Thanks for the photos, nice trip !
Almost a journey .. :sunny:

Day 3
Thanks for the comments, guys. It's almost like you're riding along with me.

Well, the last two days have been very fun, lots of backroads exploring and great twisty riding. This morning I decided I better make some progress, so I lit the warp drives and lunged into South Dakota.

I just got in to the Motel 6 in Mitchell, SD, I'm going to grab something to eat. I'll upload my pics and write my ride report in a bit.

BRB

Sounds good Neal! You're doing good :yeah:

If you stop around Kansas City let me know. I'm actually about an hour north of the metropolitan area in a small city, large town called Saint Joseph, where Jesse James was shot!

http://www.ci.st-joseph.mo.us/history/jessejames.cfm

Here's the longitude/latitude coordinates:

N 39° 45.481 W 094° 47.208

Good luck Neal!

Ah I see you went on through! No problemo, next time then :DL

He did say he engaged the warp drives!:yep:

Blimey that was fast moving Neal. Great pics and updates through mate. :yeah:

Thanks, Grant. :salute:


Day 3, continued.
Time for a quick update, I want to get on the road by 7. I didn't get to complete this last night, I was delayed, more on that in a
minute. ;)

Left Carthgage, MO around 7am. Streaked north through Kansas City and St. Joseph (sorry, Chad, I was already in SD before you posted your
message. You must have missed my earlier post.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...6&postcount=35

Not as many pictures this leg, I wish I had gotten a Go Pro setup on my helemt where I could snap pics as I ride. There were many really
neat things to see; the Christopher S. Bond bridge on N71 out of KC, terraced farming in Iowa, and so many homes and churches with neat
architecture.

Weird bridge statues in Omaha, Nebraska
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5580

I stopped a few times for pics, and I went to the Mid America Air Museum in Sioux City, but as Stevens Luck would have it,
they are CLOSED on WEDNESDAYs. Grrr. Anyway, I took a pic of one of the planes. Anyone familiar with this model?
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5583

Outside of Omaha, I was getting gas and postcards at a truck stop. When I went to leave, I heard a Harley pulling in behind me. I didn't
pay any attention to it (ya seen one million doo-rag'ed geezers on Harleys, ya seen 'em enough already).I was about to throw my leg over
the Strom when I heard a voice say, "Do you have any tools?"

A female voice. Here we go.

I turned and it was a Harley biker chick, with stuff sticking out of her lip and the necessary tatoos, etc. Sigh. She had another chick
with her, I guess they were buddies. Well, Harley or not, I am always ready to lend a hand for another motorcycle rider (I know Harley
riders, they will definitely do the same for me--honest, no sarcasm here). I asked what the problem was. She said that her shifter fell
off. I looked and yes, her hee-to-toe shifter mechanism had come off the pivot, and was dangling by the linkage rod. I said, yes, I have
tools, let me get them.

I carry my tools under the seat of my Suzuki. So, I had to unload the gear to get the seat off. I looked for an allen wrench that would fit
her shifter bolt but didn't have the right size. Maybe Harleys aren't metric?

I managed to tap the shifter back onto the pivot enough to help get her started. She could shift, but it would likely come loose again
before long. Maybe it would work long enough for to get to the Harley dealer. While I was adjusting the shifter, she mused, "I wonder why
it fell off?" Me: "I've heard that Harleys vibrate a great deal, that might have something to do with it." Ahh, the eternal joke of stuff
falling off Harleys...

She's brave, I'll say that much for her, asking a Jap bike rider for tools to fix her Harley :) I should probably carry SAE tools for the
Harley riders I meet.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5588


I thought that would be the casual female encounter of my trip.

Iowa
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5585

I looked for the Iowa Welcome Center, and I saw these signs saying it was exit such-n-such. I turned off on one exit but it lead me
straight to a casino. I guess that's Iowa's idea of welcoming out of staters. Maybe that explains the big ?
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5582


I eventually found an Iowa Welcome Center.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5586

Coming into South Dakota from Iowa, the winds began whipping up. At first, it wasn't a big deal, but the wind speed kept increasing until
soon I was getting pushed around a good deal. Passing cars at 80 was taking much of the power the Strom could deliver (it is a 650, after
all). The noise of the wind coming off the shield was tremendous. My mileage went down to 34 mpg).

