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.

                                                           -0-


                            

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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Holiday Road

It's something I've wanted to do for a quite awhile. Take a long solo motorcycle trip and cover a lot of miles in a short period of time.  The 4th of July holiday weekend presented the perfect opportunity.  And, I had the perfect destination...St. Cloud, Minnesota.  Well, maybe St. Cloud Minnesota is not really a perfect destination.  But it's where an old friend from my radio days lives, and I thought it would be a good idea to do a "pop in."  Everybody loves a "pop in."  The plan was to leave Sunday and be back Tuesday evening.  That's over 1300 miles in two and a half days.  I was hoping my ambition did not exceed my abilities.
Things were looking up from the start when, less than 100 miles into the trip, I spotted a girl sunbathing on a platform in the middle of a small pond just a few hundred yards off the interstate.  I thought to myself...how cool it is that this chick is out there all by herself just soaking up the sun seemingly unconcerned with the traffic racing past, and paying no attention at all to the horns honking in appreciation.  It would have been one of those road trip memories to look back on occasionally and smile.  I said it would have been.  But, today's edition of the Rapid City Journal snatched that fond memory from me and smashed it into a thousand tiny pieces.

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/image_9adfa420-3904-5919-8aea-20b93fa77970.html

It was a mannequinn!  Nothing more than an elaborate hoax.  Look for it at mile marker 71 the next time you travel east on I-90 out of Rapid City, South Dakota.  

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An observation:  Have you noticed that a lot of the old cool road names are being replaced by street numbers.  What was once Crooked Creek Road is now 177th Street.  Shuffling Duck Road is now 188th Street, and Mean Old Woman Road is now 284th Street?  How do you have a 284th Street 5 miles out of a town with a population of only 700?  OK, so I made up Shuffling Duck and Mean Old Woman roads, but you know what I mean.  Some things should just be left as they are.


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After the first 400 wind-blown miles it was time to stop for the night and grab a bite to eat and a beer.  Luckily, my motel was right across the street from a rather inviting little place called the Red Eye Bar. 
There were a few motorcycles parked out front and some people outside talking and enjoying a fair summer evening, so this seemed like a place where I could just fit right in.  I walked over, and as I reached the front door it was blocked by some ugly dudes wearing vests displaying the name of their motocycle club.  To be specific - the name was "Sons of Silence."  I don't know how well you may be informed regarding motorcycle gangs, but the Sons of Silence make the Hells Angels look like Erik Von Zipper and the Ratz.   Now what was I going to do?  I was sort of committed.  I couldn't turn around and try to walk away for fear of hearing a raspy voice growl "What's wrong? You too good for us?"  So I just turned sideways, squeezed by and walked inside hoping not to find more of these guys and a bar fight in progress.  Much to my relief, there were only a few regular people scattered around inside and a very cool bartender who assured me there would be no trouble and proceeded to give me a 2 for 1 deal right up front.  Nice.  By the time I left the bar the group outside had dwindled and I was able to escape without incident.  Nothing more to see here.  Let's move along.

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Another observation:  While pumping gas at a travel stop convenience store along the way, I noticed a family having lunch on the tailgate of their pickup which was parked on pavement in the hot sun.  At the intersection nearby was a sign that read "City Park 4 Blocks."  What were these people doing eating out of a cooler in the back of their truck with cool grass and shade only 4 blocks away?  Makes you wonder sometimes, doesn't it?

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Minnesota is pretty.  Most of the towns I rode through were clean and looked prosperous.  Made me wonder why the state is broke.  Even the rest stops were closed.  At one point during the conversation with my friend I made a comment about how many lakes I had seen along the way, and he reminded me that the Minnesota state slogan is "Land of 10,000 Lakes."  He also commented on the fact that so many lakes in his state have water that is murky and green from all of the agricultural waste run-off, while our lakes in the Black Hills are crystal clear and clean.  It's true, and it's another example of how fortunate those of us are who live here.

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It's fun to be a tourist, even when it's relatively close to home.  The 1880 Town is a tourist trap for sure.  But it's an awesome tourist trap!

A nice sight for a weary traveler.

The Train Car Dining Room was pleasant step back in time.

A scene you won't see in a city of concrete and steel.       

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And in conclusion...Henry, South Dakota  is "Home of the Owls."  I saw it on a sign at the entrance to town.  I can picture the cheerleaders on Friday nights in the Fall " .....2 - 4 - 6 - 8. Who do we appreciate? Owls! Owls! Owls!"

Oh, one more thing.  I passed many roadside fireworks stands on this trip, but the one I remember was called "Kaboomski's."  Great name. 

