Remembrance Road

Several days ago I was flipping through the tv channels during a pause in what was obviously not a very busy day, and noticed that on nearly every station someone was talking about the upcoming anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.  Everywhere were the horrific photos from that terrible day.  As I put down the remote and walked away I remember saying out loud to no one there "...this is too much. We need to get over it."   Now, after attending events honoring the 3,000 people that lost their lives on September 11, 2001,  I feel guilty about my thoughts of a few days ago.  I am really that shallow?  I understand now that we don't need "to get over it." We need to remember it every day of our lives.  We need to remember those that died that day, as well as their families and friends whose lives were forever changed.

One of the first things I noticed at the registration and line-up for the Remembrance Ride yesterday was the diversity of the group.  In attendance were men and women from all walks of life...young professionals to old hippies.  Plus clubs and organizations representing many interests and lifestyles...Hamsters to Sons of Armegeddon.  We all came to together in a common cause.

In a world filled with so much violence and hate, we need events like this to bring us together to remember, honor, hope, and pray that something like this will never happen again. That change will come. And that the world will be a better place.  Some day.

Sanctuary Road

Sometimes you just need to take a break. Get away.  Find a place to be quiet. To be still. To be thoughtful. My place for this is Pathways Spiritual Sanctuary in the Black Hills between Lead and Rochford.  You don't have to be religious or spiritual to visit.  In fact, you don't have to be anything except yourself.
I offer this short - and very amateur - video as what I hope will be an inspiration for you to visit this wonderful place.  And, I hope you find it magical, educational, interesting, inspiring, or any other word that may describe the experience in a way that will make it meaningful to you.
Before you begin your visit via the the following link,  there is a brief anecdote I would like to share.  As one travels along the paths there are benches placed at various intervals with notebooks, pens, pencils and crayons for anyone wishing to add a note, comment or illustration describing their personal thoughts.  One entry caught my eye and gave me hope that, in a world where sometimes you feel like your are being overwhelmed by terrible events and bad people, there is always a glimmer of hope for the future.  On this day that glimmer was provided to me by Heidi, age 5.  I took a picture of her entry in the journal but decided not to use it here out of respect for her privacy.  Besides, there was no way I could capture the pure honesty and sincerity of her comment in a photograph.  She had used the crayons to draw a rather fuzzy picture of the Earth, and right above the drawing, in a child's uneven handwriting, were the words "the world is neat."  It doesn't translate well in this context.  I guess you had to be there.  But if you ever are, look in the notebook located in the plastic container on the bench near the angel and child sculpture.  You'll see what I mean.

Road to Sturgis - What I Saw

Well, the 2011 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is history. I haven't seen the official counts yet but I'm certain the numbers are down from previous years. There just wasn't the same buzz this year...at least not for me. But it was fun hitting some familiar and favorite places -

And, as a dedicated observer of human nature , I am never disappointed by the variety of sights to be seen during this time of year -

Their own private celebration...of something.

Love...rally style.

More "shiny happy people." 

I did notice more custom and classic style motorcycles this year -

The body paint seemed a little more artistic -

And some of the vendors went from trying to be overly creative to just getting right to the point -

Now, one final comment about Harley Davidson riders.  They just can't stand to be passed by someone on another brand of motorcycle! Don't get me wrong.  I have some good friends and relatives who ride Harleys, so this isn't a criticism or complaint, just a fact that even they will have to admit is true.  Several times this past week it happened to me, including once when I decided to have some fun with it and maybe offer a lesson in humility (although the point was probably lost on this guy).  It happened on my way to Deadwood.  I ride a Valkyrie F6  and blew by a Harley as we started up the hill leading to town.  It didn't take very long for Mr. Harley Davidson to catch up and pass me, and as he did I increased my speed to stay on his tail all the way to the final curve before the city limits.  Here's where I had an advantage, because being local I knew that right around the corner the speed limit dropped to 45, and I also knew there was often a city police officer sitting right there ready to nab anyone who dared break the law in their town.  So right at the corner I backed off, Harley rider kept going, and sure enough  BOOM there was a copper right there waiting - and he lit that Ultra Classic up immediately.  I didn't wave, gesture, or even smile. I just rode on by doing 45 in the left lane.  After thinking about it, I feel kind of bad about setting the guy up like that.  But I just couldn't resist the easy target.  We all know that the universe...karma...fate...or whatever other great equalizer might be out there...will see to it that I don't get way with it completely.  Payback is coming.  Not sure when or where, but I am pretty sure it will happen.  Hope I'm ready for it and that "they" will go easy on me.