Along with the wind, I came across a huge wall of brown haze in the distance. It looked like a sandstorm that covered the horizon for
miles. As I grew closer the dust storm narrowed and grew denser. Closer and closer, I could see the source was a tractor going down a road
in a field. I would see this a number of times. Half the top soil in SD must end up in Minnesota.

I stopped north of Sioux City for gas. A guy at the pump asked me where I was from, what kind of bike, etc. He suggested I take road 44
west to Badlands, it would give me a chance to see the small towns and farms. Good idea, so I did. The countryside is almost exclusively
farmland, big massive fields. Most of the fields were either plowed up without any crops growing, or they were cut down after the last
harvest,leaving nothing but endless acres of yellow, dried stubs. I must have come right before the crops were planted. Too bad, I would
have loved to seen oceans of barley and corn, as they are depicted in popular media.

Church in South Dakota, near Parkston.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5584

I have to get me some of that "Toe Service", it sounds crazy good.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5587

Finally, I decided to call it a day after 650 miles. I pulled into the Motel 6 in Mitchell and unloaded my gear. I asked the guy at the
desk where I could get a good cheeseburger, he gave me a city map and circled The Depot. I rode over to a nice-looking place, parked my
bike next to an old Honda Gold Wing, one of the first shaft drive bikes. As I was taking a picture, three women came out and offered to
take the picture with me on the bike, I laughed and said, that's not my bike (feeling like Inspector Clouseu).

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5589



I went inside; it was was a bar, not a diner :( It was noisy, with grown people talking as loudly as they could, laughing at jokes no one really thought were funny, much like children do, Sigh. I asked for a table by the window so I could get enough light to read my book.

I ordered an Angus burger with BBQ sauce and settled into my book. She brought the burger, it was one of those thick beasties that are hard to hold with one hand, so I had to set the book down, take a bite, wipe my face, and pick the book up to read. No big deal. As I was about to finish, my waitress brought a tall drink to my table. I looked up and shook my head, to signify I didn't order this. She said the ladies at that table sent it.

I looked over, there were three women at the table looking at me. WTH? Ok, it was probably because I was wearing motorcycle boots, military pants, and a Fox motorcross jersey, sitting alone and reading a bestseller at a table quietly. I guess I stuck out a bit. But I'm way past my expiration date. I don't do this thing any more. I squinted and removed my reading glasses (yes! I'm so prepared to be cool!) and gave these new friends a lookover. They were nice looking, about my age. Alarm bells started going off in my head. Despite that, being a gentleman, I went over to their table and introduced myself, and in my best Texas drawl, thanked them for the drink (which I had no intention of consuming, I don't drink--which they found screaming funny!). "You're from Texas?" "Where are your friends?" "You rode a motorcyle here alone?" Before long I was one of the pack, talking too loudly and telling jokes I doubt were funny. Let's call it "fitting in". The lady who sent the drink was Heather, she is about 42, and looks a bit like Carmen Diaz with darker hair.

Heather thought I should give her a motorcycle ride--I guess alchohal has that effect on women. What the hell, I gave her a motorcycle ride (what's another 5 miles after today, right?).

Now, coffee and I'm off to Wall Drug, the Badlands, and Mt. Rushmore. Some of you will be getting postcards.

Map Update: South Dakota
Close calls: none
Song of the Day: Move Along - All American Rejects
Philosophical thought: Some things never change, and you still don't recognize them until it's too late.
Dining: The Depot: Angus BBQ burger, salad: B+

Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler if I'm not mistaken.

Good reads, keep it up seems your having a good time there:yeah:

Edit: Whoops, it's actually a Grumman A-6 Intruder (canopy should've given it away )

HunterICX

Whoa there! You get chatted up by a Cameron Diaz look alike called Heather and you give her a ride on your bike and that's all you're gonna tell us???? :o

C'mon Neal stop holding out on us.;)

Seriously, sounds like you are having the time of your life mate.

ROFLMAO :har:

NOOB :DL

Indeed. Stick to yer vintage planes. :O:

I mean, more vintage-y than that one... not exactly state of the art anymore. :roll:

I'm impressed that you stayed in Mitchell S.D. and ignored their one tourist attraction, the famous Corn Palace. :nope:

The big ? made sense to me. If you have any ? about Iowa, visit the Welcome Center.

South Dakota has had casinos now for many, many years. At first they were restricted to the Indian Reservations but recently it seems like there is a small one attached to every truck stop in the state. A sad trend if you ask me.

If you have never been there, I think you'll like the dramatic change of scenery when you hit Badlands.

She wanted a ride alright but I don't think it was the motorcycle she was thinking about. :yep:

Great pics, great commentary.:up:

Go Neal go!

Good on ya Neal, chatting up the girls!!:yeah: Obviously you had a good time there, you just don't know what is installed around the corner!:DL BTW, did you get Heather's address?;)

It is an EA-6A the Prowler before the more famous and numerous EA-6B which was a four seater the A model was two seater.You actually took a very good guess maybe the radome on the tail made you think of the EA-6B and you might not have known of the 2 seat A model.Now you did bomb yourself when you flip flopped and said it was an A-6 they never had a large radome on the tail :D

VAQ mean electronic warefare in Navy air squadron lingo

VAQ-33's page http://www.reenactor.net/vaq-33/vaq-33_history.html


Maybe the same plane in her glory days~late 60's:
http://www.spinningjenny.com/yobbo/n...t_key_west.jpg

Oh yes my guess as to why Neal calls his bike Wendey;He absolutely loves Wenedy's chili and Wendey's have the yellow signs and Neal's bike is yellow or maybe he loves Frosties.:hmmm:

Noo, we'll never hear the end of it now. :nope:

Just found this thread Neal, great read mate. Will be following along from here on out.

Oh, good call on one, but a clean miss on Wendy. I actually throught Sailor Steve would guess that right out of the gate,
him being a music-ian.

Grant, there isn't anything else to tell :O:

So, on to...

Day 4: The Day

Yes, boys, it's been 1400 miles since I last saw an establishment that advertised the services of Thai Massage,
so that means we're well and truly in the hinterland here.

Got up and finished yesterdays glorious ride report, and off at 7am, as planned.

I saw a dinosaur
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5609



Heading west, lots of this
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5592
South Dakota, lots of long straight highway. Missing in the tasteful photo are the thousands of vulgar billboards
advertising Wall Drug, Reptile Garden, Mystery Area, Firetruck Brewery, and every other cheap tourist trap imaginable.


and it was cold,about 43F so this
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5594


At last, this
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5593


and lots of this
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5596

The Park had several trails and walkways where you could venture out into the park, it was great.


http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5595


Ok, a few more shots of the Badlands, and then if you want more, check other online sources,
they pretty much look the same, I don't want to bore you:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5597

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5598


http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5599

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5600


Those Indians weren't as eco-friendly as you thought!
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5602


After a few hours meandering though the park, I lit out for Wall Drug, next stop on the way to Rapid City. Ok, Wall Drug:
I don't want to sound cynical, but it's not really worth stopping for. After 1307 billboards, it's simply a big, gauche
Wal-Mart sized tourist souvenir shop. Tons of stuff packed into about 20 little rooms with quaint corridors connecting
them. I mean, it is what it is, but I spent about 8 minutes and saw all I wanted to see.

What Wall Drug did for me, it caused me to forget to go by and see the Minutemen Missile Silo display :(
When I walked out of WD, it was trying to rain and there were some little snow flakes falling, and
I was halfway to Rapid City when I realized that.

So, next stop of Mount Rushmore:
The first glimpse
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5603

The closeup view from the park center (aka the view you get for $11 parking fee)
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5604

Very impressive, it is so cool to see this in real life.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5605



Afterwards, I toured the Custer State Park for a few hours--more windy roads, epic vistas, and cool air.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5606



I saw some buffalo
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5607

They were closer that you think!
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5608

But I guess they are tame like park squirrels, none of my taunts had any effect.