...  while moving around, I knocked a beer over, now this has to be perfect... I had dropped the camera some time back and as a result, the plastic trim at the top had popped out a bit...  The beer and camera were set up like domino's and the beer knocked the camera over and it was just perfect arangement for the beer to pour right into that gap and fill the camera up....  Yup, trash... sigh.. 

Josh posted that a Cannon Power shot was a good choice, got on Amazon and ordered a A490, sent to house...  Nice camera!!!  Thanks Josh!!!

                                                    Day 9 - 6/11

Went to Clarkston, Wa and took  the LOLO Pass, route 12 and I've NEVER been on a more gorgeous road!!!! Just hours of following the little stream turn into a river, into a roaring river, merging with the White, huge river, and then the Eel, and become the Columbia!!!

All the way down the Lewis and Clark trail, I could just imagine them folks shooting some great rapids on rafts!  Fantastic!  Put that on your list of must do's!!!
  

                                           Day 10 - 5/12  Tillamook, Or...
Just rested, har...  son and I split and threw around 1/2 cord of wood!  Good workout, yes he had a splitter, but the logs needed wrestling!!!  

Then on to Gladstone to visit with old buddy, over night in Weed and home on fathers day... whew....

Now, IIRC, there was a little get together just south of here and it looks like 1 will be open....  On the Road again!!!  Just can't wait to get on the road again!!!  Sing it Willy!!!  


Think I'll try a ride on the 'Nad this time.....

My first day back I rode my favorite route, wife said I was silly after so long off the cranky machine...  about 1/2 way up the hill, I was calling myself much stronger words!  GBG

http://dadfunrides.blogspot.com/2010/03/san-jose-arc-bernal-19-mi-loop.html

Take a look, it is a great trail, and you can see what I have to "put up with" in the big city!!!!    GBG

4 comments:

Rightwing said...

Nice Cranky. Wishin' I had gone with!

VROC #5569-r said...

Nice pics Cranky.

susan-zmean1 said...

I really enjoyed your blog, Cranky. Nice pics
and just the right amount of description. Thanks for the "heck of a rider comment." It was good to see you again.

David said...

As usual Bill, you do a fine job of taking us there with you. Sorry to read about your camera but the Canon should serve you well.