Devil’s Tower and Riding Spearfish Canyon

3:00 PM (Cheryl) We’ve had so much fun the past two days, we haven’t taken time to write! Yesterday we took KB truck over to Wyoming to see Devil’s Tower. The tower appears in the distance like some giant figment of our imagination as we approach the national park. Getting up close, it proves to be gulp time. I’m just glad we’re not here to scale it or anything stupid like that. I hiked a few feet up the trail toward the monolith with Frank urging me onward, but the altitude just saps my energy. One trail goes all the way around the tower and another skirts it and wanders off into some giant loop. We decided taking pictures and getting back in the truck might be the best idea. Peanut appreciated the short wait time.

We took the long way back to Sturgis and fell in love with Spearfish Canyon. So much so, we took off this morning at 8:00 a.m. on the Norton to do the loop from Sturgis through Deadwood, Central City, Lead, and Spearfish.

(Frank adds) We stopped in Lead for breakfast at a Methodist Church. It seems that just about every civic organization in the area puts on Biker's Breakfasts! We had scrambled eggs, sausage, pancakes, coffee and orange juice, all for $5.00 each. Yeah, for good food, good people, and clean restrooms, find a Methodist church. It was at breakfast that I asked "Am I in Lead (LED) or Lead (Leed)? The answer was Lead (Leed). Apparently a "Lead" is a vein of gold in a mine. I think it would be hilarious if every other local merchant put up a sign on their door that says, "You are in Lead (Leed) Colorado, and the next guy's sign would say, "You are in Lead (LED) Colorado, just to drive the tourists nuts.

(Cheryl again) Spearfish Canyon canyon twists and turns though a pine forest backed by towering stone cliffs accompanied by rushing streams and waterfalls. We stopped at Bridal Veil Falls for a few pictures and an enterprising gentleman was there selling bottles of water for $1 a pop. The trail over the creek and up to the falls proved to be too steep for me, so we again were happy to take pictures and get back on the Norton.

By the way, we’re going to try and include another video in today’s blog. Hope you were able to see the one we put in on Monday. We took today’s video on Monday morning when we lined up with the rest of the bikes along Main Street Sturgis. Starship Snoopy attracted several onlookers, and I got a bit of video showing Frank “showing off” the Norton. Note the back of the guy’s shirt as he ogles Starship Snoopy.

Tonight it’s back on the Da Bus for another trip into Sturgis for dinner at a steak house (hopefully). Last night we snagged some yummy chicken on a stick under an outdoor canopy while the storm moved into town. We got a bit damp, but Frank still managed to ford the gutter deluge and scamper up the steps of the Victory dealer. He sat on a couple of the bikes, and it was love, love, love. Wow! These bikes have class! We miss all of you and would very much like to hear from you by email at fjdmjr@cox.net or ckdelmonte@cox.net Peanut found the love of his life at the trailer next door. She’s a sweet Yorkie and the two of them can’t seem to get enough of each other. Love from Frankie, the Biker Chick, and Romeo the puppy.