~

End Of The Road

And you read your Emily Dickinson

And I my Robert Frost

And we note our place with bookmarkers

To measure what we've lost                                                        (P. Simon)

~

Side Roads (Sturgis Preview)

With only a few days left before the roar and rumble of motorcycles overcome the normal rattle and hum of the Black Hills, it seems like a good time to offer up some suggestions for rally goers and non rally goers alike.  If you are a regular "rallier" I suggest you take a break this year from the usual hangouts like Full Throttle Saloon and Buffalo Chip Campground.  I'm not saying not to go to those places, because they ARE fun if you like that sort of thing (and I do like that sort of thing on occasion), just don't make them your final or only destinations.  There are so many other "hidden treasures" out there that most people completely overlook or don't give a chance.  And if you are not a "rallier" maybe this year you should consider getting out of your comfort zone and try something different.  Expand your horizons.  Live a little. These are all places where you can be a pirate but not worry about ending up with an eye patch, a hook or a peg leg.  So go ahead and dig up some treasure!

First stop - Stone House Saloon.   Located about 5 miles west of Belle Fourche, or about 30 miles west of Sturgis, this is actually an old stone farmhouse that is only open during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
You'll find beer, burgers and quite an eclectic and diverse clientele.  Bikers, cowboys, local businessmen and women, students, even a few Canadians passing through who think they've discovered some tourist attraction that wasn't on the map they picked up at that truck stop in Wyoming.  I'm pretty sure there are more than a few tourists who pull in and end up having more fun here than at the Cosmos Mystery Area or Flinstones Village.  AND...back again this year it's Pee Wee Moore and the Awful Dreadful Snakes playing some of the best hillbilly rock and country music you'll ever hear around these parts.

Get there early.  They only play during the day from Noon to 5.

Not much further west off I-90 between Spearfish and Sundance is Beulah,Wyoming, home of the Sand Creek Trading Post.  Last year they had a makeshift pool bar set up outside with some fun waitresses with great attitudes serving cold beer and smiles.  I'm hoping it will be the same thing this year.  This is another place where you'll find a slightly strange mix of locals and visiting bikers all getting along and having a good time.

Another "bar" experience you may want to consider is a trip to the Moonshine Gulch Saloon in Rochford, approximately 25 miles south of Deadwood via Highway 385 or follow the Rochford Road out of Lead.  To give you an idea of what to expect - a few years ago I stopped in to grab a beer and a burger, and wanting to know exactly what I was getting, I asked the rather shaky old-timer behind the counter what they put on their cheeseburgers.  He raised an eyebrow and said in a very authoritative tone "Cheese!" But don't mistake anyone's demeanor for rudeness. That's just the way it is at the Moonshine.

By now you might be wondering if I have any suggestions other than bars.  As a matter of fact I do.  It is amazing how many people come to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally & Races, but never attend an actual motorcycle race.  You should consider taking in a Jackpine Gypsies sponsored Short Track Race or Hill Climb.  They are held every day during rally week right off I-90 between Sturgis exits 30 and 32.

Whether you are into motorcycles or not, think about seeing an actual custom bike show or builder's exhibit.  The combination of art, engineering and design is something almost anyone can appreciate.  Check out the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building in downtown Sturgis August 7th - 10th.  You will also find many custom bike builder exhibits at various locations around town.

And finally - go to a Biker Breakfast.  You'll find them at churches and senior citizen's centers throughout the Black Hills, and you don't have to be a biker to attend.  I've been told one of the best is offered up by members of the Spearfish Senior Center on 10th Street.  It goes from August 7th through the 13th, starting at 7 a.m. each day.   You may find something more than just breakfast there...like friendly and interesting people who truly are glad to see you, and appreciate the fact that you showed up.  I plan on making the rounds.  Hope I run into you some morning.  Not too early, though.  I mean...after all... it is Rally Week.