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Quick Takes

The next time you drive (or ride) by a place that causes you to say "I'm going to stop there some time," don't just say it - do it!  You might just find some huge ceramic pigs. Maybe even a pink one.

Antique Emporium of Deadwood.

Or, if you dig deep enough down in the box, you may just find that still sealed Star Wars Storm Trooper Pez dispenser you didn't know you always wanted.

On another subject...I have decided I like girls in hats.  Any kind of hat. Or cap.  I'm not sure I know the difference.  I've been seeing a trend lately, or maybe just noticing now where I didn't before.  In any case, girls with hats are cool.

I think I'll buy some fireworks this year.  It's something I haven't done in recent years.  No special reason to do it this year, other than you just never know when you might need a smoke bomb or a bottle rocket. Ok, so nobody ever really "needs" a smoke bomb or a bottle rocket, but they can be kind of fun to have around.

Went up to the storage shed the other day and brought home all of my old record albums.  Wow.  I had forgotten how many I still have.  Can't wait to get the turntable and Lux receiver (circ. 1975) hooked up again so I can play some records.  There's something about hearing those classic bands on vinyl.  It's crisp, clean, raw.  Not over-processed and with too much bass like most CDs and digital music you hear today.  I'm telling you - you've never been really in the groove until you've heard Cheap Trick, Jackson Browne or the Doobies at 33 1/3 rpm.

One more thing...I'm leaving Sunday on a road trip to see an old friend.  I plan on making a few stops on the way to take some photos and possibly pick up a few post cards.  (They still sell post cards don't they?) 1300 miles round trip with no air conditioning, no cruise control, and no radio.  Just me and a liquid cooled horizontally opposed 6 cylinder power plant that will do just fine against pretty much any run-of-the-mill common V-Twin out there.

Here's hoping for a a little adventure and some smooth sailing.  So Fins Up...and I'll see you on the other side!

385

A lazy Sunday is the inspiration for my first post on this blog.  And the subject is Highway 385, which is evidence that you don't always need to go far to find your road.  It always surprises me how, after living in this area for 30 years,  I can still discover new things and find places where I've never been before.

Our first stop (my wife was my companion on this short excursion) was Strawberry Hill picnic ground.  I had been there several times before, but even repeat visits to familiar spots can provide fresh experiences.  It was Fathers Day, and we encountered a young father with his wife and two daughters who were having a great time dangling their fishing line in the small lake, anticipating the "bite."  There were smiles all around.  It's good to know that some fathers still think it's ok to take their daughters fishing.  Something tells me that's not as common as it used to be.  

On the other side were two young boys with their box of worms and fishing poles that were too big for them, but having great success just the same.  I noticed there was no father with them.  But mom was there, laughing along with them and sharing their pure joy each time they landed another 5-inch trophy.  The fish may have been small, but they put up a good fight.  

Continuing down the road, we came to the Sugar Shack.  This place has been there for years, but I only discovered it earlier this Spring on the advice of friends.  The sign says "Best Burgers in the Hills," so I asked the owner who happened to be there if that was true.  He replied "...in the WORLD."  I admire his confidence, and must admit it was a pretty damn good burger.   As we drove by this time, I noticed a similar mix of visitors that I had seen the first time...motorcycle riders ranging from dirt bikers dressed in their racing uniforms to leather-clad V-Twin owners.  From retired folks with their big coaches to dad, mom, little Billy and little Suzie in the family truckster.  And, of course, the "locals" who looked at them all with part amusement and part disdain.

A little further down the road we came to a long abandoned rock shop. The main building was in total disrepair, and out back was an old barn filled with interesting looking debris...and the smell of a dead animal, although I didn't investigate to make sure it actually was a dead animal and not a decomposing human body.  It was a perfect opportunity to trespass and do some unauthorized exploring.  But I didn't go in. I had an uneasy feeling that I shouldn't be messing around there.  Now if it was 1985 and I was a Goonie I would have just charged right in.  Because Goonies never say die!

Now the rain started coming down...getting heavier as we travelled further south to Hill City, where we enjoyed some great food and a cold beer at the Bumpin' Buffalo.  And I do mean COLD beer!  If every bar or restaurant would serve their beer this cold the world would be a better place.  Highly recommend this establishment!  Try it.  Just don't be hanging around on Main Street during the Wild West performance.  You might get shot. If you haven't heard about that deal yet, check the local papers.

One more thing before I close.  If I could live in a forest and choose the name of the street where I live, I think it would be something like this........

 

No. Let me rephrase that. It would be exactly like this.