Badlands or bust
 

Barring any last minute emergencies, I'm off on a whirlwind tour of the central US, pivoting at the Badlands National Park in SD. I usually prefer to ad lib my route on trips like this (one trip to Albuquerque I ended up in Puerto Penasco Mexico). I will be posting a few pics and comments as I go along, depending on internet availability. :ping:

The planned route

Day 1 will be Monday.

I'm very casual about planning a trip. most of anything you forget can be picked up anywhere in the country. Thank you, Wal-Mart. :up: But, I'll be packing the laptop (wish I had one of those small tablets now).

Update 4/22/12: I'm going to attempt to draw the route as I go using Google Maps. I will update as I go in the thread.

Cheers
Neal

"Understood, captain. I will track your progress from right here."

http://images.wikia.com/memoryalpha/...ck_watches.jpg

Watch out for plasma storms and gravitational anomalies!

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/527...dsrunabout.jpg

If you're doing the whirlwind tour of SD, there's:

• Sturgis:D
• Wall Drug
• Corn Palace in Mitchell
• that little rock carving thingy

If you don't mind riding further, you could swing over to MT and see the Custer Battlefield.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScG_J...eature=related

Just watch out for this guy.
http://i.current.com/images/asset/904/800/48/rJW0x.jpg

Neal, I noticed Sturgis is NOT on the route?:haha:

What? I am that guy.



You bet it isn't :arrgh!:

Check the weather reports before heading into that leg to Steamboat Springs. The Rocky Mountains still get some nasty snows this time of year, but the forecast for the next 5 days or so is warm and clear.

Example: Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mtn Natl Park isn't even scheduled to be open until May 25th

In some ways Neal you ride for all of us. Try not to let us down Buddy.:O:




http://www.lolgallery.com/wp-content...motorcycle.jpg

Skybird
 

Note to myself: it's not the Lyrids, it's Neal.

If you are into caves, the Rapid City area gives you the chance to go in to both limestone and crystal caves (on opposite sides of the mountain)

And if spleothems are an interest, in one of the limestone caves there is a helicite which is a rarity in the US.:yeah:

Have a nice trip!:D

That's one way to be seen. :salute:

Badlands National Monument. Proving once again that we Americans will memorialize just about anything! :DL

The Badlands are cool. You turn off the freeway, go a half a mile and the scenery is as if you left earth and are on the moon. :rock:

Hey Neal, if you have a stop in or around KC let me know! However, if you're driving through I understand that too!

Safe travels, skipper. Bring us back a T-shirt. :salute:

Hi Chad, I may be going through KC, I'll let you know. Like I said, on trips like this, I fully let my whims choose my route. I have been know to spend 8 hours riding country roads and only make 160 miles.

Trip Update: Preplanning (if you can call it that) is underway. V-Strom oil checked, new rear tire added.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5536



New power outlet added, along with a state of the art GPS system (above the gauges)
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/pict...pictureid=5537

Enjoy the trip Neal. Make sure you test ride that compass. I've seen them get very jumpy when going over rough terrain.:D

http://i2.listal.com/image/1640285/6...nty)-cover.jpg
:woot: