Day 21 (Sunday, July 10th) - Leaving Wyoming for South Dakota

Lusk Wyoming to Hot Springs, South Dakota:  92 Miles:

After  a great evening at the "Legend of Rawhide" Pageant in Lusk, WY, we arose early for 91 mile ride to the Black Hills of South Dakota and our lodging in the city of Hot Springs.   It was hot all day with crosswinds, headwinds and tailwinds, but we saw some great scenery as we left the eastern plains of Wyoming and headed into the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Here are some pictures of the day:


Departing Lusk in the morning - the Stage Coach Museum


Barry on a lonely country road (no cars)


Except for the America by Bicycle SAG Van.  We are supported by 3 SAG vans that carry baggage, provide water, mechanical support, 2-3 SAG stops each day, and directions or guidance regarding the route.   The staff is just outstanding.   They treat us like family.  This is a very well supported tour.


Wild Sunflowers on the roadway.   We are beginning to see the Ponderosa Pines on the distant hills as we approach the Black Hills of South Dakota.


A morning break - The Black Rocket taking a short rest


Eastern Wyoming, the Black Hills of South Dakota in the distance


Barry and I at the South Dakota State Line.  It's hard to see in this pic, but some marksman has shot out the eyes of presidents in the Mt Rushmore sign.  It seems to me this was the same sign that we passed when we were last here 20 years ago.


Group Picture as we enter South Dakota


Tractors raking and baling hay


A long downhill as we approach the Black Hills


The Cheyenne River in the Town of Edgemont - 25 miles more to go today.  Edgemont is 1502 miles from Washington DC (we are getting closer to home)


The long climb of the day as we depart Edgemont and enter the Black Hills


The Black Hills of SD.  The Black Hills is an area in western South Dakota about 125 miles by 70 miles that is an ecological mix of Rocky Mountains and Great Plains.  The Ponderosa Pine trees on the peaks of the hills appear black from a distance.   This was a favorite area of the Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux Indians (the tribe of Sitting Bull) and other Native American tribes who wintered in this region.


White Line Fever late in the Day.  This is late in the day with the major climbs behind us.   Barry and I are racing towards Hot Springs, SD for dinner and lodging.   We call this "white line fever" as the painted line is usually the smoothest part of the road and place one can go the fastest.   Late in the day, we are like horses heading toward the barn.

We arrived in Hot Springs, SD at 4:30 pm.   Hot Springs is a scenic little hill town on the edge of the great National Parks in Western South Dakota.   We have an early nite tonight in preparation for a long awaited ride thru Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Monument.

More tomorrow,
Love to All,
ME