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Festival Road

It was hot on Sunday.  It's hot every year during the Spearfish Festival In The Park. You can count on it, just like you can count on giant turkey legs, pork chops on sticks, waffle cones, giant corn dogs, peace sign lawn ornaments and lots of tie dye.  Oh, and the beer garden.  Can't forget about the beer garden.
We always enter the park the same way, walking in from 3rd Street to avoid the major traffic.  This route also takes us along the creek immediately as we enter the park, so our first experience is seeing the children playing in the shallow water just above the falls.  Who doesn't remember playing in a creek as a child?

We browsed all of the familiar places.  It was fun looking at the variety of dried flowers, etched mirrors, walking sticks, framed watercolors, oil paintings and photography.  It was also fun looking at the variety of people.  There were the usual suspects...Mr. and Mrs. Retiree moving slowly along the path. Young moms with their young children in strollers being pushed by young dads.  Old hippies.  And just about everything in between.
My favorite stone seller was there again, with all of her familiar stones and crystals. She also had a rather nice selection of magic wands this year.  But, none of them chose me so I had to leave empty handed once again.

I noticed an abundance of tie-dye items this year.   There were the skirts, t-shirts and bandanas that you would expect to find...plus some other, well, more "personal" items.

Actually, tie-dye underwear for 8 bucks is not a bad deal.

Birdhouses were a common theme.  You know, as you get a little older, you buy things you never would have even considered when you were younger.  The thought of buying a decorated bird house has never even entered my mind...until this year. And we got a nice one.  Roomy, easy entry, real cedar trim, great location.  And the rent is reasonable - only a song, and no deposit required.

And now the award for the Best Booth of 2011.  It goes to..."girl ran away with the spoon."  Hand made silverware jewelry and accessories.  Very cool rings, ear rings, necklaces and bracelets made out of old spoons, forks and knives.  Great idea! The artist is Erin Thormodsgard from Miles City, Montana.  Check out the website at www.erinshock.etsy.com.  

Final note...in case you are wondering...the photos are inspired by an article I came across at the Boston Globe online (http://www.boston.com/business/gallery/polaroidpics), and created with a software program called Poladroid.

by the way - I'm sure the only time many people visit the Spearfish City Park is during the festival each year.  But, it really is an awesome place to just hang out any time.  So don't be a stranger.  See you there!

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Road Songs

Recently I was riding in a car with a friend, whose name is being withheld to protect him from ridicule, and I couldn't help taking notice of the cd that was playing.  The first two songs were by Madonna and Neil Diamond.  Not that there's anything wrong with some "Material Girl" or a little "Cherry, Cherry" on occasion.  But, for driving music?  C'mon Bob (not his real name) - that is NOT road music!
So as a public service, here are some essential songs for your next road trip.  Hopefully this list will inspire someone...anyone...to put aside their ipod, mp3 player, XM or Sirius satellite radio for even just one day.
And if you do actually burn these songs to cd, I recommend you find a Sharpie and write on the label: "Best Road Songs Ever," because that's what they are.

RADAR LOVE  - Golden Earring  ("I've been drivin' all night, my hands are wet on the wheel")

ROADHOUSE BLUES - The Doors ("Keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel")

LOW RIDER - War ("Take a little trip, take a little trip...with me")

HIGHWAY PATROL - Junior Brown ("If I write you out a ticket, then you'd better drive slow")

JULY, YOU'RE A WOMAN - John Stewart ("I can't keep my eyes on the white line out before me")

HIGHWAY 61 - Bob Dylan ("Tell me quick man I got to run - that way down Highway 61")

AGAINST THE WIND - Bob Seeger ("I'm older now but still runnin' against the wind")

HIGHWAY STAR - Deep Purple ("All right hold tight, I'm a highway star")

GUITAR TOWN - Steve Earle ("I love to hear the steel belts hummin' on the asphalt")

I'VE BEEN EVERYWHERE - Johnny Cash ("Listen bud, I've traveled every road in this here land")

SAVING GRACE - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers ("Running for another place to find that saving grace")

GUITARS, CADILLACS - Dwight Yoakam ("Now it's guitars, cadillacs, hillbilly music")

FLIRTIN' WITH DISASTER -Molly Hatchet ("I got the pedal to the floor, our lives are runnin' faster")

RUNNING ON EMPTY - Jackson Browne ("Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels")


Feel free to add your own to the list.  But, don't even think about replacing any.  These are not negotiable.